Ask the Author: Alisia Compton
Answered Questions (6)
Alisia Compton
The idea came from a dream I had just after my first wedding anniversary. I've now been married for six years, so this was a while ago. Our wedding took place at Hillside Inn, a beautiful plantation style home nestled in trees, on a sprawling property in Wyoming, NY. I love that place and it's what inspired the Molly Grange Inn in Blood on the Vine, but the book takes place in wine country near Seneca Lake. We camped and visited the wineries and I was just really in love with everything I saw, the fat Concord grapes, the sparkling waters, etc. etc. But, after we got home I had a terrible nightmare. We were back at Hillside Inn where we were married, but there were these gas lamps just blinking in and out. I got lost in the woods, lost my husband, my friends, etc. The lights would come on and then go out, and I feared ghosts. In the morning, I wrote it all down and just have been fleshing it out ever since.
Alisia Compton
I don't know. If you look at the notes section on my iphone, there's just so much there. If someone tells me an interesting story, sometimes I jot that down. Sometimes, I describe a person or an event because it touches my heart, makes me afraid, turns me on, or is otherwise impactful. I write down dreams if they're significant. I have really vivid dreams sometimes. I also write comedy, music, etc. which sometimes gets developed and sometimes stays where it is. Sometimes, my mind just starts working on an idea, fleshing it out, and I write it down. Not everything is worth exploring, but I like to save and catalog everything. Also, I research a lot for my job as a corporate writer and sometimes I'll discover a nugget of information that I have to create a story around it.
Alisia Compton
I am working on expanding my debut novel, Twelve: After Midnight. It was originally a short story, but I have added to it and reworked it into a full-length novel. I'm always working on Lucy and The Letter Eaters. I am never satisfied with it because it's just so long. I'm also working on editing two short stories to add to my book of short stories, "The Dog and Others." The sequel to Shift River is half-done, but it's been slow going.
Each day, I work on blog posts for corporations and copywriting gigs, etc. And, on weekends I enjoy my family.
Each day, I work on blog posts for corporations and copywriting gigs, etc. And, on weekends I enjoy my family.
Alisia Compton
Don't give up. Don't let fear or embarassment make you give up. I wasted a lot of time feeling embarassed. I knew my first couple books and first 100 or so blogs and articles were substandard. They were, but the only real negativity I received came from myself. I stopped myself from sharing what I'd created because I worried I would be judged based on my novice skill level, but I kept going, kept writing, kept sharing, and kept editing those first couple works that I was proud of but that I knew were lacking. If you stay persistant, you will get better and better. I have so many skills, most of which are self-taught, because I aspire every day to get better. I won't give up and neither should you or any aspiring writers. Hey, at the end of the day, I am an aspiring writer too. I don't have a traditional publishing platform or an editor. I have to revisit my works and consistently edit, rewrite, publish, etc. It's all a work in progress, but the longer you'll do it the more you'll gain. So, it's plain advice but it's the best advice: don't give up. Keep writing. Believe in yourself.
Alisia Compton
I used to think the freedom to make my own schedule was the best thing, but that's not it. The best thing about writing is that it's an outlet. Before I started, I had a myriad of emotional problems caused by repressed trauma, but writing has helped me to process what was hurting me. Also, publishing helped me to feel self-confidence. Every time I publish an article for a business or blog, I feel skilled. Everytime I publish a book, I feel pride about my accomplishments.
Alisia Compton
I take a break and focus on something else. If writing is too difficult, there are things that could use my attention. Becasue I'm writing, I sometimes neglect website design, housework, yard work, reading new books etc. A creative break is a good time to tackle other jobs. Also, really good books are inspirational. If I read something really good, I am inspired to write something. Keep reading and your desire to create will return.
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