Ask the Author: Shawn P.B. Robinson
Answered Questions (17)
Shawn P.B. Robinson
I'd love to do that! I actually have a story written and ready to go (and have for years), I just can't find an artist that fits with what I'm looking for!
Have you?
Have you?
Shawn P.B. Robinson
I definitely have an outline before I write! I'm someone who needs a roadmap, otherwise the story goes wild and I can't keep it on track. :) I lay out the idea, then often either most of the chapters or big "movements" in the book and just write one at a time. :)
Shawn P.B. Robinson
I've spoken with a number of authors about this over the years. I think it would be a fun thing to try sometime, but I've never actually moved forward on it.
But I think it would be a blast to do this! Especially if the different authors could all bring something unique to the table. It would allow the final book to be so much more than any author could do on their own!
But I think it would be a blast to do this! Especially if the different authors could all bring something unique to the table. It would allow the final book to be so much more than any author could do on their own!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
I'm kind of in a bit of a weird spot right now...
I just finished the fourth book in a new series I'm hoping to come out with, and I've outlined the fifth (and I believe the final) book in the series, but I'm not ready to write it yet. It's still missing some of the detail I need to write the story.
I'm also working on puting together a version of Pilgrim's Progress, written by John Bunyan in the 17th century.
And... oh, there's so many books to write... and, I've got plans for a new sci-fi dystopian story that I can't wait to write, but I don't think I'll start that until the fall.
I'm held back by lack of energy, mainly.
So, I'm in a weird spot right now where I'm plugging through tonnes of options, but getting very little done! :)
I just finished the fourth book in a new series I'm hoping to come out with, and I've outlined the fifth (and I believe the final) book in the series, but I'm not ready to write it yet. It's still missing some of the detail I need to write the story.
I'm also working on puting together a version of Pilgrim's Progress, written by John Bunyan in the 17th century.
And... oh, there's so many books to write... and, I've got plans for a new sci-fi dystopian story that I can't wait to write, but I don't think I'll start that until the fall.
I'm held back by lack of energy, mainly.
So, I'm in a weird spot right now where I'm plugging through tonnes of options, but getting very little done! :)
Shawn P.B. Robinson
You know... that's a good question! I actually write roughly the same amount all year round, depending on energy. The big difference is where I write. During the summer months, I often go outside to do some of my writing. It's fun just to be outside and enjoy the breeze while I type out the ideas!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
You know... what actually inspired me to write was a life changing illness. I ended up quite sick with a good chance of dying or being left with any number of debilitating conditions. In that state, I started to write and found that I loved it so much.
For me, the writing was a gift from God in a difficult and painful time and has proven to be a joy for me as I've moved toward recovery!
And now, I write for a few reasons. Partly because I love it. Partly because I am passionate about sharing these stories with others. But mostly because I believe this is what God has given me to do in this time--so I write!! And keep on writing!
For me, the writing was a gift from God in a difficult and painful time and has proven to be a joy for me as I've moved toward recovery!
And now, I write for a few reasons. Partly because I love it. Partly because I am passionate about sharing these stories with others. But mostly because I believe this is what God has given me to do in this time--so I write!! And keep on writing!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
You know... strange as it is, I didn't really get him from anyone (although a lot of my characters are influenced by people I know).
I created him with the kind of heart that I thought I myself wanted to have, although he's far tougher than I am on the outside. :) He has a heart of commitment, loyalty, honor, dedication, love, compassion, sacrifice, and a drive like no one else. I guess, in a way, I want to be that.
I found it fun as well to create someone like that with such a tough exterior. He's like a tank with a heart of gold. :)
I created him with the kind of heart that I thought I myself wanted to have, although he's far tougher than I am on the outside. :) He has a heart of commitment, loyalty, honor, dedication, love, compassion, sacrifice, and a drive like no one else. I guess, in a way, I want to be that.
I found it fun as well to create someone like that with such a tough exterior. He's like a tank with a heart of gold. :)
Shawn P.B. Robinson
Hi Lily! I'll send you an email.
I actually didn't so much decide to be an author as I just ended up there. I got really sick (think "laying in an isolation room wondering if I would live or die" kind of sick) and decided to write a story for my sons. I kind of got carried away and it turned into about 65,000 words. I didn't end up dying (which I felt was a positive in the long run) and found I just loved writing. After that, I just kept at it. I felt like it was a gift from God in a dark time and writing continues to give me so much joy!
I actually didn't so much decide to be an author as I just ended up there. I got really sick (think "laying in an isolation room wondering if I would live or die" kind of sick) and decided to write a story for my sons. I kind of got carried away and it turned into about 65,000 words. I didn't end up dying (which I felt was a positive in the long run) and found I just loved writing. After that, I just kept at it. I felt like it was a gift from God in a dark time and writing continues to give me so much joy!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
There is, actually! When I get a new story idea, it often kind of... percolates... through my brain for a while as it takes shape and comes together. At the moment, I have a sci-fi story that's coming together. I'm REALLY excited about it and I think it'll be a LOT of fun, I just don't have the entire story figured out yet. :)
I can't wait to write this one, though. If the story comes together in my head, I might just drop my current project and dive into this new one.
it'll be my first full-length sci-fi book!
