Ask the Author: Kate Shanahan
Answered Questions (3)
Kate Shanahan
Ever since I read The Pillow Book (many, many years ago) I wanted to write a novel with the author, Sei Shonagon, as a main character because I was so fascinated by her writing, at how well she wrote about those little things that we all feel as humans (anger, embarrassment, awkwardness, joy) in spite of differences in language, culture, and era.
Kate Shanahan
Usually from my research. I'll find some interesting historical fact or story that triggers my imagination. For example, when I did research on shamanism in ancient Japan, I discovered that deer bones were used for divination early on, but then turtle shells became more widely used. I thought that was so interesting that I worked it into my story as a minor detail.
Kate Shanahan
I discovered 'free-writing' last year, a writing and creativity exercise in which I set a timer for 10 (or 15 or 20) minutes and write without editing or even really thinking about it until the timer goes off. That was key to overcoming my severe inner critic, which was the main obstacle to writing for me. Once I started that, I found I could write for longer and longer sprints. Of course, once I have a few pages written, I have extensive editing and re-writing to do, but it's worth it.
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