Ask the Author: Chris Lodwig
Answered Questions (7)
Chris Lodwig
Systemic popped into being while I was on the bus. My phone died, and my laptop died, and I had nothing to do for 45 minutes. So, I picked up a pen and wrote the first line based on a scene I glimpsed while driving West on I-90 after leaving Yellow Stone Park. After that, I wanted to see what that first line was about, and why Eryn wanted to get home so bad.
9 months later I had a rickety manuscript. Then I spent 2 years cleaning it up.
It's infused with a bunch of stuff I love to think about, like the death of objective truth, environmental destruction, and overpopulation. But I wanted it to be about solutions to those problems not the problems themselves, even if those solutions are not ideal.
Several of my favorite quirks of human psychology also shaped the story, but I don't want to name them for fear of spoiling the read.
I was also intrigued by the AI’s motivation and personality...which I'll not describe here.
9 months later I had a rickety manuscript. Then I spent 2 years cleaning it up.
It's infused with a bunch of stuff I love to think about, like the death of objective truth, environmental destruction, and overpopulation. But I wanted it to be about solutions to those problems not the problems themselves, even if those solutions are not ideal.
Several of my favorite quirks of human psychology also shaped the story, but I don't want to name them for fear of spoiling the read.
I was also intrigued by the AI’s motivation and personality...which I'll not describe here.
Chris Lodwig
For me it's generally two people having a conversation, or a specific scene I can see in my mind. Those are the things that get me started. Then I naturally fold in ideas I'm having in the shower, or while listening to books or NPR or Ted Talks, or philosophical ideas I argue about with friends over drinks.
And there are few things I enjoy more than editing and polishing up the work I've already done. It's not inspired so much but it is joyful, and why else would I write if not for the enjoyment of it?
And there are few things I enjoy more than editing and polishing up the work I've already done. It's not inspired so much but it is joyful, and why else would I write if not for the enjoyment of it?
Chris Lodwig
I'm working on the sequel to Systemic. It takes place in the world that the first book left behind. Right now I'm in the early stages. Getting the time frame right, establishing the world, and the characters, and doing research on things like how fast people travel on horseback, and looking at maps to set travel distances, doing date calculations, all those details that bug me when I don't get them right and might leave holes in my eventual story if they aren't there framing it.
I've decided to outline the plot of this one first and see if that is useful or troublesome. Thus far is seems like a more efficient though less enjoyable way of writing, so the jury is still out. That said, this weekend I had a great series of revelations about how the world, the cultures, the characters, and the plot all intersect. So I hope I've broken through some wall and it will get easier from here.
I've decided to outline the plot of this one first and see if that is useful or troublesome. Thus far is seems like a more efficient though less enjoyable way of writing, so the jury is still out. That said, this weekend I had a great series of revelations about how the world, the cultures, the characters, and the plot all intersect. So I hope I've broken through some wall and it will get easier from here.
Chris Lodwig
Seeing ideas that surprise me just fall out of my brain. I still remember when the twist in Systemic happened and I was like, "Hey that's totally cool!" I didn't see it coming. It felt like someone else wrote it for me.
There is also this wonderful release when you phrase something in a way that, to your mind at least, feels perfect. That's really satisfying.
I also love when someone tells me something about my story I didn't know. That never ceases to make me smile.
There is also this wonderful release when you phrase something in a way that, to your mind at least, feels perfect. That's really satisfying.
I also love when someone tells me something about my story I didn't know. That never ceases to make me smile.
Chris Lodwig
I think that writer's block for me has to do with embarrassment or shame. Like just seeing myself write something horrible it too much for my ego to take. So I give myself permission, or sometimes even *force* myself to write utter crap including phrases to myself like, "Okay, so here's an idea that maybe I can do something with..." and "I know this is dumb but let's see where it gets us..." And I know that no one but me will ever see my brain dumps until I've edited and deleted about half of it.
I also have other tricks like, using the dictate feature to talk through things, or writing by hand, or on my phone, or talking to my 12 year old about ideas I have.
After I've tried all of those techniques I usually am well unblocked.
I also have other tricks like, using the dictate feature to talk through things, or writing by hand, or on my phone, or talking to my 12 year old about ideas I have.
After I've tried all of those techniques I usually am well unblocked.
Chris Lodwig
Evan, Julie, and Robert’s YouTube ghost hunt wasn’t finding any ghosts, so when Wendy happened by and asked them what was up, they decided to make their own.
Chris Lodwig
I'm starting to look at books that will help inspire me for my sequel to Systemic. I'm thinking of revisiting the Foundation books by Asimov, as well as some weird random survivalist books, and anything in the post apocalyptic genre, but then again I could just watch the news these days.
If you have any suggestions for post apocalyptic books I'd be happy to hear them.
If you have any suggestions for post apocalyptic books I'd be happy to hear them.
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