Ask the Author: Rebecca McLaughlin
Answered Questions (6)
Rebecca McLaughlin
I did something similar when I was in high school! I committed to writing a book before I graduated. Of course, this was only after I'd already started writing one. Before then, I'd done mostly short stories and poetry. I knew I wanted to write a book *someday* but I didn't know how soon that would be until I wrote a short story that suddenly had enough behind it to write a whole book.
Once I started, it took my a couple years, and I literally finished it at 7AM the day before my graduation ceremony. I stayed up all night in a flurry finishing it, because nothing inspires like a deadline. But at the same time, I was always playing a long game. I knew that writing a book was something I could power through and do (even if the first draft was a hot atrocity). The reason I share this is because the best way I learned was to just dive in and do it, and to also share that deadlines can be both helpful and intimidating. However much time it takes to get that first book done, or even if you cycle through a couple ideas before you land on one that's 'worthy' of a longer story, don't be too hard on yourself!
On to some specific advice:
1 - You don't have to have everything perfect in the first draft. This means that you can focus on the aspects of the story that speak strongly to you, such as characters & plot, and then do a round of revisions where you bring the worldbuilding up to snuff.
2 - Try to make an outline or synopsis. If you have a lot of ideas, then the biggest risk is getting sidetracked to a different idea once you hit your first roadblock. Not all ideas will survive into books, but it can be all too easy to look at the greener grass on the other side of the fence and think something else will be easier. Both sides of the fence are going to come with their own difficulties. Everything is less-than-green on close inspection. So, if you pick an idea, do your best to see it through.
3 - When it comes to worldbuilding, it's okay if you discover it WHILE you write. You don't need it to be perfect at the outset (sensing a theme here yet?). In a first draft, feel free to make all the "rookie mistakes." Have info-dumps at the beginning of chapters as you need them, have jarring transitions between scenes, and over-indulge in descriptions when they strike you. Revisions can smooth everything out later, but the first draft has to exist in order to be improved!
Ultimately, writing a book is a lofty goal, and if it brings you joy and a challenge you enjoy that helps you grow, I wish you the best!
Once I started, it took my a couple years, and I literally finished it at 7AM the day before my graduation ceremony. I stayed up all night in a flurry finishing it, because nothing inspires like a deadline. But at the same time, I was always playing a long game. I knew that writing a book was something I could power through and do (even if the first draft was a hot atrocity). The reason I share this is because the best way I learned was to just dive in and do it, and to also share that deadlines can be both helpful and intimidating. However much time it takes to get that first book done, or even if you cycle through a couple ideas before you land on one that's 'worthy' of a longer story, don't be too hard on yourself!
On to some specific advice:
1 - You don't have to have everything perfect in the first draft. This means that you can focus on the aspects of the story that speak strongly to you, such as characters & plot, and then do a round of revisions where you bring the worldbuilding up to snuff.
2 - Try to make an outline or synopsis. If you have a lot of ideas, then the biggest risk is getting sidetracked to a different idea once you hit your first roadblock. Not all ideas will survive into books, but it can be all too easy to look at the greener grass on the other side of the fence and think something else will be easier. Both sides of the fence are going to come with their own difficulties. Everything is less-than-green on close inspection. So, if you pick an idea, do your best to see it through.
3 - When it comes to worldbuilding, it's okay if you discover it WHILE you write. You don't need it to be perfect at the outset (sensing a theme here yet?). In a first draft, feel free to make all the "rookie mistakes." Have info-dumps at the beginning of chapters as you need them, have jarring transitions between scenes, and over-indulge in descriptions when they strike you. Revisions can smooth everything out later, but the first draft has to exist in order to be improved!
Ultimately, writing a book is a lofty goal, and if it brings you joy and a challenge you enjoy that helps you grow, I wish you the best!
Rebecca McLaughlin
One of the best things about being a writer is that I always have something to do when I'm bored. Writing, reading, revising, brainstorming, planning, plotting... there's so much that goes into being a writer and author that I can always direct my energies toward this wonderful activity that I love to do.
Unless I don't feel like it or if I'm on a deadline. Then it can be a bit stressful.😅
Unless I don't feel like it or if I'm on a deadline. Then it can be a bit stressful.😅
Rebecca McLaughlin
This answer contains spoilers…
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Rebecca McLaughlin
There's so much advice that I can't possibly condense it here, except for a couple highlights that I keep returning to:
- Whenever you're inspired, act on it. Even if it's a different project.
- Keep writing. You don't have to do it every day at the exact time, but you need to keep doing it in order to improve.
- A finished first draft is more valuable than a perfect first chapter. You can't revise what doesn't exist.
And enjoy! Writing can be a hobby for fun or a career. Whatever it is to you, try to always enjoy it!!
- Whenever you're inspired, act on it. Even if it's a different project.
- Keep writing. You don't have to do it every day at the exact time, but you need to keep doing it in order to improve.
- A finished first draft is more valuable than a perfect first chapter. You can't revise what doesn't exist.
And enjoy! Writing can be a hobby for fun or a career. Whatever it is to you, try to always enjoy it!!
Rebecca McLaughlin
As of now, NAMELESS QUEEN is just a standalone, which means there's only one book. There are, of course, some threads that are left open in the end. This is done for a couple reasons--one is that if there does end up being a second book, it gives me something to work with and some secrets to explore :) Another reason is that I love when stories feel just a bit open-ended. Just like real life, we know that the story continues on even after the last page.
I'm glad you liked the acknowledgements! I had a laugh writing them as well <3
I'm glad you liked the acknowledgements! I had a laugh writing them as well <3
Rebecca McLaughlin
There are many ways to deal with writer's block! Sometimes, you skip whatever is causing you trouble. (I'm working on my second book right now, and I've definitely skipped a couple chapters when I was at risk of getting stuck there.) The biggest thing is to try not to get stuck. Keep working at it, but come from a different angle. Sometimes, you go with brute force, using an outline or talking it out with someone. Sometimes, you need a brief break so you can step back and get the bigger picture—just be careful that when you take a break from it, you're still leaving the door open to let your mind mull it over in the background. A break can easily become a permanent departure, but even if that's the case, you can always work on something new! Not everything you start will get finished. Just keep writing!
<3
<3
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