Ask the Author: J.B. Thomas
Answered Questions (7)
J.B. Thomas
There are many strange things that I've seen and heard in my life. One mystery that I can think of would be the two nurses who tended to me when I had my appendix taken out at 16. It was the middle of the night and I'd woken up crying, after a bad dream. They were very kind and seemed to be children's nurses as they wore badges with little animals on them. It was obvious they were from a children's ward and there was something ethereal about them. Yet, in the morning when I woke up and asked the nurse on duty about it, she said that no such nurses could have been around and that there was no children's ward in that hospital.
J.B. Thomas
Levin and Kitty in Anna Karenina. Their relationship is so realistic. They love one another deeply without needing the heady rush of passion that can so easily wane in time (just think of the ill-fated Anna and Vronsky). They have mutual respect, friendship and a very grounded view of the world, gained through hard experience, rather like Colonel Brandon and Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility.
J.B. Thomas
Talking ideas over with my think-tank (hubby and best friend).
Reading and watching other stories as much as possible.
Creating character profiles.
Reading tips online and in books from other authors.
Reading and watching other stories as much as possible.
Creating character profiles.
Reading tips online and in books from other authors.
J.B. Thomas
I am currently working on a YA urban fantasy novel set in Sydney during Hungry Ghost Month. It's called Steel Ghosts.
J.B. Thomas
Write about an idea you love. Don't write because 'you want to become a published author'. One of the best pieces of advice given to me, by a highly respected member of the industry, was that I shouldn't write just to become published, but because I love writing. And I do! Also, don't worry about whether your book will win awards. Certain genres seem to attract awards, and you need to ask yourself - do I want a young adult target audience to like this story? If so, does it matter if the older people who nominate for awards never give it a glance? To me, the answer is no. Just do what you love, and be true to yourself.
J.B. Thomas
The mind space that writing puts me into is the best part of being a writer.The creative process itself - the world building, character building and the excitement of sharing ideas with trusted friends is just great! Publishing, while exciting, is not the best part of writing for me (it comes with its own set of anxieties!).
J.B. Thomas
I push through and follow the advice of Bird by Bird author, Anne Lamott - who tells us not to fear the 'shitty first draft'. Just get something on the page. You can work with it, but you cannot work with a blank page! Secondly, if you're hearing that inner critic that likes to squash your self esteem, block it out. It's irrational and not to be listened to!
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