Ask the Author: Lydia Marhold
Answered Questions (6)
Lydia Marhold
Finding an audience has definitely been the most difficult.
Writing is fun. It’s not much trouble other than the “writer’s block” that chops up now and then. I feel like it’s my true and foremost calling in life. Writing my stories makes me feel accomplished and gives me purpose.
Assuming funding the project is no issue, it’s really not all that hard to get published especially if the objective is to just get the book to print. There are self-publishing sites out there that make the process pretty smooth. I don’t know much about other methods of publishing, though. Traditional sounds like a pain unless you are well established as a writer with a solid reader base and following. But even then, it seems like there are a ton of publishers out there to give a try.
When it comes to actually distributing the completed book, I’ve struggled. Although, my experience thus far has only been with high school project books which were pretty roughly done.
I’m optimistic about this next book, though (currently titled “Rise of the Fallen”). Because I’m giving it the time and effort to become fully developed, I expect if I go through enough stages, when I decide it has finally reached its best version before going to publishing, it’ll be easier for me to feel passionate about getting it into the hands of readers who appreciate its content. I think part of it is just sincerely believing the book is worth the reader’s time and can pitch it well. If I, the writer, doubt the book is that good, how can I dream of selling it to someone else?
Of course, I’m aware there’s way more to marketing something than that. I know so little personally, but definitely learning and growing.
Writing is fun. It’s not much trouble other than the “writer’s block” that chops up now and then. I feel like it’s my true and foremost calling in life. Writing my stories makes me feel accomplished and gives me purpose.
Assuming funding the project is no issue, it’s really not all that hard to get published especially if the objective is to just get the book to print. There are self-publishing sites out there that make the process pretty smooth. I don’t know much about other methods of publishing, though. Traditional sounds like a pain unless you are well established as a writer with a solid reader base and following. But even then, it seems like there are a ton of publishers out there to give a try.
When it comes to actually distributing the completed book, I’ve struggled. Although, my experience thus far has only been with high school project books which were pretty roughly done.
I’m optimistic about this next book, though (currently titled “Rise of the Fallen”). Because I’m giving it the time and effort to become fully developed, I expect if I go through enough stages, when I decide it has finally reached its best version before going to publishing, it’ll be easier for me to feel passionate about getting it into the hands of readers who appreciate its content. I think part of it is just sincerely believing the book is worth the reader’s time and can pitch it well. If I, the writer, doubt the book is that good, how can I dream of selling it to someone else?
Of course, I’m aware there’s way more to marketing something than that. I know so little personally, but definitely learning and growing.
Lydia Marhold
There are so many resources on writing in all of the different forms out there.
Some give just the basics of writing and how to compose a creative piece, others present more advanced concepts and advice. All of them have the potential to make a difference for you in your writing journey, but the best they can do overall is motivate you to just start or continue writing.
I’ve done classes, groups, read books, watched YouTube videos, listened to podcasts, etc. and I’m at a point in my writing ability, where I don’t glean much any more that will actually improve my writing directly. A lot seems to only reiterate what I’ve already learned somewhere else. It feels somewhat repetitive. I still listen, watch, and read, because, now and then, something different is presented, at least in a new way, that I find helpful. But even so, it still only really inspires me to do what I’ve been doing: to keep writing.
And ultimately that’s what it comes down to. Just keep writing and writing, more and more. Experience is the best way to get better at anything. As the saying goes: “practice makes perfect”.
Of course, I can’t expect as much improvement if I did not receive feedback on my writing and act on it. But that, to me, is different than ingesting countless opinions on writing in general. Getting fresh eyes and perspective on your work specifically is important no matter where you are in a writing career. Even authors who’ve published a plethora of books and have been at this for many years seek constructive feedback from others on their work. Regardless of your level of experience, you will always overlook things in your own writing. From small inconsistencies to major plot holes, it happens to the best us.
I don’t have a ton of experience or achievement under my belt, but if you want to know my recommendations or advice on how to improve your writing skill, I’ll tell you what I’ve been told and have discovered to be true: JUST WRITE.
But as you do, let others read and critique it. Grow a thick skin and allow the criticism, no matter how hard to hear, to teach you. It isn’t about you personally (it shouldn’t be). It’s about words you’ve strung together. It’s gonna be bad sometimes, maybe most of the time. But the more you do it, the better it will get.
Some give just the basics of writing and how to compose a creative piece, others present more advanced concepts and advice. All of them have the potential to make a difference for you in your writing journey, but the best they can do overall is motivate you to just start or continue writing.
