Ask the Author: H.A. Callum
Answered Questions (7)
H.A. Callum
What will set you apart from the crowd is actually writing. Sounds silly, right? It’s easy to get distracted, and writing is such a solitary pursuit that we alone are left to hold ourselves accountable to getting words down on the page. My first piece of advice: set aside dedicated time to write every day. Tune out the distractions and write. Thirty minutes a day over a handful of months will generate enormous content: multiple short stories, plenty of poems, or even a large portion of a novel. It is possible if you are committed!
My second piece of advice ties in with the first. Writing is such a solitary pursuit that any aspiring writer should network. I would suggest finding a local writers group where you can get feedback on your work, learn a bit more about craft, and get the encouragement you need to continue. Misery loves company, and if writing is your favorite cup, you have to find a local writers group. You know what else? There’s always social media, too. But don’t let it distract you from your dedicated writing time. And feel free to find me on Twitter (@HA_Callum) or on Facebook (@theauthorcallum) – I’m always looking to connect with other writers and readers!
My second piece of advice ties in with the first. Writing is such a solitary pursuit that any aspiring writer should network. I would suggest finding a local writers group where you can get feedback on your work, learn a bit more about craft, and get the encouragement you need to continue. Misery loves company, and if writing is your favorite cup, you have to find a local writers group. You know what else? There’s always social media, too. But don’t let it distract you from your dedicated writing time. And feel free to find me on Twitter (@HA_Callum) or on Facebook (@theauthorcallum) – I’m always looking to connect with other writers and readers!
H.A. Callum
I’m always writing, but things are very exciting right now, with multiple projects going. Two more novels are in the early drafting stages, multiple pieces of poetry are on submission (with more being written), and several short stories are in various stages of completion. As they say, there’s never a dull moment!
But here’s a twist: I’ll turn this question back to the reader. What would you like to see from me in the near future? Any requests?
But here’s a twist: I’ll turn this question back to the reader. What would you like to see from me in the near future? Any requests?
H.A. Callum
That’s tough to pin down – there are so many literary destinations I would love to see. One of my favorite classic tales is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. To venture into the forest and Green Chapel would be an exciting adventure, as would be experiencing medieval life. As a matter of fact, any settings in the Arthurian legends would be great destinations. For a somewhat more modern twist, I’d enjoy a day in Thomas Hardy’s Wessex, and see how it compares to modern Dorset, see what landmarks have survived the test of time, and walk in the shoes of his characters for a day. As you’ve probably guessed by now, I am a huge fan of British Literature!
H.A. Callum
What I love most about being a writer is the freedom that comes along with writing. I can write anywhere, anytime, and technology is not required. I can totally unplug if I choose and focus on writing, or check in on social media while I tap the keyboard and invite others into the experience. Anywhere I go, inspiration can be found, and I can draw on that energy to craft words into a story. There’s nothing else like it.
H.A. Callum
I see writer’s block to be more of a symptom, a creative fatigue, than its own unique problem. When the creative process hits a roadblock, that’s what I imagine writer’s block to be. I liken it to “hitting the wall” on a long run. The reserves are zapped, and the writer has to dig deep to find the strength to carry on – fuel for the mind in this instance. When I hit that point I step away from the pen and do the things that recharge my creative energies: take a walk, go for a run, or get myself into a coffee shop or some other place where I can observe people and be a student of the human condition. Sometimes a simple few moments in silence with nature is all it takes. I’d love to hear what other writers think, and how they overcome this obstacle!
H.A. Callum
I know there are many romantic notions of writers and writing out there. The truth is many writers, including myself, do not wait for inspiration to strike. If we did, lonely notebooks would be filling the shelves of bookstores. It’s not always easy to sit in your chair and commit words to paper, but in the end that is what it takes to be a writer. But what is the greatest inspiration for keeping me in the seat? Hearing from my readers, and knowing that the words I am about to string together are being heard and taken to heart.
H.A. Callum
"Whispers in the Alders" was one of those stories that had been in my mind for quite some time. When I came to commit this story to paper, timing was perfect as it was the story that needed to be told when it was told. Most of the inspiration centered upon Celtic mythology for Alder trees, which became the leading focal symbolism point in the novel. From there, my imagination took control over weaving Aubrey and Tommy’s coming of age tale.
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