Ask the Author: Gareth Lewis
Answered Questions (5)
Gareth Lewis
Samuel Vimes and Lady Sybil, from the Discworld series. A mature romance, that doesn't rely on the standard relationship tropes to provide conflict for stories.
Gareth Lewis
I've just finished the first draft of a fantasy novel that'll probably never sell. I haven't got even a working title for it, and have no idea how to make a blurb that sounds remotely interesting. It starts with orcs and goblins kidnapping a princess, and is in some ways more of a western. Sort of a fantasy Wild Bunch.
Also in progress:
• An idea for a short story/novelette that I'm trying to break down to see if it'll work;
• Preparations to finish off the Tales of the Thief-City series of short stories, probably using NaNoWriMo to force me to write them. There are seven move planned, two of them written but not to my satisfaction, and I'd really like to get them done;
• Making notes for the sequel(s) to Grey Enigmas. More closely following it than it followed Grey Engines, keeping the same characters. Grey Engines came from a short story whose ideas kept growing, which kept growing into Grey Enigmas, and shows no signs of slowing down; and
• Having further ideas on the third book in the Glyphpunk series. I have a rough idea of the story, it's simply a matter of finding the time to hammer it into shape (and to see whether the central idea will actually work, since it might change the nature of the story).
Also in progress:
• An idea for a short story/novelette that I'm trying to break down to see if it'll work;
• Preparations to finish off the Tales of the Thief-City series of short stories, probably using NaNoWriMo to force me to write them. There are seven move planned, two of them written but not to my satisfaction, and I'd really like to get them done;
• Making notes for the sequel(s) to Grey Enigmas. More closely following it than it followed Grey Engines, keeping the same characters. Grey Engines came from a short story whose ideas kept growing, which kept growing into Grey Enigmas, and shows no signs of slowing down; and
• Having further ideas on the third book in the Glyphpunk series. I have a rough idea of the story, it's simply a matter of finding the time to hammer it into shape (and to see whether the central idea will actually work, since it might change the nature of the story).
Gareth Lewis
Other than the seemingly compulsory 'write' there's little I can think to offer.
The process of writing can differ so much between writers that while the technical elements may be the same - and William Strunk, Jr.'s The Elements of Style is a good book to ensure you understand the basics - you'll have to find your own way of working. The best way to do so is to write and see what feels right for you.
If what you've written doesn't feel as good as you'd like, then that's okay. It likely won't be, and the fact you can see it isn't means you've an idea what needs changing. Revision is when you shape and hone the work, and where you should spend the most time.
The process of writing can differ so much between writers that while the technical elements may be the same - and William Strunk, Jr.'s The Elements of Style is a good book to ensure you understand the basics - you'll have to find your own way of working. The best way to do so is to write and see what feels right for you.
If what you've written doesn't feel as good as you'd like, then that's okay. It likely won't be, and the fact you can see it isn't means you've an idea what needs changing. Revision is when you shape and hone the work, and where you should spend the most time.
Gareth Lewis
I don't think I've yet had proper writer's block, but when I have stalled during writing (usually during first draft, when I need to keep going) I'll often skim over the events, to be filled in in more detail later.
I usually outline in enough detail that I know should happen next, so skimming can be achieved with little loss of momentum.
When I come to fix it later I try to break the amount of detail down further, keeping in mind what the scene needs to achieve, and what needs to happen.
Often if I'm having trouble writing a scene, there's something more fundamental wrong with it. The problem may be easier to see when the first draft is complete and you have the larger picture in a more concrete form that when you got stuck.
I usually outline in enough detail that I know should happen next, so skimming can be achieved with little loss of momentum.
When I come to fix it later I try to break the amount of detail down further, keeping in mind what the scene needs to achieve, and what needs to happen.
Often if I'm having trouble writing a scene, there's something more fundamental wrong with it. The problem may be easier to see when the first draft is complete and you have the larger picture in a more concrete form that when you got stuck.
Gareth Lewis
Writing. If you don't enjoy it then it'll probably show up in your work.
Revising is probably the most relaxing part, when I don't have the urgency of getting the first draft finished, or the frustrating attention to detail of proofing before its ready to go out. I'm simply sculpting the block left at the end of the first draft, at a casual pace.
Revising is probably the most relaxing part, when I don't have the urgency of getting the first draft finished, or the frustrating attention to detail of proofing before its ready to go out. I'm simply sculpting the block left at the end of the first draft, at a casual pace.
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