Ask the Author: Patrick Dent
Answered Questions (5)
Patrick Dent
I sometimes take weeks or months to contemplate elements of major story structure. Ideas float around my subconscious until I have that “Eureka!” moment. As far as the daily grind of churning out words, I rarely get hung up.
I think writer’s block is often caused by feeling the first draft must be the finished product. Just get rough thoughts down on paper. They will later turn out to contain the nuggets you need to craft your story. When you don’t write, you’ll never know how many ideas were lost because they were imperfectly formed at the time.
I think writer’s block is often caused by feeling the first draft must be the finished product. Just get rough thoughts down on paper. They will later turn out to contain the nuggets you need to craft your story. When you don’t write, you’ll never know how many ideas were lost because they were imperfectly formed at the time.
Patrick Dent
Write quickly, with no regard for eloquence. Get the thoughts on paper. Then edit and reedit at least a dozen times. With each edit, remove as many clever adjectives as you can. Write a long draft, then trim much of it away. Let it sit for a while, then read it with a fresh mind and see if the story still has continuity. It has been said many times, "You can't edit what you don't write."
Patrick Dent
Mortal Coil - a techno-thriller about the fantastic and horrific possibilities of genetic engineering.
Patrick Dent
“Execution of Justice” is my first published book. I have always struggled with the source of one’s identity. So many conflicting forces act on a person from within and without. That inspired me to create John Drake, a deeply complex protagonist struggling to discover himself under conditions of extreme distress.
Patrick Dent
I would travel to Larry Niven's Ringworld universe. I would like to meet the Puppeteers, Kzin, and of course, Teela!
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