Ask the Author: D. Fox
Answered Questions (5)
D. Fox
Being a writer is a great excuse for bad habits.
On a serious note- I can honestly say one of the best things about it are the great writers and readers I meet along the way; the many new things I learn about writing and myself in the process.
I was listening to a Brendon Sanderson's lecture (his lectures are posted for free on YouTube ) where he was talking about world building in a fantasy novel. He was explaining all the things a fantasy writer should consider, however, what really stayed with me was that he said writing allows you to create something out of nothing; as a writer, you make people imagine things. How cool is that?
And I think one of the best things about not only writing, but also art in any of its other forms- is the ability to inspire and invoke an emotion in someone. It's really worth more than anything.
On a serious note- I can honestly say one of the best things about it are the great writers and readers I meet along the way; the many new things I learn about writing and myself in the process.
I was listening to a Brendon Sanderson's lecture (his lectures are posted for free on YouTube ) where he was talking about world building in a fantasy novel. He was explaining all the things a fantasy writer should consider, however, what really stayed with me was that he said writing allows you to create something out of nothing; as a writer, you make people imagine things. How cool is that?
And I think one of the best things about not only writing, but also art in any of its other forms- is the ability to inspire and invoke an emotion in someone. It's really worth more than anything.
D. Fox
I think if one aims to be a writer, and this is no longer a hobby, waiting for inspiration could be a luxury.
I am quite technical when it comes to plotting and outlining, and I often write the scenes I really want to write now, not those that are coming chronologically in the story. It helps me avoid getting stuck, although the reasons behind 'hitting the wall' aren't always necessarily the obvious ones, or because you literally don't know what to write.
They could be anything, from something in your personal life, to something hidden that prevents you from going forward.
In those cases, I just take a step back- not to look at the work as a 'whole' , but to take my mind off it.
It usually helps and when I get back to it (it always takes a different amount of time, ) I somehow know more about where I want to go with it and I only need to ask what my characters would do. It's like I meet them after a long time and we have a lot to talk about and I'm now ready to hear it.
I am quite technical when it comes to plotting and outlining, and I often write the scenes I really want to write now, not those that are coming chronologically in the story. It helps me avoid getting stuck, although the reasons behind 'hitting the wall' aren't always necessarily the obvious ones, or because you literally don't know what to write.
They could be anything, from something in your personal life, to something hidden that prevents you from going forward.
In those cases, I just take a step back- not to look at the work as a 'whole' , but to take my mind off it.
It usually helps and when I get back to it (it always takes a different amount of time, ) I somehow know more about where I want to go with it and I only need to ask what my characters would do. It's like I meet them after a long time and we have a lot to talk about and I'm now ready to hear it.
D. Fox
After I finished The Gentleman's Code, I went back to finishing a story I've wanted to write way before I began TGC.
It's a YA LGBTQ one, and I had put it on hold simply because I knew I wasn't ready to write it yet.
I've always thought there are certain tropes, or topics- we often shy away from openly discussing not only in real life, but also in the fictional narrative.
I didn't want to do that.
Gray Daze is a highly psychological tale and I can't wait for you to read it!
It's a YA LGBTQ one, and I had put it on hold simply because I knew I wasn't ready to write it yet.
I've always thought there are certain tropes, or topics- we often shy away from openly discussing not only in real life, but also in the fictional narrative.
I didn't want to do that.
Gray Daze is a highly psychological tale and I can't wait for you to read it!
D. Fox
I've never had those 'summer' or 'holiday' reading lists. I'm often tilting towards the same authors or genres I like and follow, but recently I am mostly spending time researching and reading non-fiction (I'm becoming more and more boring in my tastes in the past months, maybe)
However, I do have a 'to-read' list, which is not as extensive as I wish it would be. It includes everything that historical romance writers, such as K.J Charles, are planning to publish this year and I am definitely reading more from Mary Renault. The more I read her works, the more I realize how brilliant she is.
I am a huge, huge fan of Yoneda Kou- I keep saying this- so I'll be on the lookout for more art from her.
However, I do have a 'to-read' list, which is not as extensive as I wish it would be. It includes everything that historical romance writers, such as K.J Charles, are planning to publish this year and I am definitely reading more from Mary Renault. The more I read her works, the more I realize how brilliant she is.
I am a huge, huge fan of Yoneda Kou- I keep saying this- so I'll be on the lookout for more art from her.
D. Fox
Don't be afraid.
I'd tell all aspiring writers (to some extent I still see myself as one) to never be afraid of what might happen.
Ever. There are always many questions you'd ask yourself before you start writing a book, even more once you've already began working on the manuscript, or drafting it, and those question don't decrease over time, or when it's finished. On the contrary. They just change.
I had lunch with a very close friend of mine and I was telling her about my idea to write a book. I thought that was a completely absurd and ludicrous plan at the time. I also expected nothing to come out of it. Bus she said only one thing- 'just don't be afraid.'
I'm trying to repeat that to myself whenever I'm uncertain about writing and the reason of my uncertainty is my fear of rejection.
Just be brave, everything else will happen as it should, one step at a time
I'd tell all aspiring writers (to some extent I still see myself as one) to never be afraid of what might happen.
Ever. There are always many questions you'd ask yourself before you start writing a book, even more once you've already began working on the manuscript, or drafting it, and those question don't decrease over time, or when it's finished. On the contrary. They just change.
I had lunch with a very close friend of mine and I was telling her about my idea to write a book. I thought that was a completely absurd and ludicrous plan at the time. I also expected nothing to come out of it. Bus she said only one thing- 'just don't be afraid.'
I'm trying to repeat that to myself whenever I'm uncertain about writing and the reason of my uncertainty is my fear of rejection.
Just be brave, everything else will happen as it should, one step at a time
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