Ask the Author: J.M. Lawler
Answered Questions (8)
J.M. Lawler
With regards to how I decide which narrative is better, my work is predominantly character-driven so the narrative is derived from this focus. Much of the action is based in the internal landscape, the desires and needs of the characters, their choices and the impact of those choices.
The fictional medieval backdrop frames the characters in a time and place. What really interests me is the impact of events on the individuals in the story.
As for the outline...The River and the Ravages was written very organically. I didn't have a set plan for the story. The characters took me where the story needed to go. Book 2 which is a sequel, has a clear outline. I have deadlines this time!
And writing block is truly a luxury I can't afford. I fit writing in whenever I have pockets of time (I have a regular job!) and when I sit down to write, I bloody well make it count.
Thanks for your question Tonima.
xx
Jann
The fictional medieval backdrop frames the characters in a time and place. What really interests me is the impact of events on the individuals in the story.
As for the outline...The River and the Ravages was written very organically. I didn't have a set plan for the story. The characters took me where the story needed to go. Book 2 which is a sequel, has a clear outline. I have deadlines this time!
And writing block is truly a luxury I can't afford. I fit writing in whenever I have pockets of time (I have a regular job!) and when I sit down to write, I bloody well make it count.
Thanks for your question Tonima.
xx
Jann
J.M. Lawler
Lovely feedback Ann. Put a big smile on my face. Hope you enjoy it.
xxx Jann
xxx Jann
J.M. Lawler
Absolute pleasure Dawn. All the best. xx
J.M. Lawler
Access to my own mind.
J.M. Lawler
- It takes time. Are there some solitary hours involved in this business...!
- Write what you want and what you love. You're stuck with it for a long time.
- Ditch perfection. It's no friend of yours.
- Approach the whole damn enterprise like a small child: curious, unburdened, full of possibilities.
- Invest in an editor. Family and friends are not enough.
- Write what you want and what you love. You're stuck with it for a long time.
- Ditch perfection. It's no friend of yours.
- Approach the whole damn enterprise like a small child: curious, unburdened, full of possibilities.
- Invest in an editor. Family and friends are not enough.
J.M. Lawler
The next book, of course! It's an absolute joy to be back in this space. The journey has just begun...
J.M. Lawler
I don't have the luxury of waiting until I'm inspired to write. I simply write because I have a pocket of time to do so.
J.M. Lawler
I've always had it in my mind that it would be great to read a story of two women who find a way to step away from their lives (Thelma and Louise style) but in a mythical medieval setting. And so launched by journey into writing the book I wanted to read.
For the fun of it I thought it would be good to have it (partially) as an erotic journey. So I sat down one day and wrote a dismally inept sex scene. Really cringe worthy. And then I wrote more and more. I started to care about the people I was writing about. I wanted to know what they wanted, what their deepest source of pain was, their greatest joy, their most deeply hidden secrets.
Those early scenes, I'd like to add, will never see the light of day. But what it did lead to was better writing of women and the complexities they face.
For the fun of it I thought it would be good to have it (partially) as an erotic journey. So I sat down one day and wrote a dismally inept sex scene. Really cringe worthy. And then I wrote more and more. I started to care about the people I was writing about. I wanted to know what they wanted, what their deepest source of pain was, their greatest joy, their most deeply hidden secrets.
Those early scenes, I'd like to add, will never see the light of day. But what it did lead to was better writing of women and the complexities they face.
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