Ask the Author: Rick Tabor
Answered Questions (9)
Rick Tabor
Inspiration comes from all around me - people, places, current events, science, politics, religion, nature - they all inspire me to write about "What if . . ." I am also inspired by reading the works of other authors, so I always have both an audible book and a textual book going (usually different books) at the same time. The bottom line is that if you can create a question that begins with "What if" that contains tons of interesting possibilities, then you probably have a great book in the answers that follow.
Rick Tabor
Hi Rayna,
This is a very easy question. It's the Bible - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. The author also happens to be an awesome friend and the book has my favorite quote - "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Far below this read, is my 2nd favorite read - Dune by Frank Herbert.
Thanks for the question and best wishes,
Rick
This is a very easy question. It's the Bible - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. The author also happens to be an awesome friend and the book has my favorite quote - "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Far below this read, is my 2nd favorite read - Dune by Frank Herbert.
Thanks for the question and best wishes,
Rick
Rick Tabor
Hi Aegelis,
I was hard wired with creativity, and many would say almost too much so. It came with my DNA, and I'm not sure who I inherited it from, as neither my mom nor dad were particularly creative.
That being said, creativity alone requires disciplined writing skills to communicate a creative concept. As it turns out, writing the "teachings" of patents, scientific papers, business concept documents and research and development reports, require a great deal of logical, disciplined writing skills. Over the years, and with the help of many helpful but ruthlessly detailed scientist-reviewers, lawyer-reviewers and mentors, I acquired these writing skills. Think of a red hot ingot of steel being beaten into shape by a blacksmith. That was me.
The other very important skill that my technical background "forged" into me was a careful attention to getting all of the facts straight and providing citations to prove that my facts were indeed accurate. When Children of the Scroll was first introduced to a group of beta readers, some of the readers suggested that I provide citations to some of the key research that I had done. As a scientist, I though that this was a reasonable idea, and did so. However, I received feedback (not the least of which was from Kirkus Reviews) that these citations were distracting. I have since removed them and future prints of the book will not have them. The good news is that people generally seemed impressed with my ability to interweave my research into Jewish legend with a fictional plot to form a believable story.
Thus, in this latter case (my ability to conduct research) my readers have "forged" a new skill into my fictional writing - leave out the citations!
I hope that this answers your question, Aegelis, and I wish you success in your own writing journey!
Thanks and best,
Rick
I was hard wired with creativity, and many would say almost too much so. It came with my DNA, and I'm not sure who I inherited it from, as neither my mom nor dad were particularly creative.
That being said, creativity alone requires disciplined writing skills to communicate a creative concept. As it turns out, writing the "teachings" of patents, scientific papers, business concept documents and research and development reports, require a great deal of logical, disciplined writing skills. Over the years, and with the help of many helpful but ruthlessly detailed scientist-reviewers, lawyer-reviewers and mentors, I acquired these writing skills. Think of a red hot ingot of steel being beaten into shape by a blacksmith. That was me.
The other very important skill that my technical background "forged" into me was a careful attention to getting all of the facts straight and providing citations to prove that my facts were indeed accurate. When Children of the Scroll was first introduced to a group of beta readers, some of the readers suggested that I provide citations to some of the key research that I had done. As a scientist, I though that this was a reasonable idea, and did so. However, I received feedback (not the least of which was from Kirkus Reviews) that these citations were distracting. I have since removed them and future prints of the book will not have them. The good news is that people generally seemed impressed with my ability to interweave my research into Jewish legend with a fictional plot to form a believable story.
Thus, in this latter case (my ability to conduct research) my readers have "forged" a new skill into my fictional writing - leave out the citations!
I hope that this answers your question, Aegelis, and I wish you success in your own writing journey!
Thanks and best,
Rick
Rick Tabor
I use several approaches -
* First, my mantra from start to finish is "Keep the plot simple and straightforward." This doesn't imply that you should avoid clever plot twists, but the plot needs to be straightforward enough that you avoid having it become so entangled that you find yourself blocked for solutions that allow you to move forward.
* Second, I listen carefully to Stephen King - create rich characters who react to situations according to their built-in nature. This is related to the above, because you as an author are responsible for keeping the actions of the characters believable.
* Finally, if there is the need for creativity, I drink a small glass of orange juice (glucose for the brain) and start a self-run brainstorming session, sometimes accompanied by walking and talking to myself. For me, this is the best way to create a list of exciting options for breaking the block.
Happy writing and best wishes,
Rick Tabor
* First, my mantra from start to finish is "Keep the plot simple and straightforward." This doesn't imply that you should avoid clever plot twists, but the plot needs to be straightforward enough that you avoid having it become so entangled that you find yourself blocked for solutions that allow you to move forward.
* Second, I listen carefully to Stephen King - create rich characters who react to situations according to their built-in nature. This is related to the above, because you as an author are responsible for keeping the actions of the characters believable.
* Finally, if there is the need for creativity, I drink a small glass of orange juice (glucose for the brain) and start a self-run brainstorming session, sometimes accompanied by walking and talking to myself. For me, this is the best way to create a list of exciting options for breaking the block.
Happy writing and best wishes,
Rick Tabor
Rick Tabor
Hey Ralph, When I look at my profile, I can't see a follow button, presumably because I'm not allowed to follow myself. However, when I look at an author I'm not following, I see the follow button that you are talking about. Also, when I look at your profile, the button says "following" with a drop down menu. Happy writing, Rick
Rick Tabor
Well naturally, I am recommending my own recently released book - Children of the Scroll.
An ancient magic is found in the modern world. No one is ready for it.
An ancient magic is found in the modern world. No one is ready for it.
Rick Tabor
I'm still working on the goal of reading every book that Stephen King has ever written, and I've recently discovered that I should be reading Douglas Preston and James Rollins.
Rick Tabor
Hi Lee Na,
Thanks for the question!
Obviously, writing fiction is quite different from writing patents and/or chapters in polymer science books. However, developing solutions for technical problems and creative writing both require creativity at their core. Every supervisor that I ever had provided the feedback that I was "the most creative person they have ever met" or "you are definitely a creative problem solver". This creative core combined with attention to detail and years of learning how to get my facts straight, together yield a story that is technically accurate while at the same time bringing twists and turns that are believable.
Best regards,
Rick Tabor
Thanks for the question!
Obviously, writing fiction is quite different from writing patents and/or chapters in polymer science books. However, developing solutions for technical problems and creative writing both require creativity at their core. Every supervisor that I ever had provided the feedback that I was "the most creative person they have ever met" or "you are definitely a creative problem solver". This creative core combined with attention to detail and years of learning how to get my facts straight, together yield a story that is technically accurate while at the same time bringing twists and turns that are believable.
Best regards,
Rick Tabor
Rick Tabor
As Ryan ran across the road and across the culvert, in a desperate effort not to be late for dinner, a dark form rose before him - an old woman made of mud. His momentum carried him directly into the folds of her long "jacket", where she closed it around him, dropped back into the culvert and began digesting her meal.
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