Ask the Author: Sven Michael Davison
Answered Questions (6)
Sven Michael Davison
For "7 in 7" I wanted to address the trope of "live to work and work to live." I have struggled with this idea my entire life. Supporting my writing has been a tough road for many years. Trying to find unity between my drive to succeed and experiencing life has been a soul-twisting conundrum. In the end, I had to reject the conventional definition of success. Most define success in monetary terms, popularity, or both. I no longer agree with this idea of success. I wrote "7 in 7" to show how I came to this conclusion and entertain the reader along the way. I also wrote it as a love letter to my wife.
For my upcoming contemporary fantasy trilogy, I drew upon my internal struggles to define talent in the context of an artist— a writer in my case. Since art is subjective, one cannot define success in monetary terms. But if that is the case, how does one define it? More to come on this one, when I release my next series.
For my upcoming contemporary fantasy trilogy, I drew upon my internal struggles to define talent in the context of an artist— a writer in my case. Since art is subjective, one cannot define success in monetary terms. But if that is the case, how does one define it? More to come on this one, when I release my next series.
Sven Michael Davison
Life inspires me to write. This sounds a bit glib, but it's true. I may read an article, a book, or graffiti on a wall and find inspiration for a story. Sometimes it's a life event, or a piece on NPR. I keep myself open to anything and everything that comes my way. I make no rules other than to accept any spark that crosses my path.
Sven Michael Davison
I've spent the past four years writing a new trilogy. The first book finished and other two have undergone many drafts. I'm not sure when I'll release one, two, or all of them. The hardest part of writing is marketing and publicity. I've launched enough books to know that marketing a book never stops, and timing is every thing. You also have to spend a great deal of time nurturing your platform.
Sven Michael Davison
Ask yourself why you want to write. If the answer is "because I love it," then you should write every single day. Give yourself permission to write garbage. Give yourself permission to enjoy the act of writing, even if it is garbage. Don't write because you have fantasies of striking it rich through your craft. Only a tiny minority make a living at this. Day jobs to support your habit are the norm.
Sven Michael Davison
I feel lost in the moment when I write. There is a zen quality to it, and no other physical or mental engagement gives me an equal feeling. A fringe benefit to writing is that I am able to play the deity. I'm the master of the universe I create. It feels good to be in control since life rarely moves in the direction I try to steer it.
Sven Michael Davison
I tell myself that the first, second, and even third draft of my work is going to be garbage anyway, so don't sweat it. It's better to put something down than nothing at all. The approach has worked for me so far. I've never experienced writer's block.
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