Ask the Author: Lance Karlson
Answered Questions (6)
Lance Karlson
I become particularly inspired to write while on planes - no idea why, but I get an itch to write and some of the best work I've done has been in the air. Having worked fly-in, fly-out for many years this has been a constant routine.
When at home the inspiration comes while exercising or listening to music.
When at home the inspiration comes while exercising or listening to music.
Lance Karlson
Apprehensively waiting to see the reaction to my first novel. After which we'll see!
Lance Karlson
Seeing progress - both in quality and word count
Lance Karlson
Through developing a map of the novel before writing. If you have each chapter planned out with key events and steps, the writing between should piece together naturally. If it doesn't come, use that time to plan the chapters down to small details (like what the weather is like), and how certain details and descriptions may be foreshadowing or building suspense for the next scene. Plan in detail what the settings look like, what the characters are wearing, what their backstories are etc.
Add some music and coffee, remove all distractions, and then write!
Add some music and coffee, remove all distractions, and then write!
Lance Karlson
Know your ending before you start. Develop a clear structure for your novel, plan out each chapter and what you want to reveal at each step. Know the backstory to all of your characters - from their childhoods through to coming-of-age and now - and wants makes them unique. Don't base characters on people that you know. And certainly do not base protagonists upon yourself. Set routine times to write and maintain your discipline.
Lance Karlson
In 2010 I was backpacking across Central America when I became stuck at the border between Costa Rica and Panama. It was there I learned from a stranger about the 1985 murder of Doctor Hugo Spadafora, a bold critic of Panama's dictator, Manuel Noriega. Spadafora had been returning to Panama with a briefcase containing information on Noriega's drug trafficking and corrupt dealings with the CIA. Something about the doctor's story and his horrific murder had me hooked. I bought up books on Noriega and the CIA by Gary Webb/Fred Kempe/John Dinges and realised there was a significant gap in history - from the reasons behind the doctor's murder to the reasons for the invasion of Panama - that could be filled with a novel. This gave birth to The Noriega Tapes.
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