Ask the Author: Cameron Sidhe
Answered Questions (6)
Cameron Sidhe
"Pride Before a Fall" was inspired by watching a YouTube channel that dissects terrible horse training habits. One trainer was kicked in the chest, and it immediately struck me that this was exactly what I needed to do in my second book.
The third book, "Funeral of Hopes," is the one I am currently working on, and it was inspired by personal experiences that I transmuted into the plot. It's a book very dear to my heart that has helped me heal from my own traumas; I hope it will provide the same catharsis to readers.
The third book, "Funeral of Hopes," is the one I am currently working on, and it was inspired by personal experiences that I transmuted into the plot. It's a book very dear to my heart that has helped me heal from my own traumas; I hope it will provide the same catharsis to readers.
Cameron Sidhe
I like to read short stories before I get to work. Not only does this help with brevity, but it also helps me see how great authors can pack so much into only a few thousand words.
Music is also a great inspiration for me. I am almost always listening to something while I write, and when a certain song comes on, it can greatly boost my workflow. When I find the right song, I'll put it on repeat until I finish that scene so I don't lose the mood. Some scenes are so inextricably tied to certain songs that when I hear them, I immediately think back to that scene!
Lastly, reading nonfiction often gives me a lot of great ideas. There's a scene in the seventh book that was entirely inspired by reading "In the Heart of the Sea;" I got so excited about nautical tragedies that I simply had to include a boat scene. I find that nonfiction is great for idea generation while fiction is good for improving my craft.
Music is also a great inspiration for me. I am almost always listening to something while I write, and when a certain song comes on, it can greatly boost my workflow. When I find the right song, I'll put it on repeat until I finish that scene so I don't lose the mood. Some scenes are so inextricably tied to certain songs that when I hear them, I immediately think back to that scene!
Lastly, reading nonfiction often gives me a lot of great ideas. There's a scene in the seventh book that was entirely inspired by reading "In the Heart of the Sea;" I got so excited about nautical tragedies that I simply had to include a boat scene. I find that nonfiction is great for idea generation while fiction is good for improving my craft.
Cameron Sidhe
To start, I sit with it and figure out where it's coming from. Am I stressed about something else? Am I not under the weather? Have I been working too hard? I tend to work myself into the ground, so this last one is the most common cause.
I then make an action plan for how to deal with my real-life problems first, because I believe I can't do my best writing if I'm not feeling my best.
Once I've addressed any issues that might be causing my writer's block, I get back to work. I tell myself I only have to write 200 words, and then I can stop. Most of the time, giving myself this freedom makes it easier to keep going.
Writer's block can't be brute-forced out of existence, and it will happen to everyone at some point or another. Be gentle with yourself. Remember you're a human being with physical, social, and emotional needs. Your well-being as a person always comes before the writing.
I then make an action plan for how to deal with my real-life problems first, because I believe I can't do my best writing if I'm not feeling my best.
Once I've addressed any issues that might be causing my writer's block, I get back to work. I tell myself I only have to write 200 words, and then I can stop. Most of the time, giving myself this freedom makes it easier to keep going.
Writer's block can't be brute-forced out of existence, and it will happen to everyone at some point or another. Be gentle with yourself. Remember you're a human being with physical, social, and emotional needs. Your well-being as a person always comes before the writing.
Cameron Sidhe
The only way to improve as a writer is to read and write. I ascribe to the million-word rule: that you should write 1 million practice words before ever attempting to write a book. I wrote about 1.6 million before I began the Eirenic Verses. Fanfic is an excellent way to learn how to write because you're not tempted to try publishing before you've gotten your practice in.
There's no magic course or process that can teach you how to become a great writer. Formal training and wide reading help, but they need to be applied. So, keep writing and keep track of how much you've done. Read and analyze why you liked a certain book over another one. Don't rush the process, and don't grow discouraged by how much you still have to do. Keep going!
There's no magic course or process that can teach you how to become a great writer. Formal training and wide reading help, but they need to be applied. So, keep writing and keep track of how much you've done. Read and analyze why you liked a certain book over another one. Don't rush the process, and don't grow discouraged by how much you still have to do. Keep going!
Cameron Sidhe
I love being able to share my work with the world and give other people a few moments of happiness!
Cameron Sidhe
I'm currently working on the second book in The Eirenic Verses series, named "Pride Before a Fall." The blurb is as follows:
"Orrinir Relickim's horse, Bannain, was a wedding present from his husband, Uileac Korviridi. The intemperate animal nearly ends his marriage, too. One swift kick to the ribs turns into a journey through magical medicine and the human heart as Orrinir comes to better understand the man he swore to love."
"Orrinir Relickim's horse, Bannain, was a wedding present from his husband, Uileac Korviridi. The intemperate animal nearly ends his marriage, too. One swift kick to the ribs turns into a journey through magical medicine and the human heart as Orrinir comes to better understand the man he swore to love."
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more