Ask the Author: James Steichen
Answered Questions (5)
James Steichen
I don't try to force myself to write if it's not happening. If I feel blocked it's usually because I haven't prepared or I have too many other things distracting me.
A good friend gave me very good advice when I was trying to finish my book. She said to identify when you'll have a large period of time to do intensive writing and plan ahead so that you're ready to take advantage of it when it comes. That time could be a month, or a week, or maybe just a day or afternoon. But whatever amount of time it is, protect it! If you're a teacher or have a day job, this is especially important--you know that you might not get good writing done in the middle of your busiest periods, so don't stress yourself out about that!
You protect that prime writing time by finishing off all of the other small tasks that might distract you - research, other deadlines, or even cleaning your house! That way when your prime writing time arrives you can fully devote yourself to writing.
A good friend gave me very good advice when I was trying to finish my book. She said to identify when you'll have a large period of time to do intensive writing and plan ahead so that you're ready to take advantage of it when it comes. That time could be a month, or a week, or maybe just a day or afternoon. But whatever amount of time it is, protect it! If you're a teacher or have a day job, this is especially important--you know that you might not get good writing done in the middle of your busiest periods, so don't stress yourself out about that!
You protect that prime writing time by finishing off all of the other small tasks that might distract you - research, other deadlines, or even cleaning your house! That way when your prime writing time arrives you can fully devote yourself to writing.
James Steichen
Find a topic that you're passionate about, read as much as you can about that topic that has already been written, and then figure out what angle no one has talked about before.
This advice probably applies more to non-fiction writers, but I would guess that novelists and poets likely do the same thing!
This advice probably applies more to non-fiction writers, but I would guess that novelists and poets likely do the same thing!
James Steichen
For my next book I'd love to write either a history of Judy Garland and her family, or a history of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where I used to work.
James Steichen
Really good sources inspire me! I've done research at dozens of libraries and archives, and each one has provided new details for the story in my book. I'll never forget the moments when I discovered a key piece of history--a picture of a dancer or ballet that I had only read about, a reference to an event that corroborated what I thought was true but hadn't yet been able to prove. I know that if I've do my homework gathering evidence that writing will be much more fun and inspiring.
James Steichen
George Balanchine was one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. And yet no one has done extensive research into what really happened during the first decade after he arrived in America.
I was skeptical about whether biographies were telling the "real" story of what these years were like. And based on the evidence I've found, there's much more to the story than what we've been told!
I was skeptical about whether biographies were telling the "real" story of what these years were like. And based on the evidence I've found, there's much more to the story than what we've been told!
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