Ask the Author: Ben Zackheim
Answered Questions (7)
Ben Zackheim
Hi Tawnya! Thanks for the question. It’s a great point. I’ll see if I can add it.
Ben Zackheim
I'd be honored, Wayne.
Ben Zackheim
The series was meant to be 10 stories but I had to stop due to poor sales. I'd like to pick it back up, though! I'll never say never.
Ben Zackheim
Relics is set for at least 8 books. The seventh will be out soon. The editor is tearing it up now. ;-) Let me know what you thought of six and seven! Thanks for the question.
Ben Zackheim
Hi Jack! It did indeed die. I think it's a good idea, but when I had to choose my priorities it fell aside. Having said that I still believe that breaking away from the clutches of any single retailer is in our best interest. I'm working on a new service with a friend of mine that allows authors to get more control over their marketing efforts and expand their focus beyond the Amazon/eBook ecosystem. Check out theauthorhelper.com where we'll be announcing the new product soon. It will help all of us leverage online retailers better AND use our own site store to drive sales.
Ben Zackheim
Hi there! Just last week I brainstormed a new Shirley idea with a friend of mine. Once I'm done with The Camelot Kids book Two I'll be diving in. Look for new Shirley in 2017! Thanks so much for asking.
Ben Zackheim
I cry.
Okay, I suppose the primary way I deal with it is to accept it. Let it be. See if it "means" anything outside of some random value judgment of my talent or my ambition. Because that's where I can get lost in a downward spiral. "Not writing" begins to mean "Can't write" and it's tough to pull yourself out of that mess.
I don't think writer's block is a negative force in the creative process unless it goes on too long and becomes chronic. The act of being blocked has protected me from bad ideas and horrible choices in my creative life. It's also allowed me to spend more time on things that needed my care and attention.
I also tap my memory to recall how things usually shake out after a writer's block subsides. In my experience, when I emerge from the block I'll write like a machine. That's something to look forward to in the darkest days.
Okay, I suppose the primary way I deal with it is to accept it. Let it be. See if it "means" anything outside of some random value judgment of my talent or my ambition. Because that's where I can get lost in a downward spiral. "Not writing" begins to mean "Can't write" and it's tough to pull yourself out of that mess.
I don't think writer's block is a negative force in the creative process unless it goes on too long and becomes chronic. The act of being blocked has protected me from bad ideas and horrible choices in my creative life. It's also allowed me to spend more time on things that needed my care and attention.
I also tap my memory to recall how things usually shake out after a writer's block subsides. In my experience, when I emerge from the block I'll write like a machine. That's something to look forward to in the darkest days.
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