Ask the Author: Nicola Doherty
Answered Questions (6)
Nicola Doherty
It's funny you should ask that because … I wrote about this recently on my blog. It started as a random idea for a short story, and I got the idea for a series while having tea with my agent. Read more here if you like; http://nicoladohertybooks.com/2014/09...
Nicola Doherty
I don't really - I just sit down and start! Coffee helps. And any little things that catch my eye - problem pages are a good source, I find ...
Nicola Doherty
I'm not sure what it is yet - it's a romance but a slightly different one to the ones I've written before. I'll let you know when I know!
Nicola Doherty
Try and enjoy your writing for the sake of it and give your attention to the craft of writing rather than worrying about being published. If you learned to knit, you wouldn't feel a failure just because you weren't selling your scarves … You'd feel happy that you finished a scarf!
Also, try and remember that being published isn't an automatic lottery ticket for life (quite the reverse). And it doesn't guarantee happiness - otherwise authors would be the happiest people on earth which is clearly not the case. The stakes are continually raised - there's always someone who's got a better review than you, sells more than you, worry about the next contract, etc etc. So I suppose what I'm saying is … Enjoy the journey.
Also, try and remember that being published isn't an automatic lottery ticket for life (quite the reverse). And it doesn't guarantee happiness - otherwise authors would be the happiest people on earth which is clearly not the case. The stakes are continually raised - there's always someone who's got a better review than you, sells more than you, worry about the next contract, etc etc. So I suppose what I'm saying is … Enjoy the journey.
Nicola Doherty
Where do I start? There are so many wonderful privileges - but I think the best thing ever is hearing from a reader that your book brought them pleasure. I will never get tired of that.
Also, if ever anyone is mean or bitchy to you, it's actually great because you can put them in a book.
Also, if ever anyone is mean or bitchy to you, it's actually great because you can put them in a book.
Nicola Doherty
There are two options - push on through, and then if that doesn't work, take a break. Another very helpful thing is to describe your current dilemma to a patient friend … talking about my work can often get me re-enthused and help me find an answer where previously there was just a blinking cursor ...
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