Ask the Author: Brendan Carroll
Answered Questions (9)
Brendan Carroll
This is a mystery to me although some people will find it unbelievable or just bad luck. Whenever I get around large domestic animals, cattle, horses, pigs and goats, they pick me out of a crowd and chase me... only me. I have also been chased by flocks of chickens (not roosters) and squirrels. I always get this feeling of impending doom right before it happens reminiscent of the electric buzz suffered by the immortals in the Highlander series.
I've been chased across fields by bulls. Across the tidal flats by cows. Across the campus by squirrels. Across the yard by hens.
I am happy to say I've never been chased by wolves, bears, cougars or snakes. I thought perhaps someone might write a novel wherein the villain is constantly being harassed by animals. It could be a horror parody or a comic murder mystery. Something along those lines.
I've been chased across fields by bulls. Across the tidal flats by cows. Across the campus by squirrels. Across the yard by hens.
I am happy to say I've never been chased by wolves, bears, cougars or snakes. I thought perhaps someone might write a novel wherein the villain is constantly being harassed by animals. It could be a horror parody or a comic murder mystery. Something along those lines.
Brendan Carroll
It was a hot, summer's day, so I went to the market to buy some ice cream. The store manager told me there was none due to COVID-19 shortages.
Brendan Carroll
I would travel to my own book series and I would take out all my frustrations and live out all of my wildest fantasies. Completely biased.
Next up I would travel to Game of Thrones and be a benevolent character who doesn't get killed, tortured or ignored. I think I would have to be one of the royal characters' advisors on spiritual matters. And possibly a personal biographer of that character.
Next up I would travel to Game of Thrones and be a benevolent character who doesn't get killed, tortured or ignored. I think I would have to be one of the royal characters' advisors on spiritual matters. And possibly a personal biographer of that character.
Brendan Carroll
I rarely have writer's block. I have writer's frustration instead. Frustration comes when I get completely off topic and have to delete everything I've written in the last few hours. But remember, practice makes paper full of words, I mean, perfect. If you have writer's block, take a break from your current work and tune into the news. The horrible stories there will either inspire you to finish your horror novel or make you suddenly want to write something more uplifting.
For practice, I might take a popular topic and write a short paragraph or short story or an essay on it. Usually, I don't post or share these. They are simple for my own advancement.
For practice, I might take a popular topic and write a short paragraph or short story or an essay on it. Usually, I don't post or share these. They are simple for my own advancement.
Brendan Carroll
Working on your own behalf is always good. You are the only thing holding you back. Of course, you have rules to follow and deadlines and hurdles to jump just like everyone else, but if you develop a good work ethic, you can make it. Think of your writing as a hobby you love and make it love you back. It will pay off working for yourself in the long run because you can write anywhere you can take a laptop, notebook or a pen, pencil and paper.
Brendan Carroll
Advice to aspiring writers:
Grow a thick skin that deflects harsh criticism and internet trolls.
Learn how to spell for God's sake. You'll catch Holy Hell if you misspell something like correlation or irreverence.
Learn your grammar or you're going to face their wrath because they'll never let it go and they're everywhere forevermore.
Always refer to the dictionary and/or thesaurus when in doubt about a word.
Have someone read your work aloud to you.
Keep on keeping on.
Grow a thick skin that deflects harsh criticism and internet trolls.
Learn how to spell for God's sake. You'll catch Holy Hell if you misspell something like correlation or irreverence.
Learn your grammar or you're going to face their wrath because they'll never let it go and they're everywhere forevermore.
Always refer to the dictionary and/or thesaurus when in doubt about a word.
Have someone read your work aloud to you.
Keep on keeping on.
Brendan Carroll
I currently have a few half-baked ideas about writing a western novel a la Zane Grey; however, I haven't really started yet. Just mulling it over in my head. I haven't been able to do much writing due to lack of time in my personal world, which is very frustrating, but I hope to start writing again very soon.
Brendan Carroll
I was inspired to write by my high school English teachers when they started requiring term papers and essays. I realized that I enjoyed writing essays and term papers and quickly learned that my classmates were ready to pay folding money for 'help' with their assignments. My teachers were onto me in no time because I had already developed a style of writing that was apparently very recognizable. I helped a number of my less talented classmates pass and graduate from high school. Unfortunately, I failed my English classes because of it. It was exactly fair. I should have been punished for cheating instead. The grades I received were not representative of what I actually achieved, but cheating never pays off in the long run. At any rate, I learned that writing "could" be lucrative, but cheating brings on bad karma.
Brendan Carroll
About twenty or so years ago, my aging uncle, a Masonic Shriner for many years, passed away. He had an extensive collection of Masonic books and literature which I was privileged to receive. Upon going through the books, I found the information fascinating. I began studying the ancient history of the Order because I am a history buff, of course. One thing led to another and I found myself living in a secluded part of Central Texas, alone, with plenty of time on my hands. At that point, I began to write about Chevalier Ramsay and his extraordinary exploits as a member of an obscure Order of Templar Knights which had survived the ages into modern times. It was a fun topic laced with the paranormal and fantasy worlds, making it easy to write for him. When I finished the first book, I could not let him go. There was too much left to tell of his tale.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more