Ask the Author: Jaden Terrell
Answered Questions (10)
Jaden Terrell
Middle Earth (before the return of Sauron). I'd spend some time in the Shire, then visit Rivendell and Lothlorien, soaking up the wisdom of the elves and hoping for a chance to befriend and learn from Gandalf. (I write crime fiction, but I would not go into a crime fiction world, because there is too much crime there, lol.)
Jaden Terrell
Like so many others, I'm hoping to read George R.R. Martin's WINDS OF WINTER. Fingers crossed! I'd also like to catch up on Robert Crais's Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series, Lee Child's Jack Reacher books, and the rest of Timothy Hallinan's hilarious Junior Bender private detectives series. I have a list of stand-alones as well as some books on writing craft and personal development. So many books, so little time!
Jaden Terrell
I wake up, bleary-eyed, to my father's hand on my shoulder and his urgent whisper in my ear. I've put my hand in his and felt his cold grip tighten on my fingers by the time I realize he's been dead for seven years.
Jaden Terrell
I love Greg and Jill McKenzie, from Chester Campbell's mystery series. They are in their golden years and are not only clever sleuths but refreshingly supportive and respectful of each other. The conflicts come from the danger inherent to their cases, rather than from the bickering some authors rely on. Greg is a true gentleman and Jill a supportive, albeit clever and independent, partner.
Jaden Terrell
I'm assuming you mean, how do I get inspired to write when the words aren't coming freely. When that happens, I step away from the keyboard and get a spiral notebook and a pen. Writing by hand is important, because it makes your brain work in a different way. Then I conjure up my main character (or whoever I'm writing about) beside me and start asking questions: And then what happened? What did that feel like? What did this look like? Usually, that's enough to jump-start me.
Sometimes I just start asking myself "what if" questions. What if x or y happened? What if this instead of that? By writing ABOUT the writing, I take off the pressure to make it perfect and stimulate a bunch of new ideas. Some I'll use, some I won't, but once the words start coming, I'll find myself adding pieces of dialogue or description, and then before I know it, I'm writing the story again.
Sometimes I just start asking myself "what if" questions. What if x or y happened? What if this instead of that? By writing ABOUT the writing, I take off the pressure to make it perfect and stimulate a bunch of new ideas. Some I'll use, some I won't, but once the words start coming, I'll find myself adding pieces of dialogue or description, and then before I know it, I'm writing the story again.
Jaden Terrell
There are so many "best things" it's hard to narrow it down to just one. There's always something new to learn; it's never boring; you get to spend a lot of time with your invisible friends; you can spend your days exploring ideas and issues that are important to you; you don't have to feel guilty about reading for pleasure because that's one way to hone your craft...but I think maybe the best one is that you get to share the stories in your heart and mind with other people, and sometimes those stories touch THEIR minds and hearts too.
Jaden Terrell
It depends on what kind of block I'm facing. Am I just putting it off because it's easier to watch the movies in my mind? In that case, the solution is just to sit down at the computer and write until I break through it. If I keep showing up, my brain will eventually throw up its metaphorical hands and say, "Okay, you want words, here are some words. You want scenes? I'll show you some scenes!"
If I'm really stuck, it probably means I've made a wrong turn somewhere or am heading in the wrong direction. When that happens, I free-write about the problem in a spiral notebook: Why did the villain do this? What is the natural consequence of that? What if this happened? What if that happened instead? What would this or that character do in response? Maybe this, maybe that, maybe....yes! Eventually, I'll find myself writing again.
Sometimes a block means I started too soon and the story needs more time to simmer. And sometimes, for some writers, what we call writer's block is a response to depression or a sign that they need to slow down and do a little self-nurturing to recharge the creative batteries. You have to know what kind of block it is so you know which strategy will get you past it.
If I'm really stuck, it probably means I've made a wrong turn somewhere or am heading in the wrong direction. When that happens, I free-write about the problem in a spiral notebook: Why did the villain do this? What is the natural consequence of that? What if this happened? What if that happened instead? What would this or that character do in response? Maybe this, maybe that, maybe....yes! Eventually, I'll find myself writing again.
Sometimes a block means I started too soon and the story needs more time to simmer. And sometimes, for some writers, what we call writer's block is a response to depression or a sign that they need to slow down and do a little self-nurturing to recharge the creative batteries. You have to know what kind of block it is so you know which strategy will get you past it.
Jaden Terrell
Learn everything you can about your craft, but while you're learning, keep writing. Don't wait for the first paragraph to be perfect before you go on to he next. Keep moving forward. Only allow yourself to edit or revise once you've met your daily goal--whatever it is-- for new words written. For me, it's 1000 words. Once I have at least 1000 new ones, I can cycle back and revise if I want to. Of course, if the words are flowing easily, I just keep moving forward.
Jaden Terrell
I'm currently working on the fourth book in the Jared McKean series, which involves the soring controversy in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.
Jaden Terrell
RIVER OF GLASS was inspired by an article I read on human trafficking, combined with an exercise I did when I was first conceived of the Jared McKean series. I was doing a character interview with Jared and realized that he had half-sisters he didn't know about, the result of a relationship his father had during the Vietnam war. A scene came to me in which the body of a young Asian woman is found in the dumpster behind Jared's office. In her hand is a Vietnam war-era photo of Jared's father, and scrawled on the back is Jared's name and office address. The story grew from there.
For a more detailed description, check out this post on THE BIG THRILL:
http://www.thebigthrill.org/2014/11/r...
For a more detailed description, check out this post on THE BIG THRILL:
http://www.thebigthrill.org/2014/11/r...
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