Ask the Author: Tyler Mower
Answered Questions (4)
Tyler Mower
A great example of this came while I was writing "Simon".
After completing the first draft I realized I had not provided any descriptions of the characters. I opened my Word file and started working on defining the main character Simon. Try and try and try I did until my head was sore. For the life of me I could not describe him. Figuring it was writers block, I went on to the next character. The same thing happened. I went to the next character. Exact same outcome. Though the novel I went, not being able to describe any of the characters in any significant or satisfactory way.
Frustrated I gave up for a time, thinking perhaps I needed a break. When I got back to it, I sat down with the main character, Simon. My hands hovered over the keyboard not writing a word. I had no idea where to start. At that moment 1 Samuel 16:7 flashed in my mind. It reads in part, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature;…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
The story required that I not describe the characters appearance's, but rather focus on the status of their hearts. Once this clarification was recognized I move forward with the novel without any issues.
It may not always be the case, but writer's block could be a misalignment from what the story should be. Until alignment is found little progress will be made. Seek harmony of the story, which may require multiple attempts. Frustration may cause us to give up, or produce a shabby version of the story that was not meant to be. Persistence - across years if necessary - will hopefully bring everything together accord.
PS a good long hike or a full day skiing on my own is also a good way to clear my mind, relax, and find inspiration and motivation to proceed.
After completing the first draft I realized I had not provided any descriptions of the characters. I opened my Word file and started working on defining the main character Simon. Try and try and try I did until my head was sore. For the life of me I could not describe him. Figuring it was writers block, I went on to the next character. The same thing happened. I went to the next character. Exact same outcome. Though the novel I went, not being able to describe any of the characters in any significant or satisfactory way.
Frustrated I gave up for a time, thinking perhaps I needed a break. When I got back to it, I sat down with the main character, Simon. My hands hovered over the keyboard not writing a word. I had no idea where to start. At that moment 1 Samuel 16:7 flashed in my mind. It reads in part, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature;…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
The story required that I not describe the characters appearance's, but rather focus on the status of their hearts. Once this clarification was recognized I move forward with the novel without any issues.
It may not always be the case, but writer's block could be a misalignment from what the story should be. Until alignment is found little progress will be made. Seek harmony of the story, which may require multiple attempts. Frustration may cause us to give up, or produce a shabby version of the story that was not meant to be. Persistence - across years if necessary - will hopefully bring everything together accord.
PS a good long hike or a full day skiing on my own is also a good way to clear my mind, relax, and find inspiration and motivation to proceed.
Tyler Mower
Simon was inspired as I watched a movie. At three in the morning a light ignited in my mind.
My current work, Sliverware, was inspired after a decade of performing improvisational comedy. In particular, a specific moment in a show that opened my eyes to how improvisation can change our lives.
Another story I'm working on was inspired as I read the scriptures backwards.
One of my favorite stories I've drafted was inspired as I sought to liven up my day job. Each morning I gave myself 5 minutes to write a story. At first I sent it to one other coworker, who was so intrigued after a few days that he started sharing it with others. Soon I was sending daily pieces of the story to everyone who worked at the office. Some even printed them off and read them to their children for goodnight stories.
I have worked in the digital marketing industry for over a decade. The lessons I've learned there apply shockingly well to life as well. One day at a marketing conference I was underwhelmed at the information provided. I thought, "Cripes, don't just say what everyone already knows find the next steps, advance the concepts!" The light went off in my head. I knew what I had to write.
Inspiration seems to come unexpectedly, but based on the circumstances I'm in and the opportunity my experiences have set me up for. Keep your eyes open. Always be curious. Because the smallest thing can sometimes turn into a magnificent story.
My current work, Sliverware, was inspired after a decade of performing improvisational comedy. In particular, a specific moment in a show that opened my eyes to how improvisation can change our lives.
Another story I'm working on was inspired as I read the scriptures backwards.
One of my favorite stories I've drafted was inspired as I sought to liven up my day job. Each morning I gave myself 5 minutes to write a story. At first I sent it to one other coworker, who was so intrigued after a few days that he started sharing it with others. Soon I was sending daily pieces of the story to everyone who worked at the office. Some even printed them off and read them to their children for goodnight stories.
I have worked in the digital marketing industry for over a decade. The lessons I've learned there apply shockingly well to life as well. One day at a marketing conference I was underwhelmed at the information provided. I thought, "Cripes, don't just say what everyone already knows find the next steps, advance the concepts!" The light went off in my head. I knew what I had to write.
Inspiration seems to come unexpectedly, but based on the circumstances I'm in and the opportunity my experiences have set me up for. Keep your eyes open. Always be curious. Because the smallest thing can sometimes turn into a magnificent story.
Tyler Mower
Our lives are multi-faceted. Though historical-fiction or biblical-fiction is of great interest to me, another aspect of my life is with improvisational comedy. I have performed and been associated with improv comedy for over a decade. I've performed for thousands of people in multiple locations. Through that journey I have found some amazing lessons that can help us build trust, live in confidence, and have a blast doing it.
My current literary work is entitled "Sliverware" - there is most definitely a comedic reason for that name which I will share at a later time. The novel focuses on my experiences as an improvisor and the life lessons from moments on stage that can be applied in our lives daily.
My current literary work is entitled "Sliverware" - there is most definitely a comedic reason for that name which I will share at a later time. The novel focuses on my experiences as an improvisor and the life lessons from moments on stage that can be applied in our lives daily.
Tyler Mower
One restless night, I sat in bed stewing over the current situation of my life. I was not satisfied with what I was doing with work, my social life, and I felt like I was a decade behind where I should have been in regard to a career, finances, and what I had envisioned for myself.
Seeking some hope or to help me focus on greater things, I searched YouTube for videos about Jesus Christ. I found one that depicted His atonement.
As I watched the video, there was a short scene was about the moment when a man was pulled from the crowed and forced to carry Jesus' cross. For some reason, my mind was fixated on that man, whose name is Simon of Cyrene.
As I've read the scriptures I've found that interactions with Christ are not by chance, but rather occur for a reason. There had to be more to the story of Simon of Cyrene than just a short scene.
Over the next few days I sought to learn everything I could about him. Officially we only have three short verses of scripture about him, all referencing the moment he was compelled to carry the cross. Everything else is folklore, tradition, or speculation. Nevertheless, I felt a story demonstrating the hand of God in our lives and how powerful personal experiences with our Savior can be was needed to be told through the life of Simon of Cyrene. I was able to gather enough information about him that a story formed in my mind. I could not sit still until it had been written. Simon is that story.
Seeking some hope or to help me focus on greater things, I searched YouTube for videos about Jesus Christ. I found one that depicted His atonement.
As I watched the video, there was a short scene was about the moment when a man was pulled from the crowed and forced to carry Jesus' cross. For some reason, my mind was fixated on that man, whose name is Simon of Cyrene.
As I've read the scriptures I've found that interactions with Christ are not by chance, but rather occur for a reason. There had to be more to the story of Simon of Cyrene than just a short scene.
Over the next few days I sought to learn everything I could about him. Officially we only have three short verses of scripture about him, all referencing the moment he was compelled to carry the cross. Everything else is folklore, tradition, or speculation. Nevertheless, I felt a story demonstrating the hand of God in our lives and how powerful personal experiences with our Savior can be was needed to be told through the life of Simon of Cyrene. I was able to gather enough information about him that a story formed in my mind. I could not sit still until it had been written. Simon is that story.
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