Ask the Author: Dale Ivan Smith
Answered Questions (5)
Dale Ivan Smith
I'm finishing Empowered: Rebel, the fourth and final novel in The Empowered series. I also have a tie-in story featuring Alex Sanchez.
Dale Ivan Smith
For me, writer's block is either a case of I don't know what to write next in a novel, or it's creative Resistance, as labeled by author Steven Pressfield. If I don't know what to write next, it's because I haven't thought the story through. That's rarely a problem these days, because I now outline my novels before writing them. If it's Resistance, then I acknowledge that, breath, and get writing. Distractions are the hardest, especially the internet. Timed writing helps a a lot.
Dale Ivan Smith
Being able to create characters, whole worlds, and spin stories from those people and settings. Playing a game of "pretend" every day.
Dale Ivan Smith
Write. I know it sounds trite, but let yourself write, even if only for fifteen minutes a day. Do it every day to make it a habit. Read, and think about why a novel or story affected you like it did.
Dale Ivan Smith
I brainstorm on paper, imagine the characters out in the world, think about the effect I want the story to have. Taking walks and hitting the gym also energizes me.
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