Ask the Author: Kathryn Nelson
Answered Questions (6)
Kathryn Nelson
Write.
Like any skill, writing takes practice. Write about different topics in different styles. Experiment. Play. You'll get better with practice.
Also read, and read widely. Learn what you do and don't like, what works well and what doesn't. Analyse why you liked a particular sentence or character or scene. Take the time to appreciate a beautifully crafted sentence.
Like any skill, writing takes practice. Write about different topics in different styles. Experiment. Play. You'll get better with practice.
Also read, and read widely. Learn what you do and don't like, what works well and what doesn't. Analyse why you liked a particular sentence or character or scene. Take the time to appreciate a beautifully crafted sentence.
Kathryn Nelson
I've been practicing the art of acceptance. It's really frustrating when something's not working out the way you want it to. Sometimes, you have to accept that. You don't have to like it or agree with what's happening but acceptance teaches you not to waste energy fighting against it. Accept it for now and work around it.
I usually have several projects on the go at any one time, so if one piece of writing isn't flowing, I can switch to something else. Sometimes more research helps, or just doing something else all together, like going for a walk or doing some gardening. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing. Berating yourself for not writing enough isn't helpful.
I usually have several projects on the go at any one time, so if one piece of writing isn't flowing, I can switch to something else. Sometimes more research helps, or just doing something else all together, like going for a walk or doing some gardening. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing. Berating yourself for not writing enough isn't helpful.
Kathryn Nelson
No. I don't like horror. I think there's already enough horror in the world. Through my writing, I'm trying to bring more light and compassion, hope and thoughtfulness into the world.
Kathryn Nelson
That question has so many answers. I think first of all, I'd go to Anne McCaffrey's world of Pern (an acronym for Parallels Earth, Resources Negligible) where I'd become a dragon rider. I'd get my own dragon and ride around in outlandish adventures.
Kathryn Nelson
Ideas are everywhere. How closely are you paying attention? Are you listening to the couple in the seat in front of you on the bus? Did you notice that woman wearing a pink jumper carrying a skateboard? Did you see the pattern of systematic control that the dictator used to maintain his ruthless grip of power? Did you see the way she smiled when I complimented her dress?
Like every seed, the idea needs space and encouragement to grow. It needs those rainy afternoons staring out the window. It needs those long blustery walks across the hills. It can use those brief moments waiting in a queue, commuting to work, making a cup of tea, having a shower. It requires imagination, courage, tenacity.
Like a scattering of seeds, not every one blossoms into a fertile flower. Some are discarded, overgrown, morphed. Some are stored, saved for later, for another day.
Like every beginning, ideas need patience and support.
Like every seed, the idea needs space and encouragement to grow. It needs those rainy afternoons staring out the window. It needs those long blustery walks across the hills. It can use those brief moments waiting in a queue, commuting to work, making a cup of tea, having a shower. It requires imagination, courage, tenacity.
Like a scattering of seeds, not every one blossoms into a fertile flower. Some are discarded, overgrown, morphed. Some are stored, saved for later, for another day.
Like every beginning, ideas need patience and support.
Kathryn Nelson
I've got a few different projects on the go at the moment. The main one is a new urban fantasy series. It's a bit of a change of from the Ethra Born series and I'm really enjoying the new challenge.
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