Ask the Author: Thomas Paschal
Answered Questions (4)
Thomas Paschal
My inspiration comes from anywhere at anytime. I just keep a notebook on me and whenever something sparks, I jot it down. There's plenty of time to figure out what to do with it later, but don't like a bolt of inspiration slip by you.
I'm inspired by music, emotions, people, philosophy...
I'm inspired by life in all it's beautiful chaotic forms.
The more of the world you experience and understand, the more story or character ideas you will find.
I'm inspired by music, emotions, people, philosophy...
I'm inspired by life in all it's beautiful chaotic forms.
The more of the world you experience and understand, the more story or character ideas you will find.
Thomas Paschal
I'll try not to be so long-winded on this one.
I find that writer's block occurs for one of two reasons.
A) You just aren't in the proper state of mind to write. That's ok. Go do something else. The urge to return to your work will come eventually. Your mind just needs a change of pace.
or
B) You are trying to push your plot towards somewhere it doesn't need to go. Put yourself into the events and ask what you would do. Ask your characters what they intend to do about the situation. Let the story flow the way it will, even if that's not where you meant to go. It will work out better in the long run. Promise.
I find that writer's block occurs for one of two reasons.
A) You just aren't in the proper state of mind to write. That's ok. Go do something else. The urge to return to your work will come eventually. Your mind just needs a change of pace.
or
B) You are trying to push your plot towards somewhere it doesn't need to go. Put yourself into the events and ask what you would do. Ask your characters what they intend to do about the situation. Let the story flow the way it will, even if that's not where you meant to go. It will work out better in the long run. Promise.
Thomas Paschal
To anyone who wants to write, wants to create a book, wants to be published; what we do is not easy. What we do is not glamorous. This is not the fast track to fame and fortune, unless you are lucky enough to have lots of connections in the industry.
There will be rejection letters. There will be quite a few, "Well, this isn't what we are looking for." There will be times when you'll question why you should even bother.
And that's ok! It happens. Creating stories and characters and settings and plots are not easy. We pour our minds and hearts into a stack of pages and present it to the world. Then hope against hope that someone, anyone, will love it as much as we do.
Not everyone's going to. The most famous novels in history have their fair share of people that just didn't like it. But there are enough that do. And that's who you write for.
It doesn't matter if a million people don't like your story. If a thousand publishers don't want to hire you. You didn't become a writer for those people. If you only have 12 people that want to read your stories. If you only find one publisher who wants to promote you, then you try your absolute hardest for them. Give those 12 people the best story you can possibly give them.
Not every writer becomes a Tolkein or King or Shakespeare. But if your words can bring joy to one, single person somewhere out there, then that is worth every ounce of effort you can give. Cause that one person NEEDS your words more than the million who won't read it anyway.
My advice is simple; Never, ever, give up!
There will be rejection letters. There will be quite a few, "Well, this isn't what we are looking for." There will be times when you'll question why you should even bother.
And that's ok! It happens. Creating stories and characters and settings and plots are not easy. We pour our minds and hearts into a stack of pages and present it to the world. Then hope against hope that someone, anyone, will love it as much as we do.
Not everyone's going to. The most famous novels in history have their fair share of people that just didn't like it. But there are enough that do. And that's who you write for.
It doesn't matter if a million people don't like your story. If a thousand publishers don't want to hire you. You didn't become a writer for those people. If you only have 12 people that want to read your stories. If you only find one publisher who wants to promote you, then you try your absolute hardest for them. Give those 12 people the best story you can possibly give them.
Not every writer becomes a Tolkein or King or Shakespeare. But if your words can bring joy to one, single person somewhere out there, then that is worth every ounce of effort you can give. Cause that one person NEEDS your words more than the million who won't read it anyway.
My advice is simple; Never, ever, give up!
Thomas Paschal
Every writer would have a different answer to this of course. But for myself, the best thing about writing is that anything is possible!
Writing can make the reader laugh, cry, think, feel, question, realize, wonder.
A good book can take them to worlds far away that are so different than our own.
Or they can look at everyday life in reality from a different angle and show just how magical the real world can be.
These are all things I love about being a writer. Giving form to thought.
But, beyond all of this, the best thing of all about being a writer, is hearing someone say; "I really enjoyed your stories and I think I have one of my own to tell."
Writing can make the reader laugh, cry, think, feel, question, realize, wonder.
A good book can take them to worlds far away that are so different than our own.
Or they can look at everyday life in reality from a different angle and show just how magical the real world can be.
These are all things I love about being a writer. Giving form to thought.
But, beyond all of this, the best thing of all about being a writer, is hearing someone say; "I really enjoyed your stories and I think I have one of my own to tell."
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