Ask the Author: Claire Farrell
Answered Questions (7)
Claire Farrell
They might be a little too grown up in places, so it's safer to avoid them. Thanks for asking. :)
Claire Farrell
Hi, Isabelle. Thanks for reading. :)
I'm pretty sure there will be a fourth story, but there may be other stories first. I'll know more later in the year, but I've been building up to a "Big Bad" type of story more like the original Ava series, so I want to clear that up first (perhaps with a new Ava series) before returning to the more standalone type stories of Lost Souls. I'll be posting monthly on my blog with updates, so check that out if you're interested.
But I can say that if/when I return to Lost Souls, the stories will be less frequent - no more than one a year - so I can focus on new stories and characters. I'm not ready to give up Ava and her world just yet though. :)
I'm pretty sure there will be a fourth story, but there may be other stories first. I'll know more later in the year, but I've been building up to a "Big Bad" type of story more like the original Ava series, so I want to clear that up first (perhaps with a new Ava series) before returning to the more standalone type stories of Lost Souls. I'll be posting monthly on my blog with updates, so check that out if you're interested.
But I can say that if/when I return to Lost Souls, the stories will be less frequent - no more than one a year - so I can focus on new stories and characters. I'm not ready to give up Ava and her world just yet though. :)
Claire Farrell
Hi. Firstly, don't let anyone else's progress intimidate you - everyone is different. There's nothing at all wrong with that. And when you break it down, I don't have so many novels, plus, I've been publishing for almost six years, so it averages out to a more manageable amount. :) I'm writing full-time, I'm a relatively fast typist, and I write standard length novels that are not overly complicated. And while I can write fast, editing takes a lot longer, so a published book has often been written months if not years before it was actually published, so keep all of those things in mind when you see writers with huge backlists. Nobody has the exact same life as you, so don't waste your time comparing. Just do *your* best.
That aside, my only advice is to write regularly and prioritise writing and reading. If you wanted to learn a language, you'd have to prioritise learning and immerse yourself as much as possible to get the best results, and it's kind of like that with writing. When you understand how other stories work, your own get faster to figure out.
Personally, I find it easier to stay in the flow of a story if I write the entire first draft as quickly as possible. I don't really outline properly, but I have a general idea of what I want from a chapter before I sit down to write it which usually helps. I don't sit staring at a blank screen very often - if I get stuck, I handwrite ideas until I figure out where I'm going.
And I am a lot faster than I was six years ago. I don't write every single day, but it's a good habit to get into, if only to see how well a long streak can further you into a story. If you wrote 1,000 words a day, you'd have at least three full-length novels on your hands at the end of the year, even with days off and editing taking up time. I think anyone who truly wants to write can squeeze that out (even if it means sacrificing something else), and with practice, it's surprising how fast someone can get through 1k words. At my fastest, I've written 3k an hour (after a LOT of practice and the occasional sore wrist), but that's with the perfect circumstances, and nobody has those very often, so don't beat yourself up about it. Writing fast isn't better for everyone, so just experiment and find your own method. It's not a race. I wait a very long time for my favourite authors to come out with another release, and it doesn't put me off. :)
I don't know where you are in terms of words/books written, and it doesn't really matter. If you're prepared to put in the hard work, then you've no reason to worry. The hardest part is often actually sitting in a chair and getting words onto a page, but that gets easier, too.
Also, this book has been recommended to me a few times. I have read it myself. It's about writing faster so might be a lot more useful than my ramblings. :)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
That aside, my only advice is to write regularly and prioritise writing and reading. If you wanted to learn a language, you'd have to prioritise learning and immerse yourself as much as possible to get the best results, and it's kind of like that with writing. When you understand how other stories work, your own get faster to figure out.
Personally, I find it easier to stay in the flow of a story if I write the entire first draft as quickly as possible. I don't really outline properly, but I have a general idea of what I want from a chapter before I sit down to write it which usually helps. I don't sit staring at a blank screen very often - if I get stuck, I handwrite ideas until I figure out where I'm going.
