Ask the Author: Kimberly Sue Iverson
Answered Questions (6)
Kimberly Sue Iverson
This one is making me think. Maybe I'm thinking too much on it. If it's more like what inspires me to write in general, I just enjoy writing so don't need inspiration - if I have an idea (I always do) then I write it. It's my work that I love so don't really need inspiration to do it other than knowing someone out there will enjoy the story, and that's enough for me. If it's how I get the creative juices flowing every day to start writing, then I have a ritual that sparks the brain into active mode. Every morning I do the same things. I work out, then I write. I usually get the laptop out, get it started while I change into my daily clothes, and then fill my water glass. By the time I sit down and put the laptop on my lap, that ritual has told my brain that it's time to write.
Kimberly Sue Iverson
The absolute latest I've been writing is the final writing assignment for my Creative Writing Course I enrolled in one year ago. Then I will get back to writing novels. This is the final assignment of a short story 10 pages or less. No specific word count, they want to see what I've learned, and what I can do with setting, plot, detail, bringing the story and characters to life. I'm thinking of sharing it on my blog. If so, I'll title it "Final Writing Exam."
The idea came from a couple items in my head. Specifically from the Holly Lisle - How to Write Short Stories course I also took. Then my brain said, "Girl goes on walk, loses home." Built it up from there. I don't have a specific title yet, but it's working title is Error in the Program.
The idea came from a couple items in my head. Specifically from the Holly Lisle - How to Write Short Stories course I also took. Then my brain said, "Girl goes on walk, loses home." Built it up from there. I don't have a specific title yet, but it's working title is Error in the Program.
Kimberly Sue Iverson
The majority of my book ideas come from dreams, and the most recent are no different. I have a few different ones I'll be working on and they were all dreams. I have one scene in my head from the dream, and then I build it out with asking questions. Who, What, Where, When, Why, How questions. What if questions are great to allow my brain to percolate on those for a bit without committing to that idea. As in, "what if he never knew she was such and such?" It remains in the back of my mind for a while then while I write, it answers itself.
Kimberly Sue Iverson
Since most give the, "learn the rules so you can break the rules speech," I'll offer something different. Don't be afraid to go against the grain. Be yourself, in other words. THAT is who your reader wants. Not someone else. YOUR voice. It's very hard, and it takes a few years to really build that confidence, but be fearless. It's not about having thick skin. I've never learned that, and may never learn it. Otherwise getting a scathing review wouldn't hurt because my heart is in my work. But it's about learning persistence, and having the ability to get back up after you've been knocked down. Learning how to control your reaction to things. Let things make you better instead of quitting. Let yourself never know enough, and always strive to learn more. Persistence and grit is what writers who make it have. They simply don't give up. They can be nobody else but themselves. Not everyone will be a fan. People will hate your work for no reason. But the people who love your work? They will love it for every reason you do. Love what you're writing.
Kimberly Sue Iverson
Being able to provide someone with an escape from the world they're dealing with, like I had as a child. Allowing others the chance, like I have when I read, to become someone else, and forget about life for a few minutes. And let's face it, I love to see what my characters are up to. I'm an avid learner of the human mind, why people do the things they do, and it's just interesting to see how my characters will deal with things.
Kimberly Sue Iverson
I personally feel like true writer's block is an incapability to write (severe cases that rarely come to pass), not just that words aren't coming. Often what is mistaken for writer's block is more like a pause in the creativity. The words can come, I just haven't figured out which ones are right. Say I get stuck. It can be from boredom, or I'm not feeling well, maybe I'm too stressed, or I'm just over-thinking. Like most writers I can allow too many critics in my head. I'll think everything is no good (being polite) and that keeps the words from flowing. Because the words are there so there is no real block. The story too. I just haven't found the connection between this scene and the next in my head. So I just keep puttering along. Even if I'm only getting a few words typed, I'll type something. Because then I have words to edit later on. Maybe I don't know a word I need, or a paragraph. Maybe not even the ending. Often then I write [note - needs ending here] and then I'll keep writing. Or I'll put in a [note - make sure this is accurate]. Anything so that the words keep flowing. If I only achieve 3 words today, I've achieved more than I had yesterday, even if the words are, "enhance the setting/needs more." That's still a story to edit later. Other times I've gone back a few chapters and read what I've written. That too can unleash the beast.
To sum up: I'll read over what I've written from the previous week. I keep puttering along, knowing that eventually the words are going to flow. I don't usually write on weekends so my brain can have a break (One or two days off is more than sufficient, otherwise it may be difficult to get back into the story.) Those 3 always win for me if the creativity pauses and I'm struggling to get from A-C.
To sum up: I'll read over what I've written from the previous week. I keep puttering along, knowing that eventually the words are going to flow. I don't usually write on weekends so my brain can have a break (One or two days off is more than sufficient, otherwise it may be difficult to get back into the story.) Those 3 always win for me if the creativity pauses and I'm struggling to get from A-C.
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