Ask the Author: J.R. Hart
Answered Questions (6)
J.R. Hart
How do I get inspiration for stories? Everywhere. A lot comes from bits and pieces of overheard conversations. My newest WIP idea came from love letters I found from my grandfather to his lover that my grandmother had saved as evidence (Yes, my family is very messy. Why do you ask?) I've had stories come to me from various specific settings, ridiculous conversations, and bouncing ideas with a friend.
But that's not what this question is about, is it? No, this question is about how I get inspired to write. And the answer is: I sit down and I write. Every single day, I show up at my computer. Either I'm plotting something new on index cards, or I'm sitting down to type a section of the story I'm working on, or I'm focused on editing what I've written, but the common theme is, no matter what, I always show up. The only way to get something written, and to get inspired to do that writing, is to show up to the computer. You can train your brain to access that inspiration by showing up even when you don't feel inspired, until you find your inspiration with you.
But that's not what this question is about, is it? No, this question is about how I get inspired to write. And the answer is: I sit down and I write. Every single day, I show up at my computer. Either I'm plotting something new on index cards, or I'm sitting down to type a section of the story I'm working on, or I'm focused on editing what I've written, but the common theme is, no matter what, I always show up. The only way to get something written, and to get inspired to do that writing, is to show up to the computer. You can train your brain to access that inspiration by showing up even when you don't feel inspired, until you find your inspiration with you.
J.R. Hart
Splash came to me in a lot of ways. First, I saw a prompt about a first kiss happening in a fake drowning, and I couldn't get the prompt out of my head. It was so AWFUL, and I wondered if there could be any redemption there. The prompt came at a time where my brother was a manager at a local pool, and he talked about the worst people to interact with (like parents who drop their kids at the pool and get mad that lifeguards aren't babysitters) and the best (pool rats who make the job more enjoyable). Mixing in those very real stories about lifeguarding and summertime with the heat of a first romance, I wanted to tell a story about a fictional lifeguard that pulled from very real experiences, and that spun those into a believable, engaging queer love story.
Mostly, I wanted to show that summer love can change lives, even if it seems fleeting. I hope you enjoy!
Mostly, I wanted to show that summer love can change lives, even if it seems fleeting. I hope you enjoy!
J.R. Hart
My advice for aspiring writers is to set a hard deadline for yourself if you're wanting to complete a large project. This doesn't mean a deadline on the entire process start-to-finish (outlining, writing, revising, editing, querying), but to set a hard deadline on the outlining. The reason events like NaNoWriMo are so great is because they give you a finished product. Now, it'll be a finished product that requires a lot of work and editing, because nothing comes out of NaNoWriMo ready to publish after drafting, but having that opportunity to say "by this day, I want a first draft of x project done" is a good way to keep yourself motivated. Plus, if you do publish down the line, getting yourself used to writing on a deadline and showing up to the computer even when you don't feel like it is a great way to help you learn how to make creativity flow, even when it doesn't want to. Creativity doesn't always show up, but if you're always showing up, you'll likely start meeting creativity there more often. Keep that standing date with your creativity, and you'll get good results.
I'd also say that my advice is to figure out what you want from writing. Some people want to write just to share their thoughts, and don't plan on publication, and that's AMAZING. Some of the best stories I've ever read were from authors who never got published. So, knowing your goals going in also helps you know what you want to get out of the experience.
I'd also say that my advice is to figure out what you want from writing. Some people want to write just to share their thoughts, and don't plan on publication, and that's AMAZING. Some of the best stories I've ever read were from authors who never got published. So, knowing your goals going in also helps you know what you want to get out of the experience.
J.R. Hart
When it comes to writer's block, I have a few questions for myself:
1) Are the characters still talking to me?
2) How do I feel about this project?
3) What is my current emotional state?
4) What is the status of my other projects.
For 1, if my characters have stopped talking to me altogether, it usually means I made them mad. Sometimes this is a good thing, because it means I'm stretching them out of their comfort zone. Sometimes it's a bad thing, because it means I've done something out of character. Going back and seeing where my characters are, and when they were last really telling me a direction, helps me know if I should stick to my outline, veer off a little, or if I should look elsewhere for the source of the writer's block.
For 2, if I'm not feeling a project overall, it's a good sign that maybe I need to either take a hard look at my outline, or I need to step away from the project and see it again with fresh eyes. I recently put a Christmas novella on hold because I didn't feel like I was getting the right interaction between my characters, and it wasn't that I wasn't hearing from them... it was a critical issue in the outline itself that left me a little puzzled on where to go from there. I shelved it, and I'm excited to get back to work on it at a later date.
