Ask the Author: Jennifer Schultz
Answered Questions (6)
Jennifer Schultz
Deadly Undertakings, by Gregg Luke
The Tiniest Love, by John A. Riggs
In Dreaming Bound, by J. Kathleen Cheney
My Italian Bulldozer, by Alexander McCall Smith
Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen
The Tiniest Love, by John A. Riggs
In Dreaming Bound, by J. Kathleen Cheney
My Italian Bulldozer, by Alexander McCall Smith
Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen
Jennifer Schultz
Don't let fear stand in your way. Stop worrying about the doubts, the uncertainties, the next steps. Take however much time you have, whether it be five minutes or five hours, and write something. It doesn't have to be wonderful, just write it. Even if it's in the middle of the story, that's okay. As long as you allow yourself to write it down, your creativity will flow even more then next time and the next until you have a tidal wave of creative awesomeness!
Doing the opposite of this will most likely stifle your creativity. I've responded both ways when my creativity spiked and I can tell you from experience that if you don't use it, you'll lose it.
Also, don't give up if things don't take off immediately. So your test readers aren't fans of your draft; that's okay. Shake off the dust, get back on your feet and make changes as needed. Your novel hasn't sold a million copies and it's been out for a year? That's okay. If nothing else, this is good practice for your next one. And yes, there will be a next one. Don't give up! :)
Doing the opposite of this will most likely stifle your creativity. I've responded both ways when my creativity spiked and I can tell you from experience that if you don't use it, you'll lose it.
Also, don't give up if things don't take off immediately. So your test readers aren't fans of your draft; that's okay. Shake off the dust, get back on your feet and make changes as needed. Your novel hasn't sold a million copies and it's been out for a year? That's okay. If nothing else, this is good practice for your next one. And yes, there will be a next one. Don't give up! :)
Jennifer Schultz
I think I'd want to visit Roshar. Between the shards and the stormlight, it's just a really intriguing world with an awesome magic system. Call me crazy, but I also think it'd be cool to see a chasm fiend.
In case you haven't read this series, it's called the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. "The Way of Kings" is the first book in the series.
In case you haven't read this series, it's called the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. "The Way of Kings" is the first book in the series.
Jennifer Schultz
Currently, three projects: a short story for the board game "Galactic Frontiers," book 2 in the Shadow Wars series, and a stand-alone book about Death's thoughts on life. :)
Jennifer Schultz
The best thing about being a writer is the opportunity to create something wonderful and share it with others. Though I see my characters as distinct individuals, they can't share their story alone; they need me to do it for them. I know that may sound crazy, but it's how I feel. :)
Jennifer Schultz
This is a really good question and something that I think is very prolific in the writing world. More often than not, I've found that if I change projects, it'll shake the creative cobwebs loose and I can sweep them away. Often this will happen because I'm not trying to force the answer(s) to come forward; they'll surface when I'm least expecting it. This is probably because my mind is relaxed and I'm more open to receiving it. For this reason, I try to always have a mini notebook and pen handy (purse, car, wherever) so that I can jot down a few notes to keep it fresh in my mind. I hope this was helpful to someone. :)
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