Ask the Author: Bill Rockwell
Answered Questions (8)
Bill Rockwell
A father stands at his son's closet door, as his son says, "Daddy, there's someone in my closet. From within the closet the father hears, "Daddy, there's someone in my bed."
Bill Rockwell
Nick and Nora Charles. Although they and their dog solved mysteries a while ago, I was greatly influenced by them in my own murder mysteries. Hope I succeeded.
Bill Rockwell
I've only had to deal with this a couple of times. I tend to walk away from the writing, get my mind on other (enjoyable) things, and observe more consciously the world around me. Many of my stories come from happenings in my own life. I'll see two people talking, overlooking (for example) a calm sea, and try to imagine what they might be talking about, and what I can warp that into to make a scene for a book. Maybe in contrast to the calmness, they're talking about being onboard a cruise ship during a bad storm, how they coped, how they survived, maybe in a lifeboat. Then, I return to my word processor, write the scene, and see where it takes me...maybe to being on that cruise ship where the abandon ship signal is triggered not by the severity of the storm, but by a killer trying to hide his crime. It seems to work for me. Also, use your subconscious. See my answer to what inspired my latest novel.
Bill Rockwell
The feeling of accomplishment when the last word is written, and the feedback one gets from the readers. Sure, there are always critics, and my stories won't appeal to everyone, so I must, and have, gotten negative comments both about the stories and my writing. However, on the bright side, the readers who like me will leave me positive comments (by email or on my website), even if they don't leave a review on GoodReads or other sites. I may never reach the stardom of a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but I can make a few readers forget reality, appeal to sense of fantasy, draw them close to some character they can identify with, and draw them into the story where they can loose themselves for a while. At least, that is my hope. It may be ego, but I enjoy the feedback, good and bad, using the latter to improve future works.
Bill Rockwell
Keep writing, short stories, novels, poetry, anything, but keep writing. Writing is an art, constant practice improves the end product. I have written many stories that will never see publication, either because I thought the story weak, characters not believable, or I simply did not want my name associated with such dribble, but it still was worth writing. What's the first thing people ask me now that I'm an author: "How many books have you written?" I think readers want consistent/prolific authors because they like the writing style or the author's approach to telling a story or the recurrent characters. The only way to have more than one story in front of the public is to keep writing.
Bill Rockwell
I'm currently narrating Heaven's Conflict, The Rise and Fall of Angels for audiobook. At the same time, I'm working on my next murder mystery, Detective Murph Mysteries, Death of the Innocents which should be ready for publication next Fall.
Bill Rockwell
I have always found reading, even if in a genre I never intend to attempt, helps me see the way to writing. I like to think of how I would have approached the various situations the characters find themselves in. I also have moments where I think: "I can write like this," as well as moments where I think, "I can never write this good...but I'm going to try in my next story." It works for me; so, I guess I'll keep writing and imagining.
Bill Rockwell
For Heaven's Conflict, The Rise and Fall of Angels, my inspiration came during sleep. I had been extremely sick, and ha/dn't written anything because of it. That night I prayed before going to bed for a nidus of an idea; upon awaking, the entire outline of the book appeared in my mind. I wrote it down immediately on the pad I always keep at my bedside. I am a believer; so, I believe the story came from God. A non-believer said my subconscious worked on it all night, and I have it to thank. Either way, I am grateful for the idea for the story.
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