Ask the Author: Kevin Sutherland
Answered Questions (7)
Kevin Sutherland
Be curious about your own writing. We so easily fall into the habit of being critical of our own writing, picking at what we don't do well and comparing ourselves to others. Criticism, whether from ourselves or others, is generally a negative experience. This makes us reluctant to take an honest look at our writing, which slows down our growth as writers.
An alternative is to simply be curious about our writing, to come to know our strengths, weakness, styles, voice, etc. without self-judgment. That doesn't mean we should be uninterested in improving our writing. It simply means that we should know and accept where we're at today, so that we can plot a path for tomorrow. For example, I personally haven't done a great job at establishing a character's physical appearance when they're first introduced. Doesn't make me a bad person or a hopeless writer. But it does impact the experience of the reader, and so I'm committed to improving this aspect of my writing.
An added benefit is that when we know about ourselves as writers, we're less likely to be surprised or offended when others offer constructive criticism, as they most certainly will.
So be curious about your writing, and be kind to yourself. We're all works in progress.
An alternative is to simply be curious about our writing, to come to know our strengths, weakness, styles, voice, etc. without self-judgment. That doesn't mean we should be uninterested in improving our writing. It simply means that we should know and accept where we're at today, so that we can plot a path for tomorrow. For example, I personally haven't done a great job at establishing a character's physical appearance when they're first introduced. Doesn't make me a bad person or a hopeless writer. But it does impact the experience of the reader, and so I'm committed to improving this aspect of my writing.
An added benefit is that when we know about ourselves as writers, we're less likely to be surprised or offended when others offer constructive criticism, as they most certainly will.
So be curious about your writing, and be kind to yourself. We're all works in progress.
Kevin Sutherland
I declutter. My biggest enemy to writing is distraction, and every task undone within my working space is an opportunity for distraction. And it's not just the physical space I declutter. The mind brings with it its own clutter, wherever you're at. So a lot of times, I engage in mindfulness exercises before I write, to calm the never-ending todo list in my head.
Kevin Sutherland
Writing what I want to read.
Kevin Sutherland
I'm currently working on the first sequel to Wellspring. I "pantsed" Wellspring, but am taking the time to outline this next one.
Kevin Sutherland
One of the things that seems to hang me up is trying to write a scene as I first imagined it. I get fixated on the POV, the setting, the characters involved, a one-liner I want to work in, etc., and I have a hard time building the scene around it. To break through the block, I'll start the scene from scratch, switching up some or all of what I had initially envisioned. The new version might not be the direction I ultimately head in, but it at least stops whatever feedback loop I'm in and gets the words flowing again.
Kevin Sutherland
Right now, I'd have to say Middle Earth, the Shire. Friendly folks to chat with, lots of food, plenty of booze. And I don't know what's in those pipes, but I have a feeling it ain't tobacco.
Kevin Sutherland
I knew then that I would die in this room, shoeless and sockless. The floor was covered in Legos.
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