And I am a lot faster than I was six years ago. I don't write every single day, but it's a good habit to get into, if only to see how well a long streak can further you into a story. If you wrote 1,000 words a day, you'd have at least three full-length novels on your hands at the end of the year, even with days off and editing taking up time. I think anyone who truly wants to write can squeeze that out (even if it means sacrificing something else), and with practice, it's surprising how fast someone can get through 1k words. At my fastest, I've written 3k an hour (after a LOT of practice and the occasional sore wrist), but that's with the perfect circumstances, and nobody has those very often, so don't beat yourself up about it. Writing fast isn't better for everyone, so just experiment and find your own method. It's not a race. I wait a very long time for my favourite authors to come out with another release, and it doesn't put me off. :)
I don't know where you are in terms of words/books written, and it doesn't really matter. If you're prepared to put in the hard work, then you've no reason to worry. The hardest part is often actually sitting in a chair and getting words onto a page, but that gets easier, too.
Also, this book has been recommended to me a few times. I have read it myself. It's about writing faster so might be a lot more useful than my ramblings. :)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Claire Farrell
Good luck in school, first of all.
I used to write bits and pieces. I'd wake up in the night with an idea and write until I couldn't keep going. But the first time I actually finished a book was during NaNoWriMo, and that helped me figure out how to sit down and throw all of my spare time into finishing a book. An idea that won't go away is a good sign, and all it takes is sitting down and getting words on the page. It doesn't matter if you start at the beginning or write random scenes, it just takes making the time to get something out. Anyone with an idea can write a book - but you have to make writing a priority or even a regular habit.
If you want to use a book to help you plan a story, I know a lot of people recommend Holly Lisle's Plot Clinic, and I've tried it myself and think it's a useful tool, particularly if you're unsure where the story is going.
Enjoy your holidays. :)
I used to write bits and pieces. I'd wake up in the night with an idea and write until I couldn't keep going. But the first time I actually finished a book was during NaNoWriMo, and that helped me figure out how to sit down and throw all of my spare time into finishing a book. An idea that won't go away is a good sign, and all it takes is sitting down and getting words on the page. It doesn't matter if you start at the beginning or write random scenes, it just takes making the time to get something out. Anyone with an idea can write a book - but you have to make writing a priority or even a regular habit.
If you want to use a book to help you plan a story, I know a lot of people recommend Holly Lisle's Plot Clinic, and I've tried it myself and think it's a useful tool, particularly if you're unsure where the story is going.
Enjoy your holidays. :)
Claire Farrell
I always planned DIAG as a stand-alone.
While writing the book, I did have ideas for a trilogy, but I'm pretty happy with that book in general, and I'm not sure it needs to be a series. I'm concerned it would weaken the first book somehow, but whenever anyone mentions it, I wish I could write about the characters again!
On my Facebook page, I have been discussing using the characters as part of a crossover special, but I haven't decided anything concrete yet.
While writing the book, I did have ideas for a trilogy, but I'm pretty happy with that book in general, and I'm not sure it needs to be a series. I'm concerned it would weaken the first book somehow, but whenever anyone mentions it, I wish I could write about the characters again!
On my Facebook page, I have been discussing using the characters as part of a crossover special, but I haven't decided anything concrete yet.
Claire Farrell
Hi, Gail. The next book is heading to my editor at the end of this month. I can't give an exact date yet, but it will likely be June or July.
Claire Farrell
Hey, Amy. Thanks for reading the Cursed series. :)
I'm working on quite a few things at the moment actually. I'm trying to wrap up a good few books this year, (book 5 in my faery series is my next release) so I can get to work on something brand new that hopefully involves werewolves (because they're my favourite supernatural species).
I'm working on quite a few things at the moment actually. I'm trying to wrap up a good few books this year, (book 5 in my faery series is my next release) so I can get to work on something brand new that hopefully involves werewolves (because they're my favourite supernatural species).
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