Ask the Author: E.G. Bella
Answered Questions (15)
E.G. Bella
By simply living! I find inspiration in the people I meet, loved ones, random interactions with strangers in the grocery store or at work, through media (books, movies, tv shows, music), by walking through nature, in just letting my mind run wild with "what ifs"... It's amazing how much story inspiration can be found in the most minor and mundane aspects of life, if I only look for it. <3
E.G. Bella
I love sprinkling humor through my books (even though my books could never be considered comedy)! I can't think of a specific pun that I've used, but Cabin Girl features a lot of dad-joke-esque, "punny" humor, from one character in particular.
E.G. Bella
My recent book is A Noble Grace, a nonmagical Beauty and the Beast retelling, so my inspiration is probably pretty obvious :) I enjoyed drawing from the original iterations of the fairy tale, as well as throwing in a couple of nods to the Disney version/s. The tale has so much depth and potential for character growth, and I can't resist those kinds of stories.
E.G. Bella
This is such a great question! It was surprisingly difficult to craft a Beauty and the Beast story without ANY magic, but I ultimately decided to take that page space and devote it to the characters and their growth. We all have some beastly and some beautiful qualities inside of us, and I've tried to explore that!
E.G. Bella
Hmm, I don't think I can pick just one absolute favorite, but I really enjoy a certain scene at the end of chapter 9. Ever since writing it for the first time, it's made me smile, and I enjoy the turning point that it is. No spoilers though!
E.G. Bella
This is so tricky. I'm typically a pretty even mix of both, but that's a boring answer. So if I have to pick one, I'd have to say I lean more towards being a discovery writer. I love plotting and planning, and usually do start stories with an outline. BUT when I actually get to writing, I almost never stick to that outline. New ideas pop up in the moment and I just go with them. Most of the time they end up being better anyway, haha!
E.G. Bella
Good question! There are so many... Hinds' Feet in High Places, anything by Nadine Brandes, the Harry Potter series, The Scorpio Races, Bridge to Terabithia, The Chronicles of Narnia...all for different reasons. Some inspire my writing style, some inspire the themes and content in my books, and other inspire which genres I write.
E.G. Bella
Procrastination, mostly...
And more productively, I try to immerse myself in creativity! This means reading a book, watching a movie, or even just listening to music that I find inspiring and emotional. I try to have it relate somehow to the project that I'm stuck on (for example, I watched the POTC series when I was stuck writing Cabin Girl, my pirate novel), but anything that gets my creative juices flowing, and my heart and mind engaged work great.
Afterward, I don't go straight to the project again. I like to do a couple of things that keep my body active but my mind free to wander and problem-solve. Taking a walk, washing dishes, taking a shower, or folding laundry all work great for me. And as I do, I usually end up stumbling across some ideas to try when I write again.
The creativity from the book/movie/music fills me with inspiration, and then the free mental time allows my brain to make connections to my own story, giving me some new ideas and motivation. And then I just sit down and make myself write! I can start with a flash fiction piece, a character interview, or just outlining, but sooner or later, I always make my way back to the story.
Writer's block is frustrating, but it doesn't have to be forever, thankfully!
And more productively, I try to immerse myself in creativity! This means reading a book, watching a movie, or even just listening to music that I find inspiring and emotional. I try to have it relate somehow to the project that I'm stuck on (for example, I watched the POTC series when I was stuck writing Cabin Girl, my pirate novel), but anything that gets my creative juices flowing, and my heart and mind engaged work great.
Afterward, I don't go straight to the project again. I like to do a couple of things that keep my body active but my mind free to wander and problem-solve. Taking a walk, washing dishes, taking a shower, or folding laundry all work great for me. And as I do, I usually end up stumbling across some ideas to try when I write again.
The creativity from the book/movie/music fills me with inspiration, and then the free mental time allows my brain to make connections to my own story, giving me some new ideas and motivation. And then I just sit down and make myself write! I can start with a flash fiction piece, a character interview, or just outlining, but sooner or later, I always make my way back to the story.
