Ask the Author: David Lafferty
Answered Questions (6)
David Lafferty
Darned if I can remember. Assorted story ideas are always rattling around in my head, and every now an then one just needs to be written!
David Lafferty
My father was an aspiring writer, and I absolutely loved his first novel. Or maybe it's just genetic. Or a mutation. Or I'm possessed. Who knows? ;-)
David Lafferty
Right now I'm doing the groundwork for the sequel to A Place of Shadows. I'm not nearly done making Ben's life difficult!
David Lafferty
Wow...there's so much to say, and as I consider myself to still be "aspiring," I don't want to come off sounding like I have it all figured out. But for what it's worth, here are a few nuggets that have helped me:
1. Read, and read widely. Sample everything on the literary buffet. If you write the same genre that is all you ever read, then guess what? The chance that you'll end up sounding just like everyone else while telling stories that are variations on repetitive themes goes way up.
2. Don't get bogged down by the opinions and unsolicited advice everyone always seems so willing to offer. Tell the story you want to tell, the way you want to tell it. If those well-meaning advisors know so much, they should probably write their own stories.
3. If possible, team up with at least one other writer and critique one another's work as you go. You're going to have different strengths and weaknesses, and sharing your writing journey will make you both better. A buddy of mine and I have been brutalizing one another's work for decades, and it's been more valuable than any creative writing class or book on writing I've ever experienced. (Thanks, Chris -- you're the best!)
4. Be willing to revise. To cut out or modify descriptions, paragraphs, even entire chapters if they just don't work. The ability to set aside your ego and thoughts of the time you invested in something is critical. It's what separates the men from the boys, so to speak.
5. Don't be in a hurry. Invest whatever time is necessary to tell the very best story you can. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
I hope these suggestions were helpful!
1. Read, and read widely. Sample everything on the literary buffet. If you write the same genre that is all you ever read, then guess what? The chance that you'll end up sounding just like everyone else while telling stories that are variations on repetitive themes goes way up.
2. Don't get bogged down by the opinions and unsolicited advice everyone always seems so willing to offer. Tell the story you want to tell, the way you want to tell it. If those well-meaning advisors know so much, they should probably write their own stories.
3. If possible, team up with at least one other writer and critique one another's work as you go. You're going to have different strengths and weaknesses, and sharing your writing journey will make you both better. A buddy of mine and I have been brutalizing one another's work for decades, and it's been more valuable than any creative writing class or book on writing I've ever experienced. (Thanks, Chris -- you're the best!)
4. Be willing to revise. To cut out or modify descriptions, paragraphs, even entire chapters if they just don't work. The ability to set aside your ego and thoughts of the time you invested in something is critical. It's what separates the men from the boys, so to speak.
5. Don't be in a hurry. Invest whatever time is necessary to tell the very best story you can. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
I hope these suggestions were helpful!
David Lafferty
For me, the best thing about being a writer is being able to take readers on a journey...to have them feel a connection with the characters, to invest them in the plot, to make them excited or sad or scared or fall a little bit in love. If my reader finishes the final page feeling that bittersweet mixture of satisfaction with the experience and disappointment that it's over, then I feel like I've done my job as a storyteller.
David Lafferty
Honestly, that's been a problem for me over the years, resulting in long periods of no progress whatsoever. It's mostly my fault, as my approach to storytelling has generally started with a clear idea of how the tale begins and ends, with everything in between consisting of a few vague notions -- a beginning, a muddle, and an end, so to speak. Realizing that it's a weakness of mine, I've resolved to change tactics and actually go to the trouble of crafting a complete, detailed outline for my next project. Hopefully that'll do away with the majority of my stalling-out. Another tactic I often employ is to load up my dog and spend a day in an area similar to my project's setting soaking up the atmosphere. Of course, any serious writer will tell you, "Don't get it right -- get it written!" It's good advice. Even if what you end up with after a few hours is complete schlock, at least 1) you'll keep some creative momentum under you, and 2) is easier to go back later and turn schlock into something good than it is to keep staring at that blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.
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