Ask the Author: J.S. Gilmore
Answered Questions (3)
J.S. Gilmore
Inspiration comes from many things, however, I have found that when listening to people tell stories of their past or day to day experiences, (mostly from my family) I find that I start picturing how their situation could work in other contexts. Life lessons are especially inspiring for me. That's mostly due to the book I'm currently working on.
Staying inspired is a tough one for me. I was lucky to have been discovered by a teacher in Orlando, Florida that introduced my book, Secret Teddy Society, to his class. Receiving notes from his students helps to keep me motivated.
It's true that daily life drudgery distracts from the creative force and makes it hard to sit and write. Finding a quiet place to work is hard sometimes but essential. I am one that gets easily distracted. For me, just getting started in a new chapter helps with inspiration because I get lost in the scene. It might not matter if you keep any of what you write, it's simply starting the chapter and giving yourself a direction, a vision of where you want to go.
Get into the habit of thinking about your story even when you're not working on it. That being said, make sure you write down your moments of inspired thought--you will forget them if you don't. You know how many times I've said, "That's a perfect direction for the book. I'll remember that." NOPE!!! Write it on something: a napkin, an old invoice or receipt, your hand, anything. You'll thank me later. And, you're welcome, by the way.
Good Luck.
Staying inspired is a tough one for me. I was lucky to have been discovered by a teacher in Orlando, Florida that introduced my book, Secret Teddy Society, to his class. Receiving notes from his students helps to keep me motivated.
It's true that daily life drudgery distracts from the creative force and makes it hard to sit and write. Finding a quiet place to work is hard sometimes but essential. I am one that gets easily distracted. For me, just getting started in a new chapter helps with inspiration because I get lost in the scene. It might not matter if you keep any of what you write, it's simply starting the chapter and giving yourself a direction, a vision of where you want to go.
Get into the habit of thinking about your story even when you're not working on it. That being said, make sure you write down your moments of inspired thought--you will forget them if you don't. You know how many times I've said, "That's a perfect direction for the book. I'll remember that." NOPE!!! Write it on something: a napkin, an old invoice or receipt, your hand, anything. You'll thank me later. And, you're welcome, by the way.
Good Luck.
J.S. Gilmore
Currently, I am working on the sequel to Secret Teddy Society: Breaking The Code.
The story takes a bit darker turn (because of the nature of the plot), yet walking the line of why people enjoyed the first book makes me cautious of "too much, too soon" storyline.
The story takes a bit darker turn (because of the nature of the plot), yet walking the line of why people enjoyed the first book makes me cautious of "too much, too soon" storyline.
J.S. Gilmore
The inspiration for Secret Teddy Society came from real events. Over fifteen years ago, when my daughter was about five, she gave me two teddy bears to keep me company while I was away from home. She is a very thoughtful child. I loved talking with her on the phone, her voice was angelic, but our conversations were limited to things that she had done that day. It was hard to hold her interest on the phone until I found myself saying, "I caught the bears climbing into the fridge for some milk." What made me say it? I haven't a clue, but what happened after that was priceless. After a moment of silence... the question came, "They're alive?"
It was the way she said it; she believed me. Of course there was only one thing I could say, "Yes."
Okay, I was lying to my child, a horrible, terrible thing to do...but it was adorable.
She will admit to this day that she believed me. And why shouldn't she? I'm her dad and dads don't lie, right? You don't need to answer that.
I didn't know it at the time but the Secret Teddy Society had just been created.
Fast forward thirteen years later and I'm working on story ideas for a novel. I found myself reflecting on the teddy bears that came to life. To be forthcoming, I didn't want to write a children's book, yet the more I thought about it the more I liked what I could do with it. I also didn't want it to be about two magical teddy bears, it would be all teddy bears. Not only that, but I decided to ask serious questions regarding consequences for ones actions. When I answered them honestly or more realistically, I found that the story took a more dramatic and serious turn. I liked it. The book would take a deeper look into the world of the teddy bear. FYI, it's not all fluffy stuff either.
It was the way she said it; she believed me. Of course there was only one thing I could say, "Yes."
Okay, I was lying to my child, a horrible, terrible thing to do...but it was adorable.
She will admit to this day that she believed me. And why shouldn't she? I'm her dad and dads don't lie, right? You don't need to answer that.
I didn't know it at the time but the Secret Teddy Society had just been created.
Fast forward thirteen years later and I'm working on story ideas for a novel. I found myself reflecting on the teddy bears that came to life. To be forthcoming, I didn't want to write a children's book, yet the more I thought about it the more I liked what I could do with it. I also didn't want it to be about two magical teddy bears, it would be all teddy bears. Not only that, but I decided to ask serious questions regarding consequences for ones actions. When I answered them honestly or more realistically, I found that the story took a more dramatic and serious turn. I liked it. The book would take a deeper look into the world of the teddy bear. FYI, it's not all fluffy stuff either.
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