Ask the Author: Hannah Sternberg
Answered Questions (6)
Hannah Sternberg
I don't believe in writer's block. As long as your hands aren't tied behind your back, you can write something. The first step to overcoming writer's block is to stop believing it exists -- stop giving it power over you, as if it's a natural disaster that just happens to you. Once you stop believing in writer's block, you realize that maybe today's not the day you'll sit down and pen the next great American novel, but every day is a day you can write SOMETHING, and most of the time that's all you need to do anyway.
Hannah Sternberg
That's like asking a fish what's the best thing about being in water. I don't know -- it's just what I do, what I have to do, what I always wanted to do, what I will continue to do for as long as I can keep doing it. That's the best part of it.
Hannah Sternberg
Write, write, write. It isn't any more complicated than that. Just establish the habit of writing. It's a very pragmatic thing. People put the cart before the horse by talking about how to refine their prose or find their inspiration, before they even establish a daily writing habit. Inspiration is all around you all the time -- you see that when you get into the habit of writing daily. But to get there, you just have to sit down and write -- ANYTHING! -- every day until it's a habit. For more writing tips, check out my website, where I'll be posting video from some of my Washington, DC writing workshops.
Hannah Sternberg
I'm working on a gender-bendy, full moon scary, howlingly fast-paced werewolf story right now. It's definitely not your average werewolf tale, and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm currently revising the first book in what I imagine will be a three-book series; as I go along, I've been starting scenes and building the outline for book two. I'll share more as it comes closer to completion!
Hannah Sternberg
I get a lot of inspiration from music -- especially the music of Andrew Bird, though there are many other artists that hit me right in the heart. I also often dream up new stories while taking long, aimless walks. Sometimes just a phrase, or a quirk in someone I see, will plant the seed of a story idea that will grow, perhaps years later, into a complete novel.
Hannah Sternberg
I got the idea for my most recently released book, Bulfinch, when I was taking a medieval history class during my year of study abroad in London. I was a pretty bad student for the first half of the class -- I almost got kicked out for skipping too much! -- but as soon as I started paying attention, I was a goner. I read the story of Abelard and Heloise and it brought that era to life like nothing else had. Then I started reading more, and really fell in love with the Middle Ages. That's when I got the idea to write a story about a medieval knight who appears in modern times.
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