Ask the Author: James Calderon
Answered Questions (5)
James Calderon
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James Calderon
Finding inspiration to write is backwards, I think. You should write to be inspired, not be inspired to write.
That means sitting and doing.
That being said, inspiration to write really strikes at anytime. As mentioned before the more resources of inspiration you can have around you at any given time, the better. You want to have "triggers". Things that you have noted to have struck you with some kind of inspiration in the past. Unfortunately that's no guarantee that they will strike that inspiration again, but you never know.
Certain activities get me thinking about writing too, like my martial arts practice, or music, or combinations of both.
The point is flood your surroundings with inspiration, but don't wait to be inspired before you sit down to write. Just write.
"Pro" tip: Always have a pocket notebook, and even if you can write everything you want. Never let a moment of inspiration go by that doesn't get put down on paper. Inspirational explosions are way to valuable to let disappear. I often have dreams that I later translate to stories. "The Godking" was actually one such dream.
That means sitting and doing.
That being said, inspiration to write really strikes at anytime. As mentioned before the more resources of inspiration you can have around you at any given time, the better. You want to have "triggers". Things that you have noted to have struck you with some kind of inspiration in the past. Unfortunately that's no guarantee that they will strike that inspiration again, but you never know.
Certain activities get me thinking about writing too, like my martial arts practice, or music, or combinations of both.
The point is flood your surroundings with inspiration, but don't wait to be inspired before you sit down to write. Just write.
"Pro" tip: Always have a pocket notebook, and even if you can write everything you want. Never let a moment of inspiration go by that doesn't get put down on paper. Inspirational explosions are way to valuable to let disappear. I often have dreams that I later translate to stories. "The Godking" was actually one such dream.
James Calderon
I run a few projects at once. I'm currently working on the next short story in my Chronicles of Rhine Series. The short stories are intended to be the background for the larger novels I've been writing since 2004...
To recap one of my last answers on advice to aspiring writers, write a little bit everyday, anything! If you do that it's going to be hard to have a story stick like this one has.
Other than that. I am also working on a fictional "based on my life" story about breaking into the game industry, and all the drama that entails. Do what you know right?
To recap one of my last answers on advice to aspiring writers, write a little bit everyday, anything! If you do that it's going to be hard to have a story stick like this one has.
Other than that. I am also working on a fictional "based on my life" story about breaking into the game industry, and all the drama that entails. Do what you know right?
James Calderon
There's very few things I've ever undertaken that have felt as continuously daunting as trying to be a writer.
I myself and still aspiring, but as far as I've made it right now, the best advice I feel like I could give is the same thing I tell myself. Which is to write something everyday.
A poem, a sentence, and inspirational quote, ANYTHING!
Nothing is more important than doing, and you want to make sure you staying the habit of doing!
I myself and still aspiring, but as far as I've made it right now, the best advice I feel like I could give is the same thing I tell myself. Which is to write something everyday.
A poem, a sentence, and inspirational quote, ANYTHING!
Nothing is more important than doing, and you want to make sure you staying the habit of doing!
James Calderon
At the risk of sounding silly. The answer to this question is answering questions.
Conversation is the spice of life, and talking about something you love is even better. The more you ask the more you learn and writing allows me to ask my own questions, find my own answers, to be asked questions by others, and to share experiences.
I learn so much from interactions with others, regardless of it being about my writing, their writing, or a topic completely alternate. Curiosity is the tinder of creativity, mix in a sense of purpose, and there is very little reason to not love writing!
Conversation is the spice of life, and talking about something you love is even better. The more you ask the more you learn and writing allows me to ask my own questions, find my own answers, to be asked questions by others, and to share experiences.
I learn so much from interactions with others, regardless of it being about my writing, their writing, or a topic completely alternate. Curiosity is the tinder of creativity, mix in a sense of purpose, and there is very little reason to not love writing!
James Calderon
Writer's block, much like any kind of plateau happens when you've gone too long on the same "line of thinking". I find it very effective to mix everything I'm doing up. This can be as simple as standing, if I've been sitting for an extended period of time, or as extreme as heading out of the house to a crowded area to people watch.
A really effective activity for me is jumping into some sort of psychology study. I love TED for this function, but I listen to audiobooks, podcasts and have magazines close at hand. I'll often find new and interesting motives to give my characters. You should always have great resources at your fingertips.
I can say without a doubt that taking the time to surround yourself with things that inspire you before writer's block strikes is the best action you can take to combat it.
Happy Writing,
James Calderon
A really effective activity for me is jumping into some sort of psychology study. I love TED for this function, but I listen to audiobooks, podcasts and have magazines close at hand. I'll often find new and interesting motives to give my characters. You should always have great resources at your fingertips.
I can say without a doubt that taking the time to surround yourself with things that inspire you before writer's block strikes is the best action you can take to combat it.
Happy Writing,
James Calderon
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