Ask the Author: Travis Jackson
Answered Questions (7)
Travis Jackson
The Arachnidclown crawled out from the sewer with a knife in its tentacle hand. With a smile on its gils, it stabbed the boy between the eyes.
Travis Jackson
I have many writing projects going on right now, so it's just a competition among them to see which gets completed first. I have a couple of novels, many short stories and some resource guides to help Veterans and their families. Having spent five years on active duty in the Marine Corps and working with Veterans groups since getting out, most of my writing has a Marine Corps or military theme to it.
Travis Jackson
My first (and therefore most recent published book) Through Many A Strife, was inspired by actual events of a Marine that I was in charge of. Of course, as is the case with "based on actual events", I have taken some literary license, expanded the story with things that are not 100% accurate, but close enough to make the story a bit better. Even still, the story was accurate enough to bring out the bad memories that he wanted to have told.
Travis Jackson
Read, wRite, Review. Those three "R"s will help keep your mind in the literary world. By reading other books you will see different writing styles and be able to see which might work best for you.
If an idea comes to you, write it then and there. In this era of technology, it is easy to be able to get the idea down. Getting it written out on your tablet or laptop is usually easiest, as most people can type faster than they write. Don't worry at first about the grammar or spelling, just get the idea out there. You can perfect the finer points and expand the idea later, just get what's in your mind down before it goes away.
When you read it will help for you to review as well. Tell the good, the bad and the ugly about the story that you have just read. This will help you to think of what you do and dont want in your own writing. If you enjoyed a certain aspect of a story or a writer's style, chances are someone else did as well.
If an idea comes to you, write it then and there. In this era of technology, it is easy to be able to get the idea down. Getting it written out on your tablet or laptop is usually easiest, as most people can type faster than they write. Don't worry at first about the grammar or spelling, just get the idea out there. You can perfect the finer points and expand the idea later, just get what's in your mind down before it goes away.
When you read it will help for you to review as well. Tell the good, the bad and the ugly about the story that you have just read. This will help you to think of what you do and dont want in your own writing. If you enjoyed a certain aspect of a story or a writer's style, chances are someone else did as well.
Travis Jackson
Writer's block is a challenging thing for anyone, from some youngster in school trying to get through a paper, to a writer who has been pouring out the tales for a long time and each person has their own way of dealing with it. For me, I will put on some music or watch something on TV. Having the distraction of some background noise will allow my ADD to kick in and the barrage of ideas will give me something that I can use.
Travis Jackson
I have been through many great events in my life and and I know that people have enjoyed hearing them. Being able to bring enjoyment to readers is a great inspiration.
Travis Jackson
For me, the best part of being a writer is being able to get the stories out of my head and to a place where readers can enjoy it.
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