Ask the Author: Joe Gallagher
Answered Questions (6)
Joe Gallagher
You have to just plow through. Give yourself a few days off and then just start writing something. Even if it is stupid. The protagonist goes to the refrigerator to get a glass of orange juice, then sits on the couch ... If you stay immersed in your universe, you usually can regrab the thread you lost.
Joe Gallagher
To know that no matter what happens to me that I will have something out there in the universe that will live beyond me. Very similar to having a child.
Joe Gallagher
Think of a concept that really interests you. If you are not in love with your concept, it will be hard to keep you motivated for the writing and of course UGH ... all the editing afterwards.
Joe Gallagher
I am currently working on a story about a priest who finds out that the Vatican has been keeping a list of priests that are accused of pedophilia. The priest decides he can't handle it anymore and goes back to the US and gets together with some old friends to handle things. The protagonist is the detective who gets put on a case which was started by the priest's actions and then pressured to stop looking into it.
Joe Gallagher
It usually starts with a concept. I.E. what if an asteroid was coming to destroy the earth? This one has been played out 100 times, so this is not one that I would use but this would be the kernel that would create the core for my story if I was to write it. I would then think of who I would want as a protagonist and then my constant struggle would be to fight to keep the story as realistic as possible while still telling a compelling tale.
Joe Gallagher
When I was child, I grew up in sort of a rough community, there were a few nice kids there that I would spend time with to keep me out of trouble. One particular kid there was very interesting. He was 2 years older than me when I met him and he already knew he wanted to be a deacon and get a doctorate in theology. He was 7 at the time. I was 5. Anyway, we would get into different theological discussions and the premise of this book was a discussion that stumped him.
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