Ask the Author: Pat Haddock
Answered Questions (9)
Pat Haddock
Writer's block is a natural part of writing. In my case, when I reach a dead-end, I understand that my characters and plot are in conflict with my line of thought.
Fortunately, I usually listen to them and change the direction of the story. That breaks through the block for me. Every writer is different. I can't follow an outline. My characters exert their personalities and proclivities during the writing and I allow them to do so and go where they wish.
Yes, sometimes that gets me into a deep research project to be sure they're following a realistic path, but the story's better for that effort.
Fortunately, I usually listen to them and change the direction of the story. That breaks through the block for me. Every writer is different. I can't follow an outline. My characters exert their personalities and proclivities during the writing and I allow them to do so and go where they wish.
Yes, sometimes that gets me into a deep research project to be sure they're following a realistic path, but the story's better for that effort.
Pat Haddock
Well, of course, good reviews and kudos feel great. However, there is something inside a writer that needs to get out—a compelling need to share experiences, fears, joys, failures, and successes. That can all be done through the characters and situations in a writer's story. For me, it's a desire to share wisdom resulting from the successes and failures of my characters so that the reader is better armed to face his/her own challenges.
Pat Haddock
I think that can best be answered by a quote from Edgar Rice Burroughs:
"If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor."
So, aspiring writer—write, and write, and write!
"If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor."
So, aspiring writer—write, and write, and write!
Pat Haddock
I've tried my hand at writing a dog book, a young adult historical novel, a cookbook, and I've published a collection of short stories. My latest offering is a mystery.
Now I'm working on what will probably turn out to be a romance wrapped around a mystery with paranormal accents. My characters often decide how they want to play out the scenes; I just record them.
Now I'm working on what will probably turn out to be a romance wrapped around a mystery with paranormal accents. My characters often decide how they want to play out the scenes; I just record them.
Pat Haddock
Writing is a solitary business. I really can't tell you where an idea comes from, but once it's in my head, it won't let me go.
Pat Haddock
Usually, one of my books is built around a single scene and it develops from there. For The Secrets At Muddy Puddle Farm, the opening scene where Clarissa is in a hayfield (and picks up a LOT of chigger bites) was that story germ.
Pat Haddock
I just finished The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs. I enjoyed it immensely. Kristen Hannah's The Great Alone is a page-turner. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate was a spirit-lifter. This Magnificent Dappled Sea by David Biro was an enlightening read about bone-marrow transplants. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens was a moving tale about a child left to fend for herself.
Pat Haddock
To tell the truth, this is a fictional book world. Any newspaper will provide an article about an event that a reader has trouble believing that it actually happened. The history of this world often is unbelievable, but it happened. All a writer has to do is cast a viewpoint on any event, and it is a fictional world.
Pat Haddock
The baby cried and the mother wept with joy. The baby died and the mother wept and wept and wept.
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