Ask the Author: Mark Bardwell
Answered Questions (4)
Mark Bardwell
I'm currently working on children's book number two. It involves mysterious robots, and I'm not going to say any more than that!
Mark Bardwell
Write. Read. Write. Read. Write. Read. x infinity.
That's the best thing you can do. Read all sorts of stories, read about history, read about science, read poetry, read everything. The more you do, the more you understand stories and how they're told, and the more things you have to write about. And the more you write, the better you get.
Also, go for long walks and look at everything around you. There's inspiration everywhere. Anything from the shape of a cloud, a gnarly tree that looks like a person to a peculiar old building can inspire an idea. And listen to people - people are full of all sorts of stories and experiences.
That's the best thing you can do. Read all sorts of stories, read about history, read about science, read poetry, read everything. The more you do, the more you understand stories and how they're told, and the more things you have to write about. And the more you write, the better you get.
Also, go for long walks and look at everything around you. There's inspiration everywhere. Anything from the shape of a cloud, a gnarly tree that looks like a person to a peculiar old building can inspire an idea. And listen to people - people are full of all sorts of stories and experiences.
Mark Bardwell
Hearing stories about readers getting lost in your book! I remember getting so absorbed in books that the teacher had to call out my name five or six times before I would be dragged back to the real world. When I hear about young readers having that experience with my own writing, it warms me up, write down to my toes.
Just as good is when you're writing, and you get so involved with the story that it stops feeling like you're in control, and more like the words are flowing through you. Almost as if they're being channeled from somewhere in the ether.
Just as good is when you're writing, and you get so involved with the story that it stops feeling like you're in control, and more like the words are flowing through you. Almost as if they're being channeled from somewhere in the ether.
Mark Bardwell
One way to deal with writer's block is to just write anyway. If you're feeling intimidated by that scary blank page coming up in your story, sometimes it's good to put it to one side and write something for the sake of it - without thinking about what it is, who it's for or what its purpose is. Just try and let your subconscious straight out of your brain and through your hand. Don't let any pesky thoughts get in the way. It can be remarkably liberating and fun. It loosens up those writing muscles, and might just make you wonder what you were scared of when you return to that blank page. And you might come away with a few new story ideas too.
The other thing to do, if you're really not in the mood to write, is to do something else instead. Doodle, read, bake a cake, build a time machine... or (my favourite) - go for a walk. Something about walking around outside and taking in your surroundings frees up the thinking cogs in your brain. Take a notebook in case a sudden flash of inspiration strikes.
The other thing to do, if you're really not in the mood to write, is to do something else instead. Doodle, read, bake a cake, build a time machine... or (my favourite) - go for a walk. Something about walking around outside and taking in your surroundings frees up the thinking cogs in your brain. Take a notebook in case a sudden flash of inspiration strikes.
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