Ask the Author: Robin McElveen
Answered Questions (6)
Robin McElveen
My children and how they interact with each other and their friends -- how they look at the world around them -- that's probably where the ideas started. I consider myself to be a person with strong faith who is also pretty spiritual at heart. I wanted to write a clean book that was fairly easy to read and full of hope. There's so much darkness in our world and so many who are hurting. I'd love to put a smile on more of their faces.
Robin McElveen
I've been writing stories and songs since grade school. I'm not sure what /inspired/ me to write seriously. I needed a new project to spice up our homeschool curriculum. NaNoWriMo's Young Writer Program seemed just the thing. I'm also a firm believer in not asking your kids to do something you wouldn't do. So I joined in. Once I realized how much was going on in my head and how the ideas just exploded, once I realized /I could do this/, I just kept going.
Robin McElveen
Don't overthink it. Just go for it! And don't be overwhelmed by the massive amounts of information out there. I'm an indie author taking the self-publishing path. I just worked within my means and did what I could with what I had.
Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice, but also don't feel like you're locked into following someone else's method. Each person is different. Each situation is different. The writing journey looks daunting at first, but just get started and take it at your own pace.
And most of all, don't forget that you're writing for the love of writing. When money becomes your goal, your passion shifts, making earnings your 'why' for writing. Once that happens, your writing is altered and maybe not in ways you like. Don't ever sacrifice your love of the written word for a few coins that won't last nearly as long.
Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice, but also don't feel like you're locked into following someone else's method. Each person is different. Each situation is different. The writing journey looks daunting at first, but just get started and take it at your own pace.
And most of all, don't forget that you're writing for the love of writing. When money becomes your goal, your passion shifts, making earnings your 'why' for writing. Once that happens, your writing is altered and maybe not in ways you like. Don't ever sacrifice your love of the written word for a few coins that won't last nearly as long.
Robin McElveen
I'm currently revising book two in my Children of Y'Dahnndrya series. My goal is to have it ready for publishing ASAP. A year ago, I was working on a different book as book two and realized the series needed to be ordered differently so that changed things a lot. My confidence took a blow, and I now find myself in a serious writing slump. I'm not only an author, but a home-school mom learning how to encourage our dyslexic daughter who is now in high school. It's been a busy year in spite of the stay-at-home order back in March/April. On top of my writing work and teaching, I'm also doing an update on my blog/website. If you'd like to stay in the know about my work, sign up for my author newsletter when you visit my website. Hope to see you there!
Robin McElveen
I deal with writer's block in several ways. 1. Read a book in my chosen genre. 2. Critique someone else's work. 3. Surf the web for inspiring music and images. 4. Encourage someone else who's struggling. 5. Talk to fellow writers about the troublesome part(s). 6. Create some kind of art related to the current WIP. 7. And as a last resort, I do something totally unrelated but equally creative like sewing or playing music.
*****UPDATE*****
I forgot to look at the date on this first answer but it was probably over a year ago when I wrote the above section. Since I'm going through my worst slump yet, I thought I'd re-read and update with what I've discovered through my current struggle.
I realize I have /not/ surfed the web for inspiring pictures, music and art which put me in mind of Y'Dahnndrya in setting or mood. I might try that later this week. I also realize I've saddled myself with a monumental task load and I need to let some stuff go. So I would add to the list above 8. Check your workload. Is there any item on that list you could pause for a time, or completely let go of, or hire out to someone else? If so, I highly recommend you do that. :)
*****UPDATE*****
I forgot to look at the date on this first answer but it was probably over a year ago when I wrote the above section. Since I'm going through my worst slump yet, I thought I'd re-read and update with what I've discovered through my current struggle.
I realize I have /not/ surfed the web for inspiring pictures, music and art which put me in mind of Y'Dahnndrya in setting or mood. I might try that later this week. I also realize I've saddled myself with a monumental task load and I need to let some stuff go. So I would add to the list above 8. Check your workload. Is there any item on that list you could pause for a time, or completely let go of, or hire out to someone else? If so, I highly recommend you do that. :)
Robin McElveen
Ah! It has to be the chance to get these "clammersome" ideas out of my head and free up more space for common sense thought. XD Seriously, though, there are far more ideas in my head than I can afford to keep locked up in there. I want to share them with others who might get some entertainment out of them.
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