Ask the Author: Laura Vogt
Answered Questions (4)
Laura Vogt
I remember the first moment when I glimpsed Minnie, the main character of IN THE GREAT QUIET. I had a visceral, almost tangible image of woman & a moment in time. I glimpsed her desire, her fear, her personality.
I was drafting another novel, and so, I set her aside for a few years. But when I came back, she had not dimmed. She came boldly, ferociously to life. If you read IN THE GREAT QUIET, you'll see: She's quite a force.
I was drafting another novel, and so, I set her aside for a few years. But when I came back, she had not dimmed. She came boldly, ferociously to life. If you read IN THE GREAT QUIET, you'll see: She's quite a force.
Laura Vogt
I don't believe in writer's block.
Sometimes you need to take a break. Go for a walk, take a shower, spend time with your friends & family.
And sometimes, you just need to sit down and work. Much of the time I'm not "inspired." Sitting down to start is truly the hardest part.
I believe writer's block is rooted in fear. Or this idea that you have to write this perfect scene right now. But novels are written in layers. Just get whatever you can down--you can edit, refine, and layer later.
Sometimes you need to take a break. Go for a walk, take a shower, spend time with your friends & family.
And sometimes, you just need to sit down and work. Much of the time I'm not "inspired." Sitting down to start is truly the hardest part.
I believe writer's block is rooted in fear. Or this idea that you have to write this perfect scene right now. But novels are written in layers. Just get whatever you can down--you can edit, refine, and layer later.
Laura Vogt
I’m drafting my next historical novel, which takes places in nineteenth century Ireland. The story follows a resilient, curious botanist in a world that’s dangerous, moody, and romantic.
As with all of my work, I’m exploring what life was like for an everyday woman, long ago. The novel takes place both in the environment of first-generation female academics and the lush, undiscovered landscapes of Ireland. It’s loosely entangled with my ancestors, who were boat builders along the Irish coast. There’s an evocative sense of place, a dash of wilderness survival, and a deep friendship between two women. And of course, plenty of romance.
As with all of my work, I’m exploring what life was like for an everyday woman, long ago. The novel takes place both in the environment of first-generation female academics and the lush, undiscovered landscapes of Ireland. It’s loosely entangled with my ancestors, who were boat builders along the Irish coast. There’s an evocative sense of place, a dash of wilderness survival, and a deep friendship between two women. And of course, plenty of romance.
Laura Vogt
To make peace and find joy in the waiting.
Publishing is not a fast industry. First, it’s brutal and arduous to break into. Keep going, friend. It’s worth the wait. Then, there’s a lot of pause and wait—and wait some more.
Drafting a story can be done in as little as a month but preparing a novel for readers takes months or years if not decades. Sometimes what you need is just time.
My first novel, which I spent a decade on, did not sell. It was devastating. But now, six years later with my debut, I am genuinely thrilled that I waited. In the Great Quiet is a stronger debut, and I’m very proud of my work. All that time waiting wasn’t wasted. It was time learning craft, learning how I like to write a sentence, how I like to tell a story.
Trust your own timeline.
Don’t compare your writer’s journey with anyone else. Look back at your own page
Publishing is not a fast industry. First, it’s brutal and arduous to break into. Keep going, friend. It’s worth the wait. Then, there’s a lot of pause and wait—and wait some more.
Drafting a story can be done in as little as a month but preparing a novel for readers takes months or years if not decades. Sometimes what you need is just time.
My first novel, which I spent a decade on, did not sell. It was devastating. But now, six years later with my debut, I am genuinely thrilled that I waited. In the Great Quiet is a stronger debut, and I’m very proud of my work. All that time waiting wasn’t wasted. It was time learning craft, learning how I like to write a sentence, how I like to tell a story.
Trust your own timeline.
Don’t compare your writer’s journey with anyone else. Look back at your own page
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