Ask the Author: Ian Dawson
Answered Questions (6)
Ian Dawson
I got the idea for The Field from my own experience when I was kidnapped when I was thirteen. I was out in the field behind our neighborhood (like Daniel in the novel) and was chased down and abducted by two older boys. They terrorized me and held me captive for hours until they let me go. It was a very traumatic experience, the older boys were never found, and the police didn't believe my story. Ten years after the events, I wrote a short story about my experience, and that evolved into the novel, The Field, that is out now.
Ian Dawson
A lot of things inspire me to write. It could be a project I'm currently working on, it could be a conversation I hear when I'm out shopping or one I hear at work. I may even see a news story or remember something that happened to me recently or in the past and that could spark something that leads me to write. The world is full of inspiration for writers. Even if it's not something that eventually becomes a full story, take the time to sit down and write it out. You may be surprised where the idea takes you. I know I have been.
Ian Dawson
I am currently working on the sequel to The Field. The characters will be in high school this time around, so they will be doing more stuff and having even more adventures. It's been fun to enter the world of these characters again, and I definitely have enjoyed seeing where the story goes.
Ian Dawson
Always be writing. Always be looking for idea. It can be something from your own life, the lives of friends or family, anything can be developed and turned into a story. Whether it's a short story, a novel, a play, a short film, a poem, or other types of writing, keep doing it and working through writer's block or even material that doesn't work. You can always go back and re-write later. I also think it's important to enjoy what you write. Don't write what the market or others say they want. Write what you would like to read. There's always someone out there who has the same genre interests that you do and you just may have the book to get them reading.
Ian Dawson
One of the best things about being a writer is that you get to create characters, situations, and dialogue that are uniquely your own. Even if your writing stories that take place in the real world and not fantasy or sci-fi, you have a great opportunity to create and give readers interesting, dimensional, and fun characters that they will always remember. It's why I love being a writer and I hope it's one of the reasons you are, too.
Ian Dawson
If I get stuck when I'm writing something, I will usually switch gears and start to work on either another project or take a break and take my mind off the issue I'm having a problem with. A lot of times taking a break and getting some distance can help clear your head and allow new ideas to pop in that can help you break through any block you may have. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to bed with writer's block and had an idea come to me at 3am. I think it's a good idea to leave a notepad by your bed in case an idea come to you at night that could be the key to unlocking your writer's block.
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