Ask the Author: David A. Wimsett
Answered Questions (6)
David A. Wimsett
Telling stories. Starting with a vague idea and watching it grow until it reaches a newspaper, magazine, on-line platform or book. Sharing a philosophy or dream or concept that touches the lives of readers and changes their perspective.
David A. Wimsett
There are many good books and programs to learn how to write. I would add a few things.
Be ready to accept criticism. No one starts out writing professionally. People who think of their work as their child or their body being cut up during a critique session will never write professional.
Find a group of people whose opines you trust and read to each other. Give and receive feedback. Make certain they are being honest and not just saying what they think you want to hear.
Listen to criticism, but at the same time, harden yourself against unwarranted or cruel criticism. There are people who like to attack others to serve their own ego. Do not respond to or engage with them.
Writer must know that they have an endless supply of material. Don't hold on to writing that doesn't work. You can come up with more. My first book is 200 pages long and I have thrown out at least 400 pages of manuscript that did not work.
Write constantly. The act of writing is accumulative. When you leave large gaps between sessions you lose the threads of what you are doing.
When you are ready to publish, work with an editor. You cannot edit your own material because you mind fills in missing pieces.
Always remember why you started writing. It is easy to get buried in details. Lift up your spirits and be with people who do the same. Take care of yourself. You are worth it.
Be ready to accept criticism. No one starts out writing professionally. People who think of their work as their child or their body being cut up during a critique session will never write professional.
Find a group of people whose opines you trust and read to each other. Give and receive feedback. Make certain they are being honest and not just saying what they think you want to hear.
Listen to criticism, but at the same time, harden yourself against unwarranted or cruel criticism. There are people who like to attack others to serve their own ego. Do not respond to or engage with them.
Writer must know that they have an endless supply of material. Don't hold on to writing that doesn't work. You can come up with more. My first book is 200 pages long and I have thrown out at least 400 pages of manuscript that did not work.
Write constantly. The act of writing is accumulative. When you leave large gaps between sessions you lose the threads of what you are doing.
When you are ready to publish, work with an editor. You cannot edit your own material because you mind fills in missing pieces.
Always remember why you started writing. It is easy to get buried in details. Lift up your spirits and be with people who do the same. Take care of yourself. You are worth it.
David A. Wimsett
My next novel is a mythical fantasy titled The Dragon Mark. It is a story filled with political intrigue, evil sorcerers, magical creatures, strong and weak characters, honor, faith, betrayal and an evil that has slept for 100 generations and threatens to wake again to destroy the world. It is scheduled for release in the Spring of 2018.
David A. Wimsett
I have never experienced writers block. When I work each idea spurs a new one and then another. I remember talking about writer's block with my mentor. He told me he didn't write for eight hours straight. He got up and took breaks to listen to the radio or take walks outside. But, he was still working on a problem in the back of his mind and the answers would often come when he was away from his desk. When he returned to work he did so with a renewed perspective. I keep a notepad next to my bed because I often have insights to characters or plots as I am falling asleep.
David A. Wimsett
I had written many stories and poems in my teens and had even started two novels that went nowhere. I took a novel writing course from an author named Leonard Bishop at the UC Berkeley extension. He was a little rough around the edges, but he was never cruel. He gave direct, honest critiques. Each week, he select two manuscripts and read them in front of the class to teach a point. Everyone in the class would comment, then Leonard would give his opinion. He read and commented on a piece I had written. I thought the writing was excellent and was certain Leonard would too. He picked it apart and pointed out defect after defect. Everything he said was right, of course, but it stung pretty badly. Then he said, “I want you people to realize something. Mr. Wimsett has an innate grasp of the dramatic.” I left the classroom shaken and walked to the intersection of Dwight and Telegraph. There, on the Northeast corner was a wire trashcan. I starred at it. Then I said to myself, "OK. This is it. Either you accept that the manuscript is flawed and you need to listen to Leonard to discover how to fix it or you throw this paper in the trashcan and never write again. I chose to accept criticism. That is when I became a writer
David A. Wimsett
The original concept was for a married couple to be on the verge of divorce until they witness another couple having a horrid crisis. This was to make them see how they still loved each other and they are drawn together. This didn't work at all. There was no emotional impact because they only observe a crisis. The couple needed to be in the crisis. The characters became deeper and the plot more complex to take on many other themes.
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