Ask the Author: L.G. Cunningham
Answered Questions (8)
L.G. Cunningham
I'm quite new to calling myself a 'writer' but so far the most enjoyable moment for me was when a parent stopped me to say that their child couldn't put my book down and finished it in one sitting.
It's one thing to hear your friends / family tell you that your story is great but to hear it not only from a complete stranger but from your ideal target audience is something special. Made it all worthwhile.
It's one thing to hear your friends / family tell you that your story is great but to hear it not only from a complete stranger but from your ideal target audience is something special. Made it all worthwhile.
L.G. Cunningham
I'm getting through Darren Shan's 'Demonata' and 'Zom-B' series this year which are both highly enjoyable.
I've also devoured Jonathan Stroud's 'Lockwood & Co.' series - I hope we get to see a Netflix show for this!
I've also devoured Jonathan Stroud's 'Lockwood & Co.' series - I hope we get to see a Netflix show for this!
L.G. Cunningham
Without a doubt it would be Hogwarts! I'm a massive HP fan.
If I travelled to Hogwarts, I think I would like to just go exploring around the castle and grounds. Take it all in. I would also have to get a cup of tea in Hagrid's hut but wouldn't venture too close to the Forbidden Forest in case any of those giant spiders were about.
If I travelled to Hogwarts, I think I would like to just go exploring around the castle and grounds. Take it all in. I would also have to get a cup of tea in Hagrid's hut but wouldn't venture too close to the Forbidden Forest in case any of those giant spiders were about.
L.G. Cunningham
I've managed to avoid this by ensuring I develop a plot outline at the beginning of the process. Before I start to write, I know roughly whats going to happen in each chapter and how the book is going to end. So much more enjoyable when I know what I need to achieve in each chapter and can then let my imagination have some fun getting there.
My first attempt at writing was without any pre-planning or prep work and I ended up shelving the novel after 4k works as I didn't know where I was going with it.
My first attempt at writing was without any pre-planning or prep work and I ended up shelving the novel after 4k works as I didn't know where I was going with it.
L.G. Cunningham
1) Know your audience - you need who your book is going to be aimed at before you write one word. Once you have identified what category you're writing for and the age group of that category, my advice would be to research by reading the top sellers in your category of choice. Writing style, book length, cover art etc. should all be influenced by what is currently there (but don't be afraid to be different either).
2) Take an online writing course - I didn't study literature or journalism in university. I actually studied accounting! So I had to look up courses online to teach myself about the craft. I found the Masterclass courses to be very helpful and there are plenty of ones there on writing. Find one that works for you!
3) Plan - I found it so much easier to plan every chapter, the beginning, ending, character outlines before I started my first draft. That way, I knew exactly where I was going with the novel and could enjoy where my writing took me each chapter. When I say plan every chapter I mean plan the central theme / objective of the chapter.
4) WRITE! - I held myself accountable to 2k words per week which was just about doable given the fact I work full-time. I didn't care how bad these 2k words were once I reached my weekly goal. Before I knew it, I had a 30k first draft done. However, the real writing started on my second draft so don't get too downhearted if you feel like you're writing pure garbage initially.
2) Take an online writing course - I didn't study literature or journalism in university. I actually studied accounting! So I had to look up courses online to teach myself about the craft. I found the Masterclass courses to be very helpful and there are plenty of ones there on writing. Find one that works for you!
3) Plan - I found it so much easier to plan every chapter, the beginning, ending, character outlines before I started my first draft. That way, I knew exactly where I was going with the novel and could enjoy where my writing took me each chapter. When I say plan every chapter I mean plan the central theme / objective of the chapter.
4) WRITE! - I held myself accountable to 2k words per week which was just about doable given the fact I work full-time. I didn't care how bad these 2k words were once I reached my weekly goal. Before I knew it, I had a 30k first draft done. However, the real writing started on my second draft so don't get too downhearted if you feel like you're writing pure garbage initially.
L.G. Cunningham
The second novel in the Jitters anthology series.
Who would have thought family game night could go so terribly wrong?
Who would have thought family game night could go so terribly wrong?
L.G. Cunningham
I've always viewed a completed novel as a work of art. Something that can suddenly come into existence and capture the imagination of so many. Something that lives on long after we're gone.
I also love the element of escapism that a good piece of fiction can provide. Life can be very serious and there is nothing better than diving headfirst into a crazy adventure story. So many authors (J.K Rowling, R.L. Stine, Jonathan Stroud, Darren Shan, Roald Dahl etc.) have inspired me to create and I hope I can do for others what they have done for me.
I also love the element of escapism that a good piece of fiction can provide. Life can be very serious and there is nothing better than diving headfirst into a crazy adventure story. So many authors (J.K Rowling, R.L. Stine, Jonathan Stroud, Darren Shan, Roald Dahl etc.) have inspired me to create and I hope I can do for others what they have done for me.
L.G. Cunningham
I was sitting in a highly themed restaurant in Orlando with my fiancée and noticed a large, creepy, antique bird cage not far from our table.
I turned to my fiancée and said "I think I can do something with that."
I turned to my fiancée and said "I think I can do something with that."
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