Ask the Author: J.R. Baude
Answered Questions (6)
J.R. Baude
I wish I had a deeper understanding of how the creative process works. Inspiration is a fickle thing, and trying to think my way into an idea, especially one that can fill up the sizable real estate of a novel, is virtually fruitless. That said, in all of my creative pursuits, the process manifests as one more akin to excavation than construction, at least in plain sight. In stretches of apparent idleness, all the while my subconscious seems to have been tooling away at a project and eventually taps me on the shoulder when prepared to reveal it, which presents as "inspiration". I am working on developing techniques to help speed that process up in the meantime. That said, in my conscious existence, I observe, research and learn, have active internal conversations and thought experiments to help fuel the work below. I am drawn to stories of redemption, the overcoming of impossible odds, and characters with grit offering themselves to faith. Stories and ideas that live in those themes are what drive my creative flow and fire me up to begin tapping a keyboard.
J.R. Baude
I am currently working on finding an idea for my next novel. It's a waiting game while the muses whisper among themselves about what glorious burden they will bless/saddle me with. Yes, that sounds ungrateful, not so in any way. I've heard it said that "Having written a book is very cool, writing one not so much." But that's what makes writing the gift that it is. It's a delightful struggle. In a practical sense, I'm surveying the literary landscape to see what is trending for readers. Some sort of mystery whets my appetites, so possibly something in that genre, but of course it will be peppered with my own brand of keen complexity.
J.R. Baude
My advice, not just for aspiring writers, but for aspiring anything is to find your own voice. Find it and speak the language. Of all the writers out there, chefs, wedding planners, park rangers, stone masons, and more occupations and pastimes than I can imagine, there is only one you. What will make you stand out is your uniqueness: discover it, explore it, foster it, and express it. People want to know you; you need to know you too.
J.R. Baude
Two things come to mind. First, I get to play God... Yes, I know that sounds rather presumptuous, but I build the world and bring the characters to life. I can decide who receives redemption and who gets their just desserts. Most importantly, I get to bring readers in for a visit to this new world and hopefully they depart in a better place than when they arrived. Secondly, there is this thing that happens when writing that is almost like an out of body experience. There are times where, after a session of writing, I look at the words on the page and wonder where that all came from. It's cathartic, It's therapeutic, it's spiritual, and that all magically happens while merely tapping out a parade of words on a page. It's a glorious mystery and I'm blessed to be a participant.
J.R. Baude
I write... The best remedy for a creative void is to exercise the writing muscle. It may mean a brief departure from main the project I am working on, but it can often stimulate an idea or help spill out some subconscious rubbish that is jamming my flow. If I'm at an impasse in my story, I find it can restore forward motion to build a conversational scene between two characters in the narrative. They will tell you where the story needs to go next.
J.R. Baude
I've always enjoyed cooking, especially exploring global cuisines. A culinary setting was a natural landscape for me to craft a story allowing me to employ two of my strengths, developing thematic imagery and descriptive prose. Food is a language all its own, and when done right, it's a love language.
(for a peek at my home cooking go to @mrbaude on instagram.)
(for a peek at my home cooking go to @mrbaude on instagram.)
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