I’ve done classes, groups, read books, watched YouTube videos, listened to podcasts, etc. and I’m at a point in my writing ability, where I don’t glean much any more that will actually improve my writing directly. A lot seems to only reiterate what I’ve already learned somewhere else. It feels somewhat repetitive. I still listen, watch, and read, because, now and then, something different is presented, at least in a new way, that I find helpful. But even so, it still only really inspires me to do what I’ve been doing: to keep writing.
And ultimately that’s what it comes down to. Just keep writing and writing, more and more. Experience is the best way to get better at anything. As the saying goes: “practice makes perfect”.
Of course, I can’t expect as much improvement if I did not receive feedback on my writing and act on it. But that, to me, is different than ingesting countless opinions on writing in general. Getting fresh eyes and perspective on your work specifically is important no matter where you are in a writing career. Even authors who’ve published a plethora of books and have been at this for many years seek constructive feedback from others on their work. Regardless of your level of experience, you will always overlook things in your own writing. From small inconsistencies to major plot holes, it happens to the best us.
I don’t have a ton of experience or achievement under my belt, but if you want to know my recommendations or advice on how to improve your writing skill, I’ll tell you what I’ve been told and have discovered to be true: JUST WRITE.
But as you do, let others read and critique it. Grow a thick skin and allow the criticism, no matter how hard to hear, to teach you. It isn’t about you personally (it shouldn’t be). It’s about words you’ve strung together. It’s gonna be bad sometimes, maybe most of the time. But the more you do it, the better it will get.
Lydia Marhold
Sharing stories that have lived in my head, in most cases, for years. There’s a measure of relief, gratification, satisfaction, whatever the word is, that I get from fleshing out the characters and adventures for others to hopefully enjoy and be inspired by.
Lydia Marhold
Listening to music can be a huge help, as it sparks creativity and gets me in the right head space. I have a wide range of genres I enjoy. What I decide to listen to for a certain spot that I’m stuck at, depends on the mood, the characters involved, the setting, and other things.
Sometimes, just talking through a difficult spot works for me. I consult the greatest Author for guidance and spit ball any possible avenue to get the story moving from where it has stalled.
Sometimes, just talking through a difficult spot works for me. I consult the greatest Author for guidance and spit ball any possible avenue to get the story moving from where it has stalled.
Lydia Marhold
I’m not very good at hunting down ideas for a story or book. Honestly, most of what I write are stories I’ve been working over, contemplating, and planning since I was a teenager.
I’ve always been very introverted. As a little kid, I had a few friends, but what I lacked in social interactions, I made up for through imaginary friends. As I got older, I came up with stories to describe who they were and what their lives were like.
As I got into my teen years those stories developed into full sized narratives.
By high school, I was committed to sharing these stories in books. I felt certain that God gave these stories to me for a purpose beyond entertaining myself. I hoped, and still do, that these books would be used by Him in whatever way He wills.
I’ve always been very introverted. As a little kid, I had a few friends, but what I lacked in social interactions, I made up for through imaginary friends. As I got older, I came up with stories to describe who they were and what their lives were like.
As I got into my teen years those stories developed into full sized narratives.
By high school, I was committed to sharing these stories in books. I felt certain that God gave these stories to me for a purpose beyond entertaining myself. I hoped, and still do, that these books would be used by Him in whatever way He wills.
Lydia Marhold
I’m about two-thirds through a first draft of an epic fantasy novel that will, Lord willing, be the first of a series.
The current title is “Rise of the Fallen”.
Much of the world is in a perpetual darkness and ruled by a prince known as the Dark Beast.
The main character, Wren, lives in the land still illuminated by sunlight. But he is thrusted into a conflict between tribes of a people believed by most to be cursed and dangerous with unusual powers. In the midst of it all, he finds himself being pursued, by the Dark Beast himself.
Wren struggles to determine why the prince of the dark lands has taken a personal interest in him, complicating an already challenging journey through foreign territories filled with rich history, a unique culture, and wild beasts.
The current title is “Rise of the Fallen”.
Much of the world is in a perpetual darkness and ruled by a prince known as the Dark Beast.
The main character, Wren, lives in the land still illuminated by sunlight. But he is thrusted into a conflict between tribes of a people believed by most to be cursed and dangerous with unusual powers. In the midst of it all, he finds himself being pursued, by the Dark Beast himself.
Wren struggles to determine why the prince of the dark lands has taken a personal interest in him, complicating an already challenging journey through foreign territories filled with rich history, a unique culture, and wild beasts.
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