Ask the Author: Alannah Foley
Answered Questions (5)
Alannah Foley
Goodness knows! Where does anyone get their ideas?
I've tried to think back to where on Earth I got the ideas for my last two fiction books and, quite honestly, I can't work out what triggered the thoughts.
Getting ideas is like a kind of trust you have to have in life, I think. You can sometimes think that you only ever have the ideas noted down in your files... You can think you know what your next project is... But who knows what life will hand you next!?
I've tried to think back to where on Earth I got the ideas for my last two fiction books and, quite honestly, I can't work out what triggered the thoughts.
Getting ideas is like a kind of trust you have to have in life, I think. You can sometimes think that you only ever have the ideas noted down in your files... You can think you know what your next project is... But who knows what life will hand you next!?
Alannah Foley
My brain regularly pumps out ideas without much prompting - there may be snippets of thought about an event I could incorporate into a story, or I may get whole storylines. In making an agreement with myself to write these down, I feel I am keeping the gates of inspiration open for more to come through.
When I'm working on the latter stages of a book, I'm not so much writing as editing, formatting, etc. So when I return to work on another book, I get my inspiration flowing again by pulling out the notes I've made for that book. In doing so, it's as though the energy of inspiration I had when I wrote those notes starts coming through. This usually grows as I start typing the notes up and developing them.
For newbies, what I would say, is that you don't always feel like you're on some 'inspiration high' as a writer, nor should you wait around to feel this. Often you just have to plod on regardless and 'just write'.
When I'm working on the latter stages of a book, I'm not so much writing as editing, formatting, etc. So when I return to work on another book, I get my inspiration flowing again by pulling out the notes I've made for that book. In doing so, it's as though the energy of inspiration I had when I wrote those notes starts coming through. This usually grows as I start typing the notes up and developing them.
For newbies, what I would say, is that you don't always feel like you're on some 'inspiration high' as a writer, nor should you wait around to feel this. Often you just have to plod on regardless and 'just write'.
Alannah Foley
There are so many possible answers to this question - where do I start?
I think the most salient advice I would give is to write the things that really appeal to YOU. Don't try and be someone else. Find your OWN voice. This may not come at first. You may bumble around for a while. But, the more you write, the more clear your path will become.
If your goal is to channel your ideas out into the world, you need to get to grips with the practical aspects such as computer literacy, formatting, social media, etc. Take stock of where you're at - ask some questions, eg What do I need to learn? What stuff am I not good at/don't want to do and therefore need to ask/pay someone else to do?
I think the most salient advice I would give is to write the things that really appeal to YOU. Don't try and be someone else. Find your OWN voice. This may not come at first. You may bumble around for a while. But, the more you write, the more clear your path will become.
If your goal is to channel your ideas out into the world, you need to get to grips with the practical aspects such as computer literacy, formatting, social media, etc. Take stock of where you're at - ask some questions, eg What do I need to learn? What stuff am I not good at/don't want to do and therefore need to ask/pay someone else to do?
Alannah Foley
I can sit at home in my pyjamas all day long if I want to, working on ideas I love. Do that in any other job and you'd probably get fired or locked up!
OK, apart from that? Well, I just love that, with the new ebook revolution, you can publish your own work and write the kinds of things you really want to write. I love this freedom to express yourself fully.
OK, apart from that? Well, I just love that, with the new ebook revolution, you can publish your own work and write the kinds of things you really want to write. I love this freedom to express yourself fully.
Alannah Foley
My philosophy with writing is 'go where things are already flowing'. Why would you dig a well when there's already a spring flowing a few paces away?
In this vein, if I get stuck with a storyline, instead of digging away hard at it, I generally tend to leave things for a while and turn to another part of the book/story where things are already flowing. I usually find that an idea presents itself in the meantime to open up new ground, as it were, and get things flowing again.
I tend to shun 'hardcore trying', keeping the process as loose & enjoyable as possible. I do believe this transmits across to those reading.
In this vein, if I get stuck with a storyline, instead of digging away hard at it, I generally tend to leave things for a while and turn to another part of the book/story where things are already flowing. I usually find that an idea presents itself in the meantime to open up new ground, as it were, and get things flowing again.
I tend to shun 'hardcore trying', keeping the process as loose & enjoyable as possible. I do believe this transmits across to those reading.
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