Ask the Author: C.M. Stephenson
Answered Questions (6)
C.M. Stephenson
I really enjoy becoming someone else. Being a writer allows you to live somewhat vicariously. You can say what you'd never say. Do what you'd never do. Dress in clothes you'd never wear. The list goes on. Of course, it's on the page and not in real life.
When I'm writing for a character's point of view, I try to get inside their head. I truly enjoy writing each main character's backstory, it is as though the character is telling me about themselves. I endeavour to keep those backstories on file, it's surprising how they change over time.
When I'm writing for a character's point of view, I try to get inside their head. I truly enjoy writing each main character's backstory, it is as though the character is telling me about themselves. I endeavour to keep those backstories on file, it's surprising how they change over time.
C.M. Stephenson
I endeavour to write everyday. Typically, I end up writing five days out of seven. When I'm stuck, writing by hand works best for me. I have two key strategies. Number one - get out and about. Number two - at home, distract myself from the work in progress for a bit.
I'll sit in a cafe and use all my senses to gather information on what is going on around me. If I'm at home, I'll watch a crime program on TV and do much the same. I find it very useful for body language, in particular how actors interpret the script visually. I'm a fairly prolific note-taker and have boxes full of notebooks, I find if I write it down it will stay in my memory longer. Although, I'm dyslectic and reading back my notes can be, on occasion, somewhat of a challenge.
After that I'll get back to what I'm meant to be doing and most often it kick starts me in the right direction.
I'll sit in a cafe and use all my senses to gather information on what is going on around me. If I'm at home, I'll watch a crime program on TV and do much the same. I find it very useful for body language, in particular how actors interpret the script visually. I'm a fairly prolific note-taker and have boxes full of notebooks, I find if I write it down it will stay in my memory longer. Although, I'm dyslectic and reading back my notes can be, on occasion, somewhat of a challenge.
After that I'll get back to what I'm meant to be doing and most often it kick starts me in the right direction.
C.M. Stephenson
My advice would be firstly, buy a notebook and jot down what you see and hear around you. Getting into the writing habit is very helpful, I always have a notebook and pen in my bag.
If you can, join a writing group, I'm a member of two. There are lots of good ones out there. Other members of the group will review your work and you their's. In Bristol there is WriteClub; a positive and motivating environment where you can develop your skills as a writer and meet like minded people.
I subscribe to Writing Magazine, which I find very useful and full of inspiration. There are lots of books on writing. One of my favourites is Characters, Emotion and Viewpoint, by Nancy Kress. It provides guidance on the more technical elements of writing (none of which I'd heard of at first). The Writers & Artist Year Book is also a mine of information.
It's helpful to set yourself a goal of writing every day. Some people do morning pages, a process whereby you write whatever comes into your head when you wake up. I tend to read first thing in the morning. Just a couple of pages of a book. More often, one on writing or written by a writer whose work I love.
Writing is about finding your voice, and it took me a while to find mine. But the more you write, the easier it will become. Good luck!
If you can, join a writing group, I'm a member of two. There are lots of good ones out there. Other members of the group will review your work and you their's. In Bristol there is WriteClub; a positive and motivating environment where you can develop your skills as a writer and meet like minded people.
I subscribe to Writing Magazine, which I find very useful and full of inspiration. There are lots of books on writing. One of my favourites is Characters, Emotion and Viewpoint, by Nancy Kress. It provides guidance on the more technical elements of writing (none of which I'd heard of at first). The Writers & Artist Year Book is also a mine of information.
It's helpful to set yourself a goal of writing every day. Some people do morning pages, a process whereby you write whatever comes into your head when you wake up. I tend to read first thing in the morning. Just a couple of pages of a book. More often, one on writing or written by a writer whose work I love.
Writing is about finding your voice, and it took me a while to find mine. But the more you write, the easier it will become. Good luck!
C.M. Stephenson
At the moment most of my time is still focused on my debut novel. That said, I do have a work in progress. It's set in Manchester and involves some very strong female characters. It's a psychological thriller and, like 'She Lies Hidden' involves an unsolved crime. I also found a wonderful location to set some of the darker scenes in. I can't wait to get back to writing it!
C.M. Stephenson
I read lots of psychological thrillers, as well as literary fiction. I love listening to authors speak about their work and I try to do that as often as possible. Recently I've been to see Joanne Harris, Matt Haig, Tim Winton and Professor Sue Black. I'm very fortunate in that I live near Bath and there are some wonderful books shops there who all hold events. I am also very disciplined. The saying is that you can't edit a blank page, so I will sit down and write whatever comes into my head, hopefully that one or two words will take me in the right direction.
C.M. Stephenson
The idea came when I was studying for the A215 Creative Writing Course with Open University. We were told to write what we knew. I decided to write about how my life could have turned out, if I'd made different choices. When I was about eighteen I used to go to Northern Soul nights. It was out of those memories that the book evolved.
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