Ask the Author: Peter van der Walt
Answered Questions (9)
Peter van der Walt
Cadwall from the Cadwall Chronicles. A Nature Preserve on a faraway alien world - what could be better? I'd just stare. And do lunch.
Peter van der Walt
I have a couple of nonfictions, a couple of how-tos and a couple of novels I'd like to get through. I read a lot of business non-fictions and I'm currently reading everything from the Mad Money host, Jim Cramer. My how-tos are some practical stuff I want to get down. And with novels I'm currently in a Jack Vance phase.
Peter van der Walt
Aloha ma'am - and I'm delighted you liked the book (with the tricky ethics and complex humanity all part of it). "Brimstone" is confirmed for release on November 12, 2019.
Peter van der Walt
Trick question. A novel is never one idea. It's several ideas that come together, clash, crash, merge, coalesce.
The Fairbridge books are thrillers with LGBT-lead characters. So the ideas for them come from LGBT-life (the condemnation of religious types, falling for the wrong guy, playing a role in a larger family, etc) and Thrilling ideas (serial killers, psychos, navy seals, whatever).
Brimstone brings together the yearning we all have to be with someone - short or long term - and the dangers of trusting someone that could be very, very, very dangerous.
The Fairbridge books are thrillers with LGBT-lead characters. So the ideas for them come from LGBT-life (the condemnation of religious types, falling for the wrong guy, playing a role in a larger family, etc) and Thrilling ideas (serial killers, psychos, navy seals, whatever).
Brimstone brings together the yearning we all have to be with someone - short or long term - and the dangers of trusting someone that could be very, very, very dangerous.
Peter van der Walt
This is me living a childhood dream so awesome I gave up on it.
Now that I'm here... I need no inspiration. The stories, the characters, the settings, the plot. They mull around in my subconscious and then they demand to be told. I write every day, whether I feel like it or not. I don't wait for some esoteric inspiration to hit. I sit my posterior down in the chair, open my computer, and let the story flow.
Now that I'm here... I need no inspiration. The stories, the characters, the settings, the plot. They mull around in my subconscious and then they demand to be told. I write every day, whether I feel like it or not. I don't wait for some esoteric inspiration to hit. I sit my posterior down in the chair, open my computer, and let the story flow.
Peter van der Walt
Another Fairbridge book. It's called Brimstone. It's about falling for the wrong guy, and what that can do to you. It follows the events of Under Fire but is its own story. Slightly more character driven. Slightly sexier. A whole lot darker.
Peter van der Walt
I dish out some advice on my blog for new writers from time to time. But to sum it up: 1) Write a lot, 2) Read a lot and 3) Learn a lot. The number one thing is to get to it: Write your play, poem, novel, screenplay, textbook, or whatever your format is. Write every day. Write until you have a finished product. Secondly, read widely - in your field and out of your field. And also educate yourself on the tools and techniques - reading helps, but there are some pretty good YouTube videos out there.
Peter van der Walt
I know this may sound weird... but telling fictional stories is the most important work I've ever done. Being a writer means you can make a living - and an impact - with your words. And if the themes, characters and concepts matter, your work can - and should - matter.
It's just stories, some would say. These stories matter to me, and to readers. More than merely 'yet another product' to be sold.
It's just stories, some would say. These stories matter to me, and to readers. More than merely 'yet another product' to be sold.
Peter van der Walt
Take a walk. Do something else. Step away. Talk about it with someone.
And then get right back at it, and PUSH.
Writers are in the service business. They provide a ride. No rides, no business. You can't be too prima donna about stuff. Make the rides, it's what you do.
And then get right back at it, and PUSH.
Writers are in the service business. They provide a ride. No rides, no business. You can't be too prima donna about stuff. Make the rides, it's what you do.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more