Ask the Author: Chris Mills
Answered Questions (3)
Chris Mills
Learn to be critical. That is my biggest advice to anyone aspiring to write. Most people aren't. It's the honest truth, and I know it firsthand. I had an ego and felt what I had was unique. I knew perhaps there would be people who did not like what I wrote, but I had the mindset where I really didn't care. That's where I was wrong.
It matters that someone sees issues with your story and yours style. They are a voice. Take time to evaluate what they are saying. Perhaps they are right.
Learning to see the flaws in your own work will make your critical. I hope every writer can come to a point where they finished a book, look back through it, and say, 'that sucks.' That might sound harsh, but it is good. You will improve.
I have inspired to improve based on good input. Not everyone's input will matter as much after evaluation. Those who help you improve, give you new insight and aren't bashing you as a writer.
Be critical.
It matters that someone sees issues with your story and yours style. They are a voice. Take time to evaluate what they are saying. Perhaps they are right.
Learning to see the flaws in your own work will make your critical. I hope every writer can come to a point where they finished a book, look back through it, and say, 'that sucks.' That might sound harsh, but it is good. You will improve.
I have inspired to improve based on good input. Not everyone's input will matter as much after evaluation. Those who help you improve, give you new insight and aren't bashing you as a writer.
Be critical.
Chris Mills
Writer's block is a pain. It isn't fun to suddenly be stuck, especially when it feels like I must push through or finish. I've learned these are the times I really have to accept taking a break. I can mess around as much as I want to come up with something to break through, and it will only end up frustrating me or bring about bad ideas that I will later regret. I've done that many times.
I will generally find something else to do and try not to think about the block. Being away from the issues helps to relax my brain. I will sometimes play video games, watch a tv series, or even read what I can. Inspiration can be found eventually.
If I come back much later and still don't know what to do, that's when I start to evaluate the story in general. Sometimes things just don't work and there is no magical fix. It's hard to admit when an idea won't work and is only a struggle, but it allows me to start over with something new or find a new approach to something that clearly hasn't been working.
I will generally find something else to do and try not to think about the block. Being away from the issues helps to relax my brain. I will sometimes play video games, watch a tv series, or even read what I can. Inspiration can be found eventually.
If I come back much later and still don't know what to do, that's when I start to evaluate the story in general. Sometimes things just don't work and there is no magical fix. It's hard to admit when an idea won't work and is only a struggle, but it allows me to start over with something new or find a new approach to something that clearly hasn't been working.
Chris Mills
Currently, I am working on a high fantasy novel. I have multiple 'worlds' as it might be called that I have come up with to fit stories. This high fantasy work had a lot of build to get to the state it was. I really enjoy being able to work on something that is not on the timeline. What I mean by that is something that is not currently scheduled to be released. It is my way of taking some time off.
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