Ask the Author: Erica Cameron
Answered Questions (3)
Erica Cameron
Hello! Devalo is finished, and I take 100% of the blame for it not being out yet. Editing was delayed because of my contracted books took over my schedule, and I couldn't fit the editing in. I really am hoping that it will be out before the end of 2016, though!
Erica Cameron
Hi, Cintia! That's a hard question because I've found that the answer is different every time it happens. Sometimes I just need a few days away from writing, so I read, watch movies, make jewelry, waste time on the internet--whatever I feel like doing that isn't writing.
For something that has lasted that long, though, (and yes that has happened to me) the answer is simple and also very, very complicated: write. To get yourself back into writing, you have to write.
The important thing to keep in mind is that it's going to be grueling in the beginning and almost everything you work on is going to feel painfully awful. You're likely going to wonder why you're even bothering with any of this--I know that's what ran through my head when I was grappling with the same problem. Start small. Start with a journal if that's something you have any interest in. Then move into trying to write one paragraph of a story (or one stanza, if you're a poet). Make your initial goals small and manageable, but be sure to meet them every day. Maybe on one day all you do is write down an idea. Great! Now you have an idea percolating in your mind! Maybe the next day you write a section of dialogue. Wonderful! You've got characters! If you continue to do this, slowly making your goals larger and more complicated once you see that you can meet them, it will become habit again. Each time will be easier--though never actually easy--and before you know it you'll have a large chunk of writing completed. Maybe it will all be part of one project and you'll be close to finished with a novel, but maybe not. Maybe you will have written several short stories and a few random chapters of different possible books. That's fine! The process of breaking through your block is the hard part.
If that still doesn't work, try any/all of these things:
--Search the internet for writing prompts and story starters.
--Look through sites like Flickr, Instagram, Pinterest, PostSecret, etc. for pictures that will spark your imagination.
--Read--read a LOT of different books from a lot of different authors.
Try to learn a new craft or hobby.
--Switch up your writing process--try writing by hand if you usually type on the computer or vice versa.
--Spend more time each day moving--I have an author friend who SWEARS by plotting a book while taking a long walk.
If nothing on THAT list works? Well, in that case it may be time to consider other possible causes. The times in my life when I couldn't bring myself to write or even think about starting to write were the times when I was deeply depressed. I had to deal with my own happiness and mental health before I could consider going back to creating stories. I'm not necessarily saying that this is the case for you, but if nothing is working to unblock you, look for other factors like stress, depression, anxiety, health issues, etc. that could potentially be causing the blockage. Sometimes the block won't go away until you've found your own inner peace again--or at least found a little of it.
I hope this helps! Good luck with your writing, Cintia!
For something that has lasted that long, though, (and yes that has happened to me) the answer is simple and also very, very complicated: write. To get yourself back into writing, you have to write.
The important thing to keep in mind is that it's going to be grueling in the beginning and almost everything you work on is going to feel painfully awful. You're likely going to wonder why you're even bothering with any of this--I know that's what ran through my head when I was grappling with the same problem. Start small. Start with a journal if that's something you have any interest in. Then move into trying to write one paragraph of a story (or one stanza, if you're a poet). Make your initial goals small and manageable, but be sure to meet them every day. Maybe on one day all you do is write down an idea. Great! Now you have an idea percolating in your mind! Maybe the next day you write a section of dialogue. Wonderful! You've got characters! If you continue to do this, slowly making your goals larger and more complicated once you see that you can meet them, it will become habit again. Each time will be easier--though never actually easy--and before you know it you'll have a large chunk of writing completed. Maybe it will all be part of one project and you'll be close to finished with a novel, but maybe not. Maybe you will have written several short stories and a few random chapters of different possible books. That's fine! The process of breaking through your block is the hard part.
If that still doesn't work, try any/all of these things:
--Search the internet for writing prompts and story starters.
--Look through sites like Flickr, Instagram, Pinterest, PostSecret, etc. for pictures that will spark your imagination.
--Read--read a LOT of different books from a lot of different authors.
Try to learn a new craft or hobby.
--Switch up your writing process--try writing by hand if you usually type on the computer or vice versa.
--Spend more time each day moving--I have an author friend who SWEARS by plotting a book while taking a long walk.
If nothing on THAT list works? Well, in that case it may be time to consider other possible causes. The times in my life when I couldn't bring myself to write or even think about starting to write were the times when I was deeply depressed. I had to deal with my own happiness and mental health before I could consider going back to creating stories. I'm not necessarily saying that this is the case for you, but if nothing is working to unblock you, look for other factors like stress, depression, anxiety, health issues, etc. that could potentially be causing the blockage. Sometimes the block won't go away until you've found your own inner peace again--or at least found a little of it.
I hope this helps! Good luck with your writing, Cintia!
Erica Cameron
Hi! Inspiration is a funny thing to try to explain because the answer to the "Where does it come from?" question is "Everywhere." My debut novel was inspired by two songs I happened to hear back to back ("Mariella" by Kate Nash and "Creation Lake" by Silversun Pickups in case you're interested), but I've had other books inspired by car accidents I've almost witnessed, conversations I've overheard, and concepts I've pondered. The one thing that all of these moments have in common is that I asked questions. Why did that happen? What might have happened next? What would someone in this situation do/say/think if (fill in the blank)? The more you get into the habit of questioning the world around you, the easier it will be to find your moments of inspiration.
As for holding my first book for the first time? Indescribable. There may have been tears. There were definitely grins. I spent most of a week quite literally petting the soft, matte cover of my very pretty book! Since each book really is a whole new experience, though, I don't think that it will ever feel less than amazing to see/hold my book for the first time.
As for holding my first book for the first time? Indescribable. There may have been tears. There were definitely grins. I spent most of a week quite literally petting the soft, matte cover of my very pretty book! Since each book really is a whole new experience, though, I don't think that it will ever feel less than amazing to see/hold my book for the first time.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more