For 3, my mental health plays a big role in where I'm at with a given project. If I'm not feeling a project, and my characters are fine and my story is fine, sometimes it's time to take the day off, have a hot bath, and spend some time away from the story. A lot of times this even includes sitting and daydreaming until the right solution comes. Either way, time for myself is a good way to get back to where I need to be.
If it's not any of the above 3, and I still can't get the words to flow, it's time to take a look at my other projects. If I have a project that's in my pause pile, maybe I need to switch to it, or if I have a project that's been drafted, maybe I need to edit it earlier than planned. Sometimes it takes switching to another task to find the right fit for my mental state, even if it means pausing a project I know will be great at a later time.
1) Are the characters still talking to me?
2) How do I feel about this project?
3) What is my current emotional state?
4) What is the status of my other projects.
For 1, if my characters have stopped talking to me altogether, it usually means I made them mad. Sometimes this is a good thing, because it means I'm stretching them out of their comfort zone. Sometimes it's a bad thing, because it means I've done something out of character. Going back and seeing where my characters are, and when they were last really telling me a direction, helps me know if I should stick to my outline, veer off a little, or if I should look elsewhere for the source of the writer's block.
For 2, if I'm not feeling a project overall, it's a good sign that maybe I need to either take a hard look at my outline, or I need to step away from the project and see it again with fresh eyes. I recently put a Christmas novella on hold because I didn't feel like I was getting the right interaction between my characters, and it wasn't that I wasn't hearing from them... it was a critical issue in the outline itself that left me a little puzzled on where to go from there. I shelved it, and I'm excited to get back to work on it at a later date.
For 3, my mental health plays a big role in where I'm at with a given project. If I'm not feeling a project, and my characters are fine and my story is fine, sometimes it's time to take the day off, have a hot bath, and spend some time away from the story. A lot of times this even includes sitting and daydreaming until the right solution comes. Either way, time for myself is a good way to get back to where I need to be.
If it's not any of the above 3, and I still can't get the words to flow, it's time to take a look at my other projects. If I have a project that's in my pause pile, maybe I need to switch to it, or if I have a project that's been drafted, maybe I need to edit it earlier than planned. Sometimes it takes switching to another task to find the right fit for my mental state, even if it means pausing a project I know will be great at a later time.
J.R. Hart
I am currently working on a few different things, which are in different stages of the writing process:
This Vow- A sequel to the book This Christmas, covering the events that happen roughly 1 year and 3 months after the main story (pre-epilogue, because it's roughly 3 months after the epilogue of This Christmas). This is in the final beta stage before I send it off to my editor.
Stroke- A sequel to Splash, following a second summer with two fun characters those who have read Splash will know and love. This is in the pre-writing stage. I've got a plan, but I need to execute it!
Christmas on Main Street (a Novella)- A small-town florist is in danger of losing his business as rising rent costs start to threaten his ability to pay. When a big-shot from the city opens a coffee company, he realizes it sounds something out of a rom com, but life isn't really like the movies, right? This is in the draft phase.
Getting Off- When a gay sociology student texts his seemingly straight friend a question—do straight guys ever watch porn together?—he tells himself it's in the name of science. The text opens new doors to both of them, forcing them to confront some misguided ideas they have about sexuality, love, and what it means to live your best life. This story is in it's second draft.
This Vow- A sequel to the book This Christmas, covering the events that happen roughly 1 year and 3 months after the main story (pre-epilogue, because it's roughly 3 months after the epilogue of This Christmas). This is in the final beta stage before I send it off to my editor.
Stroke- A sequel to Splash, following a second summer with two fun characters those who have read Splash will know and love. This is in the pre-writing stage. I've got a plan, but I need to execute it!
Christmas on Main Street (a Novella)- A small-town florist is in danger of losing his business as rising rent costs start to threaten his ability to pay. When a big-shot from the city opens a coffee company, he realizes it sounds something out of a rom com, but life isn't really like the movies, right? This is in the draft phase.
Getting Off- When a gay sociology student texts his seemingly straight friend a question—do straight guys ever watch porn together?—he tells himself it's in the name of science. The text opens new doors to both of them, forcing them to confront some misguided ideas they have about sexuality, love, and what it means to live your best life. This story is in it's second draft.
J.R. Hart
So far this summer, I've read (and loved!) Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett, Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith, and You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson. Before the end of summer, I hope to finish reading Tomboyland, The Knockout Queen, and Date Me Bryson Keller. If you have any recommendations I should check out, I'd love to hear them!
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