I can't wait to write this one, though. If the story comes together in my head, I might just drop my current project and dive into this new one.
it'll be my first full-length sci-fi book!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
Oh, that was a bit of a last minute thing! I think Squirrels are awesome because they're wild and unpredictable and fast and more--perfect for stories like this--but it actually started out as Jim the Muskrat, I think. Then I switched to Jerry because of the name (so many names to rhyme with it), but Jerry the Muskrat is already the name of a book, I believe, so I switched to Squirrels. :)
And now... I can't imagine using any other animal. Squirrels are skittish and crazy!
And now... I can't imagine using any other animal. Squirrels are skittish and crazy!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
Hey Kaitlynn!
That's an awesome question!
I have thought a lot about other books for that world. I have toyed with odd ideas like a book about Mary (not the Squirrel Mary, but the beastly creature in Arestana I) and even a cookbook from Masha (not just recipes... that would be boring... it would be a lot more fun).
I've even toyed with an idea for a book about Harv.
The idea I've put the most thought into, however, was a prequel for the series. It would focus in on Helga (from book two) when she travelled to Arestana as a 13-year-old. I have a tonne of notes for the prequel and could probably start into writing it any time. It would likely be a two book series and have a lot more "heart" to it than the Arestana books as my plan is for Helga to be really struggling a lot in life and her time in Arestana is what she needs... I have some cool twists and stories and stuff planned. If you pay attention in Arestana II and III there are a number of little hints about the prequel in there. It would be like an origin story for Jrasta and Masha and Jep as well... I even plan on bringing Sherry the Squirrel into it at one point. :)
But... those are all really "Arestana" themed books. :)
Other than that, I haven't considered anything.
But... I LOVE to hear ideas. So... tell me what you think I should write!!!
Shawn
That's an awesome question!
I have thought a lot about other books for that world. I have toyed with odd ideas like a book about Mary (not the Squirrel Mary, but the beastly creature in Arestana I) and even a cookbook from Masha (not just recipes... that would be boring... it would be a lot more fun).
I've even toyed with an idea for a book about Harv.
The idea I've put the most thought into, however, was a prequel for the series. It would focus in on Helga (from book two) when she travelled to Arestana as a 13-year-old. I have a tonne of notes for the prequel and could probably start into writing it any time. It would likely be a two book series and have a lot more "heart" to it than the Arestana books as my plan is for Helga to be really struggling a lot in life and her time in Arestana is what she needs... I have some cool twists and stories and stuff planned. If you pay attention in Arestana II and III there are a number of little hints about the prequel in there. It would be like an origin story for Jrasta and Masha and Jep as well... I even plan on bringing Sherry the Squirrel into it at one point. :)
But... those are all really "Arestana" themed books. :)
Other than that, I haven't considered anything.
But... I LOVE to hear ideas. So... tell me what you think I should write!!!
Shawn
Shawn P.B. Robinson
Hmmm... I guess I'll answer this for Arestana: The Key Quest. The answer is, "I don't know."
I was laying in a hospital bed thinking about whether or not I would live or die. I just started writing it as a story for my sons. I wasn't planning on sharing it much outside of the family, but things changed. :)
I was laying in a hospital bed thinking about whether or not I would live or die. I just started writing it as a story for my sons. I wasn't planning on sharing it much outside of the family, but things changed. :)
Shawn P.B. Robinson
The ideas hit me and I get excited! Part of what inspires me is the opportunity to share it with others. I love it when others read my books!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
Right now I'm focused on getting my books to print. I have plans for a prequel for my Arestana series as well as a second volume for Jerry the Squirrel, but both of those will be on the back-burner for a bit.
I also have plans (and a decent amount of the prep work done) for an entirely new series (no spoilers on that one) and a non-fiction book on Psalm 121.
There's just so much to write and so little time.
I also have plans (and a decent amount of the prep work done) for an entirely new series (no spoilers on that one) and a non-fiction book on Psalm 121.
There's just so much to write and so little time.
Shawn P.B. Robinson
Oh wow! What a question! Here's the quick answer: write!
I've had the privilege of working with a lot of authors and even some very young authors as they have started out. The best thing to do is start to write. Don't worry if your story is pretty bad in the end. Often times that can be fixed as most stories are pretty bad when they are first written. :) Write like crazy and have fun with it!
I've had the privilege of working with a lot of authors and even some very young authors as they have started out. The best thing to do is start to write. Don't worry if your story is pretty bad in the end. Often times that can be fixed as most stories are pretty bad when they are first written. :) Write like crazy and have fun with it!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
I just love to create a world or an idea and share it with others. It's so much fun. It's actually far better and much more exciting than reading a book or watching a movie. You get to really enjoy the story on a new level. I don't always know everything that's coming or how it'll all look on the page which makes it fun (even though I plan out the story well). Add to this the fact that the anticipation of what's coming next is realized in the eyes of those who read your writing... wow! So much fun!
Shawn P.B. Robinson
I have two things I do. First, I try to avoid it in the first place. :) I plan out my stories. I don't plan out every word or idea or action, but I plan out the flow and the story, chapter by chapter. This allows me to keep writing on that specific idea.I find if I know what the chapter is about ahead of time, I do not often face writer's block. :)
Second, when I do face writer's block... I just start typing. I take any idea I can and run with it. When I'm in that "spot," my ideas usually stink, but once I start typing out ideas that stink, a good idea often comes to me. :)
Second, when I do face writer's block... I just start typing. I take any idea I can and run with it. When I'm in that "spot," my ideas usually stink, but once I start typing out ideas that stink, a good idea often comes to me. :)
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