Ask the Author: Mark J. Engels
Answered Questions (6)
Mark J. Engels
Yes, those scenes or chapters where seemingly every one of my story's plot threads are hopelessly bound up into a Gordian Knot. Having worked through a couple of them now, I've come to trust my characters will reveal their story to me in due time. What helps me give them the space they need to do so is to start writing another part of the story far removed from the problem area's characters, settings and dramatic elements. After referring to my outlines, of course, to help keep me focused on the longer arcs. Progress in different part of the story frequently affords me clarity and insight to address the problem area in an organic and satisfying manner.
Mark J. Engels
The next paranormal sci-fi thriller novel in my werecat family saga series.
Mark J. Engels
Writing the book I wanted to *read* but couldn't find. Or as Toni Morrison first said so eloquently:
“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/321-...
“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/321-...
Mark J. Engels
My novel’s origins go back to a plot outline I’d worked up for an anthro artist whose characters I’d come to love. Trying to launch a webcomic he’d publicly bemoaned lacking a firm grasp of his antagonist’s motivations, so I thought I’d help him out. We sat down at a convention together and went through the outline. When I finished he told me “it’s a great story, but it’s not *my* story” and that was that.
Or so I thought. My muse she be a werecat, you see. She showed up one night on a job site shortly afterward and started shredding away at the inside of my head. Without even having decency enough to tell me her name. Jerk.
I would learn her name was Pawly, and that claws and fangs help her make a very convincing argument indeed. She wasn’t going to let me NOT write. She wanted her story told, wanted her family’s story told. And I was the one she’d sought out to tell it. Whether I thought I was ready to or not.
Or so I thought. My muse she be a werecat, you see. She showed up one night on a job site shortly afterward and started shredding away at the inside of my head. Without even having decency enough to tell me her name. Jerk.
I would learn her name was Pawly, and that claws and fangs help her make a very convincing argument indeed. She wasn’t going to let me NOT write. She wanted her story told, wanted her family’s story told. And I was the one she’d sought out to tell it. Whether I thought I was ready to or not.
Mark J. Engels
I seek to enshrine those parts of my past I myself don’t want to forget. Like growing up amongst Polish-Americans near Detroit. My love for Great Lakes lore and legend. Staring out at the passing countryside through a big rig’s windshield. Practice in and appreciation for traditional Korean fighting arts. My long-time fascination with anime, manga and anthropomorphics was what ultimately inspired me to take up writing genre fiction. I felt compelled to create content after having consumed it for so long.
Mark J. Engels
“Cast not thy pearls before swine.” Carefully discern just whom you can trust your book baby to while you're seeking feedback in the writing and editing phase.
When benchmarking other author's books, careers, successes, failures, etc., recognize that what worked for "them/there/then" may or might well not work for "you/here/now." Many points of view are worth considering, but only a few are worth acting upon. Or ought to be.
When benchmarking other author's books, careers, successes, failures, etc., recognize that what worked for "them/there/then" may or might well not work for "you/here/now." Many points of view are worth considering, but only a few are worth acting upon. Or ought to be.
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