Ask the Author: Douglas Bell
Answered Questions (3)
Douglas Bell
I've avoided this question because I have nothing new to add to the conversation. When I think about my answer, the first thing that comes to mind is the online classes about writing that I took on Masterclass.com https://www.masterclass.com/. James Patterson taught a class. Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and Malcolm Gladwell did as well. James said that you may not have done enough research on your character or subject whenever you are stuck. That rang true for me. In my first novel, CAKEWALK, I had to lean on the words of James Baldwin to articulate my experiences as a black person on a deeper level. The lover in my novel is a transgender woman. I often found myself stuck not knowing what was most important to her as a trans woman, so I called my friend Lucy.
I forget which author made this suggestion, but you should edit your earlier work whenever you have writer's block. This could generate ideas you never considered. I often added more profound thoughts or further a specific event because an earlier edit had broken down the block.
I forget which author made this suggestion, but you should edit your earlier work whenever you have writer's block. This could generate ideas you never considered. I often added more profound thoughts or further a specific event because an earlier edit had broken down the block.
Douglas Bell
I've started my second book in addition to promoting the first novel. I decided to continue the story of Bryan and Nadia. I've decided to focus the next book's theme on allyship and advocacy. When no one is watching, what does allyship look like for Bryan? But, is there another side to this coin of representation: being a token. Let's consider this: When you are not of a specific group, when can being with that group be perceived as being a token.
Douglas Bell
Great question. As a young man in the early 90's, I was fortunate enough to befriend several wonderful transgender women. Over the years, I've listened to my friend's stories about their lives: personal, family, intimate relationships, and sex.
I wanted to write a story from a cisgender male's perspective that addresses the possibilities when we meet them (on any level) and we haven't done the work to truly see them.
I wanted to write a story from a cisgender male's perspective that addresses the possibilities when we meet them (on any level) and we haven't done the work to truly see them.
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