Ask the Author: Kayleigh Nicol
Answered Questions (4)
Kayleigh Nicol
Read everything! Not just books within your favorite genre, but branch out. Read news articles, read magazines, read recipes and read fanfiction. You never know where your next inspiration might come from. Never stop reading!
Kayleigh Nicol
Years ago, I received some brilliant advice for dealing with writer's block: if what I'm writing doesn't excite me, it isn't going to excite the reader, either. So I go back to the last part of the story that excites me and just start rewriting it until it keeps my interest. Another trick I've learned is to jump ahead in the story to a scene I've been wanting to write. Once I've got that next exciting bit, it's just a matter of building a bridge to it.
Kayleigh Nicol
I am currently working on book two of the Mage-Born Chronicles. Book two will be the completion of Reshi and Kestral's story as I plan to tell it, so I'm taking the time to get all the details just right. If you currently have any questions regarding book one, please ask them so I can be certain everything is adequately addressed in the second book.
After the second book, it is my hope to create an anthology of short stories focused on Reshi's brothers and sisters. As such, I'd love to hear what you think of Reshi's family and if you have any questions you would like to see answered in such a book. I look forward to hearing from you!
After the second book, it is my hope to create an anthology of short stories focused on Reshi's brothers and sisters. As such, I'd love to hear what you think of Reshi's family and if you have any questions you would like to see answered in such a book. I look forward to hearing from you!
Kayleigh Nicol
When a scene is exciting to me, it's really easy to just write and write while hours go by. But most of the time, I have to give myself small goals and incentives to keep myself on track. For instance, I'll plan on writing five pages and then I'll play a half hour of a video game as a reward. I'm very goal-oriented, so usually that's enough to keep me working hard.
Also, I try to set up my work space with as few distractions as possible before I begin writing for the day, so I'll make sure any critical chores are completed and that the pets are all taken care of. I'll play some themed music (no words, or at least no English words) and light a scented candle to help me stay comfortable and on task. I don't keep any games on my laptop and I stick to a strict rule of only using the internet for research as I'm writing. If I follow these rules for myself, usually the inspiration simply flows.
Also, I try to set up my work space with as few distractions as possible before I begin writing for the day, so I'll make sure any critical chores are completed and that the pets are all taken care of. I'll play some themed music (no words, or at least no English words) and light a scented candle to help me stay comfortable and on task. I don't keep any games on my laptop and I stick to a strict rule of only using the internet for research as I'm writing. If I follow these rules for myself, usually the inspiration simply flows.
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