Ask the Author: Ethan Nahté
Answered Questions (11)
Ethan Nahté
Sandra could hear her blood pounding harder and faster within her ears, the crescendoing thumps only overcome by her heavy breathing as she opened the door to the room at the end of the hallway. She hesitantly stepped into the darkness, never seeing the crusty, gnarled claw reaching for her from up above, as it clutched her skull and squeezed.
Ethan Nahté
I would go to Neverland. I'd enjoy the great outdoors of oceans, forests, rivers and mountains. Hopefully, I would not age any longer, have little to no responsibilities, and basically be a kid again.
Ethan Nahté
I'm looking forward to Stephen King's new book Gwendy's Button Box and Michael Crichton's Dragon Teeth. I've glanced at the graphic novels for King's The Dark Tower, but I want to read the novel before the movie comes out.
Melissa de la Cruz's book, Rise of the Isle of the Lost looks like it might be a fun read for a YA adventure.
Christopher Tolkien continues J.R.R. Tolkien's work with Beren and Luthien. I'm sure to give that a shot.
Renee Ahdieh's new release, a feudal-Japanese story Flame in the Mist might be interesting.
Jeremy Logan's thriller Full Wolf Moon is another I would like to read. I love wolves and werewolves (when written correctly), so hopefully Logan's new novel will be exciting.
And if I get bored, I have a couple of hundred books or more in my collection that I have not yet read.
Melissa de la Cruz's book, Rise of the Isle of the Lost looks like it might be a fun read for a YA adventure.
Christopher Tolkien continues J.R.R. Tolkien's work with Beren and Luthien. I'm sure to give that a shot.
Renee Ahdieh's new release, a feudal-Japanese story Flame in the Mist might be interesting.
Jeremy Logan's thriller Full Wolf Moon is another I would like to read. I love wolves and werewolves (when written correctly), so hopefully Logan's new novel will be exciting.
And if I get bored, I have a couple of hundred books or more in my collection that I have not yet read.
Ethan Nahté
There are a few supernatural events that have occurred, ranging from poltergeists and spirits to UFOs and Bigfoot. And a handful of plots they have made as I have created a couple of characters to investigate, à la Hardy Boys. Some of the stories in this Middle Grade/YA anthology have already been written. Once I have the collection finished, I will shop it around and see if the Spirit of Luck is on my side.
Ethan Nahté
This answer contains spoilers…
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Ethan Nahté
"Captain Crook-Kitten of the Sea" was inspired by a kitten I found where I work. I rescued the little Furball of Terror. Her looks and actions, plus my love of pirates, inspired the story. She is black and white, with a black patch over one eye, has a little crook at the end of her tail where it was broken, I assume, and she likes to sit on my shoulder like a parrot.
Ethan Nahté
I always have stories popping up. If I'm pressed for time I may write them in my head until I can get them down longhand or on the computer. I have tons of digital and hard copy files of short notes and lengthy outlines for future stories.
Sometimes when I need to write and I can't get in the mood I may put on some music that befits the genre I'm writing and force myself to begin. Once I get past the first couple of paragraphs I get caught up in the process and the next thing I know it's five hours later and several thousand words written.
Sometimes when I need to write and I can't get in the mood I may put on some music that befits the genre I'm writing and force myself to begin. Once I get past the first couple of paragraphs I get caught up in the process and the next thing I know it's five hours later and several thousand words written.
Ethan Nahté
I've just finished revisions on a short story that I need to shop for a home. I have a couple of other short stories in the works; revising one feature-length screenplay and writing second, both animated; two novels are in the works, one a thriller and the other a fantasy piece.
I am also shopping my latest novel, a middle grade/YA story and seeking an agent(s) for the novel and the screenplays.
I am also shopping my latest novel, a middle grade/YA story and seeking an agent(s) for the novel and the screenplays.
Ethan Nahté
Write every day, even if it's a journal or a letter to yourself you set on fire afterwards.
Pay attention to writers you enjoy. Re-read a book you love. Pay attention to plot, structure, pacing, character development, etc.
I hear aspiring writers say they want to write but can't figure out where to start. First of all, don't be so OCD that you have to write linear, beginning with a title. The title can come later. You may have a great idea that actually fits better at the middle or end. Write it then work your way backwards to the beginning, asking who, what, where, when, why. Try not to edit as you write.
Read your work aloud to yourself after the first spellcheck. Something that sounded great in your head may give you reason to pause when you read aloud. Plus, spellcheck will not catch issues with homophones and homonyms.
Find honest beta readers. There is nothing wrong with letting a parent, spouse or friend read your work, but find someone who will be honest and give constructive criticism. Tough skin is needed to work in the entertainment business. If you can't handle constructive criticism then you are in the wrong business. That being said, not everything your critics comment on means you need to change it. If four out of five people make the same complaint, you might want to consider changes.
Pay attention to writers you enjoy. Re-read a book you love. Pay attention to plot, structure, pacing, character development, etc.
I hear aspiring writers say they want to write but can't figure out where to start. First of all, don't be so OCD that you have to write linear, beginning with a title. The title can come later. You may have a great idea that actually fits better at the middle or end. Write it then work your way backwards to the beginning, asking who, what, where, when, why. Try not to edit as you write.
Read your work aloud to yourself after the first spellcheck. Something that sounded great in your head may give you reason to pause when you read aloud. Plus, spellcheck will not catch issues with homophones and homonyms.
Find honest beta readers. There is nothing wrong with letting a parent, spouse or friend read your work, but find someone who will be honest and give constructive criticism. Tough skin is needed to work in the entertainment business. If you can't handle constructive criticism then you are in the wrong business. That being said, not everything your critics comment on means you need to change it. If four out of five people make the same complaint, you might want to consider changes.
Ethan Nahté
It's therapy. I think I would go mad if I couldn't get my ideas out in some manner.
Ethan Nahté
I've really never had what I would consider writer's block. I always have multiple writing, music and video projects going and, unless under a deadline, I work on whatever is inspiring me at the moment.
There are times I will take a walk in nature, maybe take my camera, and think through my story when I'm up in the air about a choice on how to best proceed with the plot or a character.
I also think of my story and play it in my head like a film when I am going to bed. I can continue the story/film in my dream and manage to either wake up and make notes or retain it until I can write the next portion of the story. I use to write the notes but now I use the Voice Recorder Pro app on my phone and just speak my ideas, hopefully coherently enough I can use the recording later if I need.
There are times I will take a walk in nature, maybe take my camera, and think through my story when I'm up in the air about a choice on how to best proceed with the plot or a character.
I also think of my story and play it in my head like a film when I am going to bed. I can continue the story/film in my dream and manage to either wake up and make notes or retain it until I can write the next portion of the story. I use to write the notes but now I use the Voice Recorder Pro app on my phone and just speak my ideas, hopefully coherently enough I can use the recording later if I need.
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