Ask the Author: John Matthew Walker
Answered Questions (9)
John Matthew Walker
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John Matthew Walker
As a physician, the greatest mystery in my life is linking a diagnosis to a cure. Unlocking the mystery of cancer, what drives it, can you stop it, can you intercept it, can you cure it, can you end it?
John Matthew Walker
I grew up reading the Chronicles of Narnia. I would go to that fantastical land to meet Aslan.
John Matthew Walker
I'm not one to stare at a blank page. I do my best writing when I'm not writing at all or even thinking about writing. Something will happen that makes me think of my story, then the ideas start clicking.
When I write, I try to leave myself a bit of a cliff-hanger. When I sit down to write, I re-read the last section/chapter I've written and let that fuel what I write next.
When I write, I try to leave myself a bit of a cliff-hanger. When I sit down to write, I re-read the last section/chapter I've written and let that fuel what I write next.
John Matthew Walker
The process, the final product, and most of all a satisfied reader.
John Matthew Walker
Become a selective sponge and soak up all the wisdom you can from the best sources. Find a solid mentor or critique group with committed writers. Don't be afraid to throw away bad writing. Write. Read your writing out loud as though you know nothing of the story. What have you left out? What are you seeing that the reader does not see, or smell, or feel? Re-write. Obtain useful critique. Re-write. Engage with a strong editor. Know your story and why you're writing. Go to a writer's conference and connect with other writers.
Know who you're writing for, and always always always think of your reader.
Know who you're writing for, and always always always think of your reader.
John Matthew Walker
I'm writing a fantasy novel about a extraordinary little girl who doesn't know she's a princess. She is being raised by her widowed father when she is befriended by an unexpected guest, a crow. The crow befriends her after she offers him and English tea biscuit. After a while, the crow begins returning the favor with odd gifts until one of the gifts is something a bit magical.
John Matthew Walker
Honestly, most my inspiration seems to come while I'm not thinking of anything in particular. I'll be driving, listening to a podcast, staring at the sky, walking through the woods, or taking a shower. Sometimes inspiration will come in a dream, a quote, a fragrance, or something someone says.
John Matthew Walker
Heartless was inspired by a gruesome true story that is much darker than the dark tale I've written. I'm constrained from divulging the truth behind the story due to confidentiality. Suffice it to say, I couldn't bring myself to recreate the villain that was the truth, and I'm not sure too many would've been able to stomach the story. You could say I left a tiny bit of heart in Heartless.
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