Ask the Author: Alexander Clement
Answered Questions (6)
Alexander Clement
Part of the idea had been forming for a few years. I decided that I wanted to write about my own childhood imaginary friend, Omily Topatus, but that was as far as I got. Independently of that I was hurling ideas around for something a bit madcap for children, trying to free myself from constraints of structure, plausibility and disbelief. I wanted magic, strange characters, outlandish set pieces and plenty of fun. The two strands seemed to dovetail and the idea just formed by itself.
Alexander Clement
Inspiration comes from all sorts of places and most often arrives unbidden and unexpectedly. That's why you have to have a paper and pen handy. It could be a childhood memory, a photograph, a news story, a snatch of dialogue, an off-hand remark, an overheard conversation or even sometimes just one word can spark off a whole network of ideas. That is what is so amazing about inspiration. I love it.
Alexander Clement
At present I am writing the second Omily Topatus book, The Cakes of Wrath. We get to see a bit more of the characters and introduce a few new ones. We also see inside the Goblin Realm and find out what goes on down there. I don't think it will look anything like you would imagine of a subterranean world - won't say too much about that, though. I am also working on a bit of a treasure hunt to go with the books. Readers will be able to follow clues, solve a riddle and have the chance of winning a pretty amazing prize. Keep an eye on my blog and web site for details.
Alexander Clement
I've been asked this a few times before. There's so much to say it's difficult to boil it down into easy steps. The critical thing is to not give up. Keep believing in yourself and your work. Don't let detractors and haters put you off and never, ever let rejections from publishers and agents worry you. Carry on regardless, it will happen. Most authors advise writing about things you know and I agree with this. I would add, though, that if you want to write about a subject you have little or no knowledge of, hit the books and do plenty of research. Become an expert and it will inform your writing. Plan first before launching into a novel, try to resist the temptation to write without doing a bit of preparation. But don't plan too minutely or you'll lose the spark. Leave enough open to chance and let the story and characters surprise you a little.
Alexander Clement
For me writing is a compulsion. It is something I just have to do and it is terrific to be able to do it. I can't think of anything worse than being creative without an outlet. That must be terribly frustrating. I know what my outlet is and I revel in it. The best thing, though, is being able to give life to a story and a set of characters, seeing it through to the end.
Alexander Clement
Fortunately it's a rare occurrence. When it strikes, though, I try not to fight it. Don't panic, let it happen and ride it out. The best antidote when inspiration flies away is to read and keep reading. Allow yourself to think and absorb and process. Keep a notebook handy always because when the creative juices start to flow again, they sometimes do so with a vengeance.
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