Ask the Author: David P. Staggs
Answered Questions (8)
David P. Staggs
The man awoke from a deep slumber and stumbled to the kitchen for a late night sandwich. He reached for the refrigerator but met only air -- the fridge was gone.
David P. Staggs
Truthfully, the journey I get to take with the characters while writing. Followed closely by the satisfaction of finishing a project.
David P. Staggs
I try to force myself to write through it. I've heard many writers talk about how getting something on the page is the most important thing. You can always go back and edit -- so that's what try to do. Even on the days where I don't want to write or don't think I'm writing anything quality, I try to write. I can always edit it or take it out later, but just the process of getting things down on the page helps remove the block.
David P. Staggs
Create a schedule. Carve out time weekly or daily that you're going to write. I heard Brandon Sanderson and Stephen King both talk about how they write every day and while I don't write every day (I take two days off a week), I think it is important to keep a schedule. Even if you're not writing a lot each time you write, writing consistently will build up your stamina.
I also follow another piece of Brandon Sanderson advice about doing something else before I start writing. I tend to write at night during the week because I have a day job and before I write I try to do something like the dishes or cleaning something. Something that requires me to be present physically but allows my brain to focus on what I'm about to write. I find that I write better then because I've thought about what I want to write that day.
I also follow another piece of Brandon Sanderson advice about doing something else before I start writing. I tend to write at night during the week because I have a day job and before I write I try to do something like the dishes or cleaning something. Something that requires me to be present physically but allows my brain to focus on what I'm about to write. I find that I write better then because I've thought about what I want to write that day.
David P. Staggs
I'm working on the third book in the James McShea series as well as some short stories and then a project that will never see the light of day but is a fun writing exercise project.
David P. Staggs
I think a lot about writing and about stories. I look for inspiration in the world around me. A lot of my inspiration comes from scenery when I'm driving.
David P. Staggs
I plan on reading the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson in the coming year, as well as reading all of the books published by Cowboy Jamboree.
David P. Staggs
What a great question. I'm tempted to say the world of Harry Potter. The Wizarding World played such an important part of my youth -- I discovered it when I was Harry's age and I went through the series with him. To exist in that world would be wonderful.
I'd also love to live in Absaroka County as featured in the Walt Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson. I wouldn't do anything fancy in the world, I'd just be a schoolteacher or something simple but Absaroka seems like a beautiful place to live.
I'd also love to live in Absaroka County as featured in the Walt Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson. I wouldn't do anything fancy in the world, I'd just be a schoolteacher or something simple but Absaroka seems like a beautiful place to live.
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