Ask the Author: Marcel M. du Plessis
Answered Questions (9)
Marcel M. du Plessis
Spend your soul working on a book. No one notices.
Marcel M. du Plessis
I would love to live on the Discworld - I mean who wouldn't? I don't think I'd live in Ankh-Morpork - not much of a city dweller, and it doesn't seem safe. Maybe in a secluded village in the Ramtops somewhere. Pratchett fans - you know what I'm talking about.
Marcel M. du Plessis
Looking for an epic fantasy to sink my teeth into. Currently reading through the Dune series and really enjoying it, but I'm still looking for something to fill the Joe Abercrombie hole in my reading list.
Marcel M. du Plessis
Sit down. Nail myself down. Close videos and social media - I can learn about Napoleon's battle tactics another time. Open the document. Read the start of the chapter or section or wherever I left off - reading it out loud is best.
Soon, without me noticing, I'm 'hearing' the story. I'm adding a sentence here. Tightening a description there. Now I'm writing scenes and crafting dialogues.
What were you saying about writer's block?
Soon, without me noticing, I'm 'hearing' the story. I'm adding a sentence here. Tightening a description there. Now I'm writing scenes and crafting dialogues.
What were you saying about writer's block?
Marcel M. du Plessis
Freedom. Sounds silly, but it's true. Yes, there are limits and certain rules of structure, character, and narrative that you have to conform to (more or less). But once you master this - once you make these elements the colors on your pallet - you can do whatever you want.
You can set the story that's singing in your ribcage free onto the page.
Freedom
You can set the story that's singing in your ribcage free onto the page.
Freedom
Marcel M. du Plessis
Don't stop. Even if no one likes your stuff. Never stop. Never give up - even when everything tells you you should.
Trust me, I've been there - rock bottom. But the act of writing kept bringing me back to the light, no matter how low things got.
You have to realize that your first draft is bad - it's bad for every writer. The first draft is there to 'teach' you about the book you're trying to write. It is a learning opportunity and not a finished product. You'll get far if you keep this in mind.
Writing is a skill, not a talent. Skills need to be improved. Anyone can learn a skill. What sets writing apart (slightly) is that it is hard to keep at it. The act can drive you to tears. It's important to know that the only difference between a writer and a non-writer is that the writer...didn't...give...up.
So, what are you waiting for? Go write!
Trust me, I've been there - rock bottom. But the act of writing kept bringing me back to the light, no matter how low things got.
You have to realize that your first draft is bad - it's bad for every writer. The first draft is there to 'teach' you about the book you're trying to write. It is a learning opportunity and not a finished product. You'll get far if you keep this in mind.
Writing is a skill, not a talent. Skills need to be improved. Anyone can learn a skill. What sets writing apart (slightly) is that it is hard to keep at it. The act can drive you to tears. It's important to know that the only difference between a writer and a non-writer is that the writer...didn't...give...up.
So, what are you waiting for? Go write!
Marcel M. du Plessis
I am currently working on the second volume of the Bright Report and an epic fantasy series. The latter is still being world-built (if I can put it like that). More info on these as they near completion.
Marcel M. du Plessis
I started out thinking that you had to wait for Calliope to descend from the heavens, but I soon found out that this wasn't how things really worked. Once I approached writing as a job (one I love, mind you), I could find it in myself to sit and crank out the word count.
Marcel M. du Plessis
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