Ask the Author: Andrea Ring
Answered Questions (7)
Andrea Ring
Hi, Larry! Thanks so much for the question!
I got the idea for Nervous System and the main character Thomas when our third child was in kindergarten (he's now 11). He was speaking in full sentences on his first birthday, and he was full of questions, and he was just hilarious. He'd wake us up early in the morning by knocking on our bedroom door, and when we asked, "Who is it?", his answer was always, "Your son, Dennis Tyler Ring."
His first day of kindergarten, the teacher pulled me aside because he'd floored her. She picked a different child each day to be the "Captain," and after announcing that this boy Connor was the first "Captain," our son stood up, clapped, and said, "Wow! Congratulations, Connor! I'm so proud of you! Come on, everyone! Let's hear it for Connor!"
Connor, it turns out, is autistic and has a photographic memory. He's extraordinary. I thought, if someone did have complete access to their memory...what else might they be able to do with their body? Nervous System was born!
I got the idea for Nervous System and the main character Thomas when our third child was in kindergarten (he's now 11). He was speaking in full sentences on his first birthday, and he was full of questions, and he was just hilarious. He'd wake us up early in the morning by knocking on our bedroom door, and when we asked, "Who is it?", his answer was always, "Your son, Dennis Tyler Ring."
His first day of kindergarten, the teacher pulled me aside because he'd floored her. She picked a different child each day to be the "Captain," and after announcing that this boy Connor was the first "Captain," our son stood up, clapped, and said, "Wow! Congratulations, Connor! I'm so proud of you! Come on, everyone! Let's hear it for Connor!"
Connor, it turns out, is autistic and has a photographic memory. He's extraordinary. I thought, if someone did have complete access to their memory...what else might they be able to do with their body? Nervous System was born!
Andrea Ring
The pro tag of The System Series - Thomas - was inspired by my 9yo son, Tyler. He was a precocious little thing, speaking full sentences at his first birthday, taking things apart, always negotiating with me. I heard the old axiom that we only use 10% of our brain, and I thought, what would Tyler be like if he could use ALL of his brain? If he had access to it, total recall, the ability to grow neurons? So I started research on the brain, and the series was born.
Andrea Ring
I'm more compelled than inspired. I write character-driven stories as opposed to plot-driven - I literally hear characters talking in my head. When they have an interesting conversation, I'm compelled to write it down. People - what they are thinking and feeling, their motivations - fascinate me.
Andrea Ring
I just finished editing Operating System, the third book in The System Series. It should be out next month. I've already started book 4.
I'm also working on a YA urban fantasy series, tentatively titled The Surge. In that world, more than half the population has magical powers - they "surge" around age 14, their hair changes color, and their powers come to them. Tasha is late to surge and is afraid she's a neut - a neutral, someone without power. But it turns out she has one of the craziest powers of all.
I'm also working on a YA urban fantasy series, tentatively titled The Surge. In that world, more than half the population has magical powers - they "surge" around age 14, their hair changes color, and their powers come to them. Tasha is late to surge and is afraid she's a neut - a neutral, someone without power. But it turns out she has one of the craziest powers of all.
Andrea Ring
You are only "aspiring" if you've never written anything. If you've put pen to paper or fingers to the keys and produced a poem, a story, a blog post, you ARE a writer.
Trust yourself. You know when something is off, when dialogue sounds wooden, when a plot twist isn't working. Don't ignore that twinge in your gut that says you need a re-write. On the other hand, trust what you think works.
Write the story you'd want to read.
Know that every time you write, you improve. Journaling, blogging, writing coherent Facebook posts - they all contribute to becoming a better writer. Care about your written output, even if it's casual.
Figure out what you need to improve, and work on it. If you know you can't spell, religiously use spellcheck and a proofreader. If your grammar skills are weak, read a book on the subject and practice. Get granular with this - if you can't master the comma, know that you'll have to pay special attention to commas during edits. It's okay to have weaknesses in writing, but don't let your readers see them.
Trust yourself. You know when something is off, when dialogue sounds wooden, when a plot twist isn't working. Don't ignore that twinge in your gut that says you need a re-write. On the other hand, trust what you think works.
Write the story you'd want to read.
Know that every time you write, you improve. Journaling, blogging, writing coherent Facebook posts - they all contribute to becoming a better writer. Care about your written output, even if it's casual.
Figure out what you need to improve, and work on it. If you know you can't spell, religiously use spellcheck and a proofreader. If your grammar skills are weak, read a book on the subject and practice. Get granular with this - if you can't master the comma, know that you'll have to pay special attention to commas during edits. It's okay to have weaknesses in writing, but don't let your readers see them.
Andrea Ring
Interacting with my readers. Every email or Facebook post is a gift.
Andrea Ring
I don't believe in writer's block. Sometimes I'll get stumped about the direction I'm headed, but the way to break through is to continue to write. I might have to edit entire sections, backtrack, or sit back and allow myself the time to think, but I've never been completely "blocked." (Thank goodness!)
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