Ask the Author: Erin L. Jungdahl
Answered Questions (7)
Erin L. Jungdahl
Oh my gosh, my to be read pile is ridiculous. And I keep finding more books because I listen to some really awesome book podcasts. These are just a few of the books on my list
-By Moonrise from Jackie Dana
-The Governess Affair from Courtney Milan
-Nefertiti's Heart from A.W. Exley
-Night of a Thousand Stars from Deanna Raybourn
-Vanished from N.V. Baker
-By Moonrise from Jackie Dana
-The Governess Affair from Courtney Milan
-Nefertiti's Heart from A.W. Exley
-Night of a Thousand Stars from Deanna Raybourn
-Vanished from N.V. Baker
Erin L. Jungdahl
Taylor Swift's music video for "Bad Blood" had just come out and I was riding the metro to work when I had an idea for a spy novel. I never anticipated that the story would unfold as it did but I think that's for the best. What's the fun of writing a novel if you already know exactly how it's going to play out?
Erin L. Jungdahl
I read. A lot. Books, blogs, news articles, they've all inspired me to write. In fact, inspiration is perhaps the easiest part of the writing process. It's when I'm revising a manuscript that I really feel compelled to start a new project.
I keep a file on my computer for ideas and whichever ones hit me over the head the most get a place on my production schedule.
I keep a file on my computer for ideas and whichever ones hit me over the head the most get a place on my production schedule.
Erin L. Jungdahl
I'm finishing up a contemporary romantic comedy novel. I've found myself laughing hysterically alone at my keyboard over things that have happened to the characters and how they've responded to the trials I've put them through. I can't wait to publish it, I think people will really get a kick out of it.
Erin L. Jungdahl
Writing is an exercise in persistence. It's a matter of putting black on white (ink on paper/pixels on the screen/words into a microphone, however you like to write) until you have a complete draft. You can't edit a blank sheet of paper, once you have a draft, then you can tear it to bits but first you need to finish.
DO NOT get wrapped around different writing rules and tips. Everybody's thought processes, situations and goals are different. Come up with a system that works for you and you can bypass all the guilt and shame that stops people from writing because they think they need to do like some writing guru says they should.
DO NOT get wrapped around different writing rules and tips. Everybody's thought processes, situations and goals are different. Come up with a system that works for you and you can bypass all the guilt and shame that stops people from writing because they think they need to do like some writing guru says they should.
Erin L. Jungdahl
You can write the stories you want to read. You don't need anyone's permission to try. You can just go for it, even if you only have time to write in five minute bursts.
Erin L. Jungdahl
I don't think of writer's block as some creative stoppage, I think it's more like a kind of anxiety. Like if you want to write the next great American novel but you don't know how, it's easy to become paralyzed with fear. Accept that you're not going to get it right on the first try.
Write the crummy first draft and then walk away from it for a while. Come back when you've had a chance to get some perspective and edit until you can't stand to look at it any more. It's never going to be totally perfect so don't hold out until it is. Get other people's perspective and make the changes you think are appropriate. When you have at least a competent book, put it out into the world and move on to the next project.
Write the crummy first draft and then walk away from it for a while. Come back when you've had a chance to get some perspective and edit until you can't stand to look at it any more. It's never going to be totally perfect so don't hold out until it is. Get other people's perspective and make the changes you think are appropriate. When you have at least a competent book, put it out into the world and move on to the next project.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more