Ask the Author: Tagg West
Answered Questions (8)
Tagg West
I was sitting in a chair while chewing gum. I tossed the gum into a nearby wastebasket. Later, when I got up, I found the gum stuck the back of my foot. As far as I can tell, there was no physical way that could have happened. I think I may have discovered teleportation portals.
Tagg West
Focus more on writing than on being a writer. I have to remind myself of that sometimes, but I also do better work when I remember that principle.
Tagg West
It would definitely be the Mesdu people from Under the Cold Sun. It's interesting because it's a fictional civilization layered onto an existing real-world location (Gough Island). I hope to go there in person someday, but going to the fictional version of it would definitely be a blast.
Tagg West
I'm currently working with beta readers and a developmental editor on my most recent novel so I can identify and weak spots and tighten them up before publication. It's going great so far!
In the meantime, I'm working on exploring ideas and concepts for where to go next. I might expand my current work in progress into a full series, or I might start something totally different. I haven't decided yet.
In the meantime, I'm working on exploring ideas and concepts for where to go next. I might expand my current work in progress into a full series, or I might start something totally different. I haven't decided yet.
Tagg West
Finishing something! A finished section, chapter, or entire book is just super satisfying.
Tagg West
I don't know if it's because of the way I write or just dumb luck, but so far I've never really had to deal with it. I try to write my stories with heavily motivated characters with a clear approach to life, so there's not usually much question about what they'd do next. When I combine that with detailed outlining and a strong sense of where the story's going, it's hard to get blocked. I almost always know what I need to write next.
Tagg West
I track my writing sessions with start and end times and word counts, so I can calculate my "words per hour" score (almost like a runner tracking their pace). I find that the best inspiration to write is simply to start the clock, because then I have to write something or I'm going to have a crappy pace score!
Tagg West
I really wanted to explore the concept of worldbuilding within a contemporary setting (i.e., present-day earth). I'd always been fascinated with Gough Island (one of the most remote spots on earth), and started thinking "What if there really were a new culture there?"
Obviously, there had to be some backstory to explain some of the obvious questions (like "wouldn't it show up on satellite photos?"), and much of the overall conflict basically evolved naturally out of that backstory.
Obviously, there had to be some backstory to explain some of the obvious questions (like "wouldn't it show up on satellite photos?"), and much of the overall conflict basically evolved naturally out of that backstory.
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