Ask the Author: Ellis Michaels
Answered Questions (9)
Ellis Michaels
If I gave it more thought, maybe I'd have a different answer. But off the top of my head, Middle Earth. I'd hang with hobbits, particularly Bilbo Baggins if I could find him. I'd party with wizards like Gandalf. Who knows what kinds of crazy potions he might be able to make and feel-good spells he might be able to cast. But one thing I won't be doing: going around trying on random rings!
Ellis Michaels
While I have seen I Know What You Did Last Summer, I don't recall what I was reading last summer. However, THIS summer - this entire year, actually - I've been reading/finishing books I've had for years, in some cases decades, but never got through for whatever reason. Some of them include Brave New World, The Prince by Machiavelli, Ender's Game, and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Ellis Michaels
She curled up in bed after a long day at work, eager to download the latest release from her favorite author and escape into a fictional world far less cruel than her own. However, the internet was down.
Ellis Michaels
From a wonderful woman I dated for about six months. Her love of unicorns inspired me to write a fantasy novel about one.
Ellis Michaels
Drugs. Haha, I'm just kidding. Well, kind of. Caffeine, among other things, certainly has its place in my anti-writer's-block toolkit. But I find that lots of physical exercise, keeping my diet relatively healthy, and getting plenty of sleep is key to keeping writer's block at bay.
Ellis Michaels
Right now, I'm in the process of writing two books - one fiction and the other non-fiction.
The fiction book is straight-up fantasy with no GameLit or LitRPG elements like my previous books. I'm about 2/3 done and having lots of fun writing it.
The non-fiction book is about my life living with a rare autoimmune disease. I was diagnosed as a teenager, but have had symptoms since I was a child. I'm maybe 1/4 done with the first draft. It's going to be (hopefully) both informative and inspiring.
The fiction book is straight-up fantasy with no GameLit or LitRPG elements like my previous books. I'm about 2/3 done and having lots of fun writing it.
The non-fiction book is about my life living with a rare autoimmune disease. I was diagnosed as a teenager, but have had symptoms since I was a child. I'm maybe 1/4 done with the first draft. It's going to be (hopefully) both informative and inspiring.
Ellis Michaels
I don't and neither do any of the successful writers I've talked to. Inspiration comes and goes. Books aren't written from inspiration - they're written from discipline and perseverance.
When I first start writing something new and the idea is still fresh and exciting, sure, there's quite a bit of inspiration floating around. But that evaporates fast. This is why so many writers have a dozen unfinished manuscripts lying around. One the initial inspiration fades, you need to be disciplined to finish what you've started.
When I first start writing something new and the idea is still fresh and exciting, sure, there's quite a bit of inspiration floating around. But that evaporates fast. This is why so many writers have a dozen unfinished manuscripts lying around. One the initial inspiration fades, you need to be disciplined to finish what you've started.
Ellis Michaels
Write. Then, when you're done writing, write some more. Oh, I forgot to mention: Before you write, make sure you do some writing.
If you want to be a writer, you have to write. It's really that simple. Sit down every (or almost every) day and write. Have a word count goal and don't go anywhere until you hit your goal. Me? I write 2,000 words minimum, five days a week. Most days I go way over that but some days it's hard and it takes me hours to come up with those 2k words. But I do it five days a week, no matter what.
If you want to be a writer, you have to write a lot. If you want to be a GOOD writer, you also have to read a lot and constantly be improving your craft. Network with other writers, read books about the craft of writing, read books in a variety of genres/styles, and always keep improving.
Oh, one last thing: WRITE!
If you want to be a writer, you have to write. It's really that simple. Sit down every (or almost every) day and write. Have a word count goal and don't go anywhere until you hit your goal. Me? I write 2,000 words minimum, five days a week. Most days I go way over that but some days it's hard and it takes me hours to come up with those 2k words. But I do it five days a week, no matter what.
If you want to be a writer, you have to write a lot. If you want to be a GOOD writer, you also have to read a lot and constantly be improving your craft. Network with other writers, read books about the craft of writing, read books in a variety of genres/styles, and always keep improving.
Oh, one last thing: WRITE!
Ellis Michaels
Freedom. It's one of the things that I value more than anything else in the world and writing offers all kinds of freedoms: The freedom to write what I want. The freedom to write when I want. The freedom to write where I want. Writing allows me to do what I want, when I want - and I can't think of anything sweeter than that!
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