Ask the Author: Madison Louise
Answered Questions (5)
Madison Louise
1. Set smaller goals. Even just writing one word or sentence a day until inspiration returns will keep the story progressing.
2. Brainstorm. Sometimes I get writers block because I don't know where I want to go from here or I get stuck coming up with a filler before another main event. Jotting down ideas for future plot twists and just the storyline in general can give some ideas for something seemingly insignificant to aid a major point later.
3. Think about the story just as I'm going to bed. Unfortunately, it's really bad timing because you're tired and probably have to get up for work the next day, but it's when my brain seems to be most active and comes up with the best plot twists and ideas. I generally keep my phone by my side for those moments of insomniac inspiration
4. Read or watch similar content. I don't mean take other people's ideas directly, but find what you like about something in particular and see if you can incorporate it into your own work. It sometimes inspires me to write my next scene.
5. Take a break. Sometimes you need to leave what you're working on until you get inspiration; but that doesn't mean you need to abandon the story or writing forever. I find that working on other stories; even just a short story while writing a novel, will get my head racing with ideas out of the blue and I'll be back in business; furiously typing away
That's just some of the things I do, though it varies.
2. Brainstorm. Sometimes I get writers block because I don't know where I want to go from here or I get stuck coming up with a filler before another main event. Jotting down ideas for future plot twists and just the storyline in general can give some ideas for something seemingly insignificant to aid a major point later.
3. Think about the story just as I'm going to bed. Unfortunately, it's really bad timing because you're tired and probably have to get up for work the next day, but it's when my brain seems to be most active and comes up with the best plot twists and ideas. I generally keep my phone by my side for those moments of insomniac inspiration
4. Read or watch similar content. I don't mean take other people's ideas directly, but find what you like about something in particular and see if you can incorporate it into your own work. It sometimes inspires me to write my next scene.
5. Take a break. Sometimes you need to leave what you're working on until you get inspiration; but that doesn't mean you need to abandon the story or writing forever. I find that working on other stories; even just a short story while writing a novel, will get my head racing with ideas out of the blue and I'll be back in business; furiously typing away
That's just some of the things I do, though it varies.
Madison Louise
The most recent book I published was the short story "Gladiator". It wasn't entirely my decision to write about Roman gladiators, but part of the promotion I ran last year where my fans voted on what they wanted me to write in my next story. They chose an ancient civilisation as the time frame, and that's what gave me the idea of a gladiator theme. I have an interest in ancient history, and have studied archaeology at uni in the past, so I really enjoyed researching and altering my ideas of "Gladiator" to be more suited to history. It is free to read, and can be found on my website.
Madison Louise
Too many projects! I currently have 4 word documents open; two novels, and two short stories. One of the novels is the book that follows "Reaped", and the other is a completely different novel (not ready to give away details yet!). One of the short stories is "Gladiator", which I have been promoting the past few months; and the other is just something else I'm not going to reveal yet.
Madison Louise
Don't give up.
Madison Louise
Being able to get lost in an alternate world the same way as when I'm reading; and living in that same world for much longer than when I'm reading.
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