Ask the Author: Bruce Fergusson
Answered Questions (6)
Bruce Fergusson
In The Six Kingdoms. I go there frequently.
Bruce Fergusson
Some writer--Faulkner?--once said that he only writes when he's inspired--and he's inspired every day.
Does anyone with a 9-5 commuting job get 'inspired' to go to work every day?
Writing is a job--one I Iove--but it's my profession.
Does anyone with a 9-5 commuting job get 'inspired' to go to work every day?
Writing is a job--one I Iove--but it's my profession.
Bruce Fergusson
The 4th book in my Six Kingdoms fantasy series, KRAKEN'S CLAW.
I'm also having some fun working with a cartographer on the map of the Six Kingdoms world, the first of several maps that will be included in the companion volume to the series, The Six Kingdoms CODEX.
As a two-genre novelist I have to multi-task a bit. So I'm also working with an artist on the new cover for a suspense novel, THE PIPER'S SONS, and doing some editing for another suspense novel that will be coming out next year, TWO GRAVES FOR MICHAEL FUREY.
I'm also having some fun working with a cartographer on the map of the Six Kingdoms world, the first of several maps that will be included in the companion volume to the series, The Six Kingdoms CODEX.
As a two-genre novelist I have to multi-task a bit. So I'm also working with an artist on the new cover for a suspense novel, THE PIPER'S SONS, and doing some editing for another suspense novel that will be coming out next year, TWO GRAVES FOR MICHAEL FUREY.
Bruce Fergusson
--Choose a place and time to sit your butt down on a regular basis: the Muse has to know where and when to find you.
--If you're serious about your writing dream you'll organize your life to make it happen. Be leery of a day job that's creative: there's only so much in the creative well. Save it for your writing. But keep in mind, too, that there are more important things in life than telling stories.
--Set goals that can be met if you push yourself a little.
--Don't be satisfied with 'good enough.' Perfection is unattainable and can be an excuse for not finishing something. But excellence is, and you should strive for it. When you think you've given it everything you have, MOVE ON to the next book or story.
--Finish what you start.
--Write the kind of book or story that YOU would like to read, not what you think others might like.
--And if you're lucky and a lot of people read your work, like that author of CHARLOTTE'S WEB, someone will come to interview you, and find you building a stone wall, and ask why you're doing that instead of writing, and you'll tell them: "Because building a stone wall is easier than writing."
--If you're serious about your writing dream you'll organize your life to make it happen. Be leery of a day job that's creative: there's only so much in the creative well. Save it for your writing. But keep in mind, too, that there are more important things in life than telling stories.
--Set goals that can be met if you push yourself a little.
--Don't be satisfied with 'good enough.' Perfection is unattainable and can be an excuse for not finishing something. But excellence is, and you should strive for it. When you think you've given it everything you have, MOVE ON to the next book or story.
--Finish what you start.
--Write the kind of book or story that YOU would like to read, not what you think others might like.
--And if you're lucky and a lot of people read your work, like that author of CHARLOTTE'S WEB, someone will come to interview you, and find you building a stone wall, and ask why you're doing that instead of writing, and you'll tell them: "Because building a stone wall is easier than writing."
Bruce Fergusson
When you're in the "zone" and forget you're the one pulling the authorial strings. Call it a zone, trance or focus; whatever. The writing is effortless in the zone because while you're in it your imaginary world IS real; the characters NOT characters but real people. Being in the zone doesn't happen as often as I'd like, but when it does, it's a kick.
Bruce Fergusson
Seeking perfection is probably one of the biggest culprits for writer's block. If you listen...closely, you can hear the blank page or screen whispering: "Come on, hot shot...let's see what you have."
I ignore it, and don't waste my time striving for perfection because it's impossible to achieve. I just do the best I can, and DO listen when another voice tells me: "Naah, that's not good enough." Or: "Something's missing here." Or: "Hmmm, this isn't working."
That pause to listen is as close as I get to writer's block. And you have to make a deal with yourself to figure out what's bugging you, solve the problem and move on.
I ignore it, and don't waste my time striving for perfection because it's impossible to achieve. I just do the best I can, and DO listen when another voice tells me: "Naah, that's not good enough." Or: "Something's missing here." Or: "Hmmm, this isn't working."
That pause to listen is as close as I get to writer's block. And you have to make a deal with yourself to figure out what's bugging you, solve the problem and move on.
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