Ask the Author: Marc J. Gregson
Answered Questions (12)
Marc J. Gregson
Thank you for making my day! I would love to visit Spain at some point and sign some books. Traveling internationally is quite expensive, but I hope it happens. 😀
Marc J. Gregson
Hi Madelaine! Thank you for being such a big fan and for promoting my books to others. It really means so much! I'm living my dream.
As far as advice, here's a few things that helped me keep going, and also helped me get published.
1. I reminded myself that I am an artist. I was trying to express myself, and this helped me connect more emotionally to my work. With some of my earlier projects, I wrote what I thought other people would love. But once I started writing for myself, the quality of my books elevated.
2. I accepted that writing is hard, and that I shouldn't be hard on myself.
3. I practiced lots of reflection on my books. Each book I wrote, I asked myself, "What could I do better? What are my weaknesses?" I attacked those exact things with my next books. Eventually, my weaknesses evolved into strengths.
4. This industry is incredibly subjective. Just because one person doesn't like your book, it doesn't mean everyone hates it. But if they're all saying the same thing, okay, sure. Maybe you should listen.
I wish you all the best with your writing journey, Madelaine. Keep writing, and I hope you love DOWNFALL as much as I do.
As far as advice, here's a few things that helped me keep going, and also helped me get published.
1. I reminded myself that I am an artist. I was trying to express myself, and this helped me connect more emotionally to my work. With some of my earlier projects, I wrote what I thought other people would love. But once I started writing for myself, the quality of my books elevated.
2. I accepted that writing is hard, and that I shouldn't be hard on myself.
3. I practiced lots of reflection on my books. Each book I wrote, I asked myself, "What could I do better? What are my weaknesses?" I attacked those exact things with my next books. Eventually, my weaknesses evolved into strengths.
4. This industry is incredibly subjective. Just because one person doesn't like your book, it doesn't mean everyone hates it. But if they're all saying the same thing, okay, sure. Maybe you should listen.
I wish you all the best with your writing journey, Madelaine. Keep writing, and I hope you love DOWNFALL as much as I do.
Marc J. Gregson
Conrad will age over a year. 😀
Marc J. Gregson
I would say most of my inspiration comes from outside of the classroom. I'm often too busy in the classroom teaching to think about my books! 😀
Marc J. Gregson
I find them through a variety of ways. Sometimes I'm reading a book, playing a game, watching a movie, and I notice something. Something small that inspires me and I'm excited to explore.
Sometimes, it comes from when I'm listening to music. Or going on nature walks. Putting away technology is always helpful for me.
Sometimes, it comes from when I'm listening to music. Or going on nature walks. Putting away technology is always helpful for me.
Marc J. Gregson
Generally, I give a book 10-15 pages to engage me. If I'm not interested, I usually put the book down and read a different one. I hate waiting for a book to "get good" and I usually want them to be good from the very beginning. 😀
Marc J. Gregson
I'm currently writing another YA SF/F title that I hope to talk more about in 2023.
I'm currently reading Kendare Blake's THREE DARK CROWNS series.
I'm currently reading Kendare Blake's THREE DARK CROWNS series.
Marc J. Gregson
When I get writer's block, it's usually because of something that happened earlier in the book and subconsciously, I know I did something wrong. So I go back and I read. I listen to my reactions, my emotions as I'm reading. And I always trust my instincts. If something feels off, that might be where the block is coming from.
Also, going back helps me find plot threads that maybe I haven't explored enough.
Other times, it's just a matter of forcing myself to write. And I write multiple chapters that could take the story in any number of directions. Then, it's just a matter of picking the one I enjoy most, or going with my gut instinct.
Also, going back helps me find plot threads that maybe I haven't explored enough.
Other times, it's just a matter of forcing myself to write. And I write multiple chapters that could take the story in any number of directions. Then, it's just a matter of picking the one I enjoy most, or going with my gut instinct.
Marc J. Gregson
One of the reasons I love writing so much is I don't feel limited by anything except my imagination. Whatever story I want to tell, I can tell it. I also enjoy being able to express myself, and write really KICK-A stories, too. :)
Marc J. Gregson
Getting published is HARD. Find people who are at a similar stage as you. Become critique partners. Read their work and critique it. Ask yourself why you love it or why you think it needs work.
Write from emotion. Write with all your heart. If you're not invested in your project, the reader won't be either. I always consider that the reader will feel half as excited as you will about whatever is happening on the page as you do, so make it SUPER exciting.
Make sure you can answer the following for your story:
1. Who is/are your main character(s)?
2. What do they want?
3. What stands in the way of what they want?
4. What will happen if they don't get what they want?
If you write a book, and it doesn't get picked up, you're not a failure. You're a writer. All writers get rejected. And it is never a waste of time so long as you keep going. You will learn new tricks with every project. Just set goals with each book and try not to make the same mistakes twice.
Good luck!
Write from emotion. Write with all your heart. If you're not invested in your project, the reader won't be either. I always consider that the reader will feel half as excited as you will about whatever is happening on the page as you do, so make it SUPER exciting.
Make sure you can answer the following for your story:
1. Who is/are your main character(s)?
2. What do they want?
3. What stands in the way of what they want?
4. What will happen if they don't get what they want?
If you write a book, and it doesn't get picked up, you're not a failure. You're a writer. All writers get rejected. And it is never a waste of time so long as you keep going. You will learn new tricks with every project. Just set goals with each book and try not to make the same mistakes twice.
Good luck!
Marc J. Gregson
I write by emotion. So, I often spend a few minutes searching up music that matches the emotion that I'd like to evoke in my writing.
If I'm really struggling, I'll go on nature walks, or try to find a quiet place to daydream.
If I'm really struggling, I'll go on nature walks, or try to find a quiet place to daydream.
Marc J. Gregson
As a child, I'd look up at the clouds and try to envision what a world in the sky would look like. I also found a few video games that had worlds based in the sky and I really wanted to explore that idea.
Furthermore, I really liked the idea of crafting an entire society around a brutal Meritocracy--where there were only winners and losers.
Furthermore, I really liked the idea of crafting an entire society around a brutal Meritocracy--where there were only winners and losers.
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