Ask the Author: Frank Bures
Answered Questions (3)
Frank Bures
One of the hardest things about being a writer is trying to manage your own creativity. Part of that is knowing how your mind works. According to some research, creativity involves five recurring phases: preparation, incubation, insight, evaluation, elaboration.
When you have writer's block, it can be for several reasons. Often it's because you're still in the incubation phase, which means you aren't ready to start writing yet, or don’t know what you want to say, or don't know how it's going to work. Other times it's because you're afraid to write, or afraid of failing at what you want to write, or you know it will be hard to do.
Knowing the difference between these is very important. The incubation phase should be respected and given the space it needs (usually by taking your mind off your writing), but in the end there's only one way to find out where you are: Start writing.
Deadlines also help.
When you have writer's block, it can be for several reasons. Often it's because you're still in the incubation phase, which means you aren't ready to start writing yet, or don’t know what you want to say, or don't know how it's going to work. Other times it's because you're afraid to write, or afraid of failing at what you want to write, or you know it will be hard to do.
Knowing the difference between these is very important. The incubation phase should be respected and given the space it needs (usually by taking your mind off your writing), but in the end there's only one way to find out where you are: Start writing.
Deadlines also help.
Frank Bures
Thanks so much, Brittany! That's wonderful to hear. It’s an unusual book, but it follows the only course I could find (winding, like a river) through the questions I have had. I’m glad you stumbled on it.
If you mean books, you’re right, I haven’t written another one yet, though I am working on one. But as a freelance writer I’ve done quite a few stories—travel, science, essays, profiles—over the last twenty years. Most of it you can find on my website (frankbures.com), though there’s a lot there and if you want a couple suggestions I’m happy to send them.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for books similar to the Geography of Madness, that’s tricky. There are lots of books that get into the technical aspects of the science in the book (See Daniel Moerman and Fabrizio Benedetti in particular).
But on the literary side, the closest I can come is recommending the books I’ve loved and where I’ve found some inspiration: Bill Buford’s "Among the Thugs," Peter Hessler’s "Oracle Bones," Jon Ronson’s "Them," Elizabeth Gilbert’s "Last American Man," Michael Perry’s "Population 485," Bruce Chatwin’s "In Patagonia," Susan Orlean’s "The Orchid Thief." There are many more, but those would be a good start if you haven’t read them!
If you mean books, you’re right, I haven’t written another one yet, though I am working on one. But as a freelance writer I’ve done quite a few stories—travel, science, essays, profiles—over the last twenty years. Most of it you can find on my website (frankbures.com), though there’s a lot there and if you want a couple suggestions I’m happy to send them.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for books similar to the Geography of Madness, that’s tricky. There are lots of books that get into the technical aspects of the science in the book (See Daniel Moerman and Fabrizio Benedetti in particular).
But on the literary side, the closest I can come is recommending the books I’ve loved and where I’ve found some inspiration: Bill Buford’s "Among the Thugs," Peter Hessler’s "Oracle Bones," Jon Ronson’s "Them," Elizabeth Gilbert’s "Last American Man," Michael Perry’s "Population 485," Bruce Chatwin’s "In Patagonia," Susan Orlean’s "The Orchid Thief." There are many more, but those would be a good start if you haven’t read them!
Frank Bures
Almost everything I write starts with a question. In this case, there were several, all related, all with roots in the same place: all related to stories we tell and believe. Your “self” is a story that you build out of your memories. Your path through life is the story you believe you can follow. And your culture is the set of stories that you (and those around you) believe are possible or real or true. I wanted to explore this point where our freedom to choose a life intersects with the choices we feel we are given. At a basic level, that’s what this book is about.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more