Ask the Author: Paul E. Stawski
Answered Questions (6)
Paul E. Stawski
With an old trick I learned years ago and still use every day. I always end my day of writing at the end of a page – not the end of an idea, a thought or a chapter. That way, when I get back at it, I can continue the thought stream without missing a beat. It’s tempting to “wrap things up” at the end of the day. Don’t do it. Leave your characters hanging. You can rescue them tomorrow, and they’ll rescue you from writer’s block.
Paul E. Stawski
Hands-down, it’s hearing from readers, fans and reviewers that I made them laugh, or cry, or somehow just made their day with my writing. It’s an unbelievable feeling. Like the Visa ad of a few years ago said, “priceless.”
Paul E. Stawski
Read. Write. Don’t be afraid to put yourself and your ideas out there. Don’t get too high with great comments and reviews, and don’t stop writing when people give you bad reviews or comments. And here’s a shortcut that will save you enormous time and frustration: read these two books: “Writing to Sell” by Scott Meredith (which outlines how to make readers keep turning the page to see what happens) and “Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder (which will make you hone and hone every word until it’s perfect). You can thank me when you win the Best Novel of the Year!
Paul E. Stawski
My Side, book three in the Both Sides series. It peels back yet another layer of the complicated onion that has become Alex’s life.
Paul E. Stawski
That's a trick question! As W. Somerset Maugham said, “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp.” I live by that and follow it religiously – though it took a while to learn that’s how real professionals do it. I also use “what if?” questions to get me going. That is, I take one of my characters and ask myself “what if…” this or that happened. Doesn’t matter how rational or outlandish the questions are. It’s gets things going, and I’m off and writing.
Paul E. Stawski
The idea for Both Sides – first the book, then the series of books – was actually simmering inside of me for quite a while before I started writing it. At first, it seemed too far fetched to ever be real. But then, everywhere I turned I discovered that many things once considered science fiction were quickly becoming science fact. Whole-face transplants. Reattaching arms and reconnecting nerves. Before I knew it, I not only had the idea for Both Sides, but also some quite believable medicine to make the whole thing seem eerily, frighteningly possible.
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