Ask the Author: Marlee Pagels
Answered Questions (4)
Marlee Pagels
The general setting/superpower system for STRONGMAN had been floating around in the back of my head for so long I couldn't tell you what inspired it. As interesting as this league of women with super-strength seemed, I didn't have a plot until Otoya came along. The basic ideas that came together to form my protagonist were "goes to extreme measures to push people away due to painfully high introversion" and "an unreasonably buff calligrapher." (Don't ask me why the second one was in my head in the first place. These things just happen sometimes.)
Marlee Pagels
There is no such thing as an aspiring writer. If you write, you're a writer. You don't have to be famous, or have a bestseller, or be published, or even be any good. That being said, any and all writers can still improve one way or another, so read—on writing, for leisure, for research in genres you enjoy. Above all, just keep writing.
Marlee Pagels
I'm churning out the first draft of STRONGMAN. It's a bit of a genre-masher, but YA is the best label. A socially awkward superpowered teen gets kidnapped for research purposes and ends up in the middle of a chain of murders instead. IN SPACE. In all seriousness, I'm having a lot of fun with this one. Awkward protagonist, wacky supporting characters, and murder. What more could I want?
Marlee Pagels
I have to at least TRY to get some words down. No one is thoroughly inspired every moment of every day, so novels aren't going to get written if I give up any time the words aren't flowing like canola oil. That being said, if I've managed to get down about fourteen words two hours in, forcing it isn't the solution. If I've exhausted myself of material, then it's time to find some more. Read novels, read articles, talk to a friend, draw something, watch an episode or two of an anime (no marathons, though!)—all of these can provide a break and give me more ideas to work with.
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