Ask the Author: Edward L. Lanner
Answered Questions (7)
Edward L. Lanner
"I see someone entering my dark bedroom, and yet the door’s remained closed. Now the ghost’s approaching quickly towards where I’m lying – to retire to its bed!"
Edward L. Lanner
The opening sentences of my latest novel “The Leap into Sunlight” sketch a scene, one that I needed to understand:
"Franklin stopped talking. I’d turned to look at the clock that was next to the cot on which he lay. Barely a twist of my neck. In that moment, Franklin stopped talking."
"Franklin stopped talking. I’d turned to look at the clock that was next to the cot on which he lay. Barely a twist of my neck. In that moment, Franklin stopped talking."
Edward L. Lanner
I think visually. If a scene comes to mind that prompts many questions, I will use that as the basis for a story. It doesn’t mean that scene will necessarily come at the start of the story.
I have also had the beginnings of stories pop into my mind, prompted by news items, for example: the causes of failing sight in the elderly.
Sometimes, something about human nature will demand my attention, looking for expression.
I have also had the beginnings of stories pop into my mind, prompted by news items, for example: the causes of failing sight in the elderly.
Sometimes, something about human nature will demand my attention, looking for expression.
Edward L. Lanner
I am working on my third novel. It has something of a ‘buddy’ form, one with plot twists. Timely feedback I obtained (YouWriteOn.com) on the opening material, from an editor, prompted me to look at the characterisation of the first-person narrator afresh. I was under developing the narrator character, overlooking that character’s importance within the overall story.
Edward L. Lanner
Write down in one or two heartfelt sentences why you want to be a writer; when times become challenging, re-read this and take up your pen afresh.
Read widely across genres and styles, write and re-write until you find your Voice. Get as much independent feedback as you can. Review others’ work and consider what works and why it works. Consider objectively the feedback you receive.
Read widely across genres and styles, write and re-write until you find your Voice. Get as much independent feedback as you can. Review others’ work and consider what works and why it works. Consider objectively the feedback you receive.
Edward L. Lanner
There is delight in finding the right narrative form to express an idea, and in the crafting and shaping of prose into something imbued with the Truth of that idea. (I have posted about the idea of Truth in literature on my Goodreads blog.)
Edward L. Lanner
I don’t plot a novel in advance, preferring to discover the story through the characters. This approach results in my suffering a loss of momentum about halfway into the story, requiring me to work out how to reach the end (which I usually know in general terms).
At this point, I will layout (using PowerPoint slides) those scenes I know lie ahead and consider what is necessary to bridge those scenes. If I’m particularly stuck, I might work on writing some of the future scenes or return to my Characterisation and Setting notes. The source of difficulty might lie in my not knowing enough about the motivations of one character, say, or not be knowledgeable enough about location details.
It is also good at this stage to carefully re-read the work so far and look for thematic contradictions or tonal problems. (For example, in the novel I am working on, I am trying to incorporate comedic elements of the characterisation within what is a nightmarish storyline.)
At this point, I will layout (using PowerPoint slides) those scenes I know lie ahead and consider what is necessary to bridge those scenes. If I’m particularly stuck, I might work on writing some of the future scenes or return to my Characterisation and Setting notes. The source of difficulty might lie in my not knowing enough about the motivations of one character, say, or not be knowledgeable enough about location details.
It is also good at this stage to carefully re-read the work so far and look for thematic contradictions or tonal problems. (For example, in the novel I am working on, I am trying to incorporate comedic elements of the characterisation within what is a nightmarish storyline.)
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