Writer's block is frustrating, but it doesn't have to be forever, thankfully!
E.G. Bella
Where have all the pairs to my socks gone?
E.G. Bella
Publishing my 7,000 word short story, 'The Toymaker's Doll'! You can expect to find it as an ebook on Amazon starting December 20th. This story is so dear to my heart, and I look forward to sharing it with a larger audience - with the prayer that the lessons touch others as much as they've touched me.
E.G. Bella
The teacher turned, her steely gaze sweeping across the classroom. "Pop quiz."
E.G. Bella
Definitely Narnia, and I would love to spend time talking and exploring with Aslan, Mr. Tumnus, the Beavers, Reepicheep, and all the rest of the Narnians. I would also love to visit the Shire. The hobbits always seem to be laughing. :)
E.G. Bella
Books I'm hoping to get through this summer (2021) include:
~ 'God's Smuggler' by Brother Andrew
~ 'Dust' by Kara Swanson
~ The 'Maze Runner' series by James Dashner (re-read)
~ 'Beneath a Scarlet Sky' by Mark Sullivan
~ 'The Pursuit of God' by A. W. Tozer
~ 'Calligraphy Guild' by R. M. Archer
~ 'Fawkes' by Nadine Brandes
~ 'Runt the Brave' by Daniel Schwabauer
~ 'God's Smuggler' by Brother Andrew
~ 'Dust' by Kara Swanson
~ The 'Maze Runner' series by James Dashner (re-read)
~ 'Beneath a Scarlet Sky' by Mark Sullivan
~ 'The Pursuit of God' by A. W. Tozer
~ 'Calligraphy Guild' by R. M. Archer
~ 'Fawkes' by Nadine Brandes
~ 'Runt the Brave' by Daniel Schwabauer
E.G. Bella
For me, it's finding out that my writing has positively influenced others. Whether my blog post encouraged someone, my comic relief character made someone laugh, or most of all, my stories inspired someone to have hope even through difficulty, knowing God has used my writing for good makes all the hard work worth it.
E.G. Bella
Keep writing AND keep reading!
The only way to actually improve at writing is to write, so have fun with it! Experiment with genres, story lengths, and plot ideas until you find the types of stories you like to write best. Write chronologically, out-of-order, short stories, novels, drabbles - anything and everything. Don't be afraid to try out new things, and most of all just keep getting those words out. The longer you write, the more refined your personal writing style and your skill will grow.
And don't forget to keep reading too! Fiction, non-fiction, novels, short stories, any genres...as you read, stay aware of how the author handles certain situations. How do they write their descriptions? What is their writing style like? Are their characters relatable? If you enjoy the book, study why, and take note of how you might use similar strategies in your own writing. And if you don't enjoy it, figure out why not - and stay away from using similar content in your works. Reading how-to books on the craft of writing is also a fantastic way to keep learning.
Lastly, remember that if you write, you're already a writer! And if you continue to write and read diligently, your skills are only going to improve. You've got this!
The only way to actually improve at writing is to write, so have fun with it! Experiment with genres, story lengths, and plot ideas until you find the types of stories you like to write best. Write chronologically, out-of-order, short stories, novels, drabbles - anything and everything. Don't be afraid to try out new things, and most of all just keep getting those words out. The longer you write, the more refined your personal writing style and your skill will grow.
And don't forget to keep reading too! Fiction, non-fiction, novels, short stories, any genres...as you read, stay aware of how the author handles certain situations. How do they write their descriptions? What is their writing style like? Are their characters relatable? If you enjoy the book, study why, and take note of how you might use similar strategies in your own writing. And if you don't enjoy it, figure out why not - and stay away from using similar content in your works. Reading how-to books on the craft of writing is also a fantastic way to keep learning.
Lastly, remember that if you write, you're already a writer! And if you continue to write and read diligently, your skills are only going to improve. You've got this!
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