Ask the Author: Chip Putnam
Answered Questions (7)
Chip Putnam
Great question. Since I first found my love of reading in the genre of fantasy fiction, I must confess that my favorite fictional couple Arwen and Aragorn is found within the pages of one of its masterpieces. Aragorn's love for the elf maiden drove him to restore the great kingdom of Man upon the realms of Middle Earth while Arwen followed her heart's desire and became a mortal. While never really portrayed in the narrative of the Lord of the Rings, their love permeates the pages entwining the reader within its embrace. My second favorite fictional couple is from movie The Princess Bride because, frankly, I believe it is one of the greatest films ever made.
Chip Putnam
For me, inspiration usually hits out of the blue. Once, I was proctoring a test for one of my classes and I looked at three students sitting in my field of vision. As odd as it sounds, the thought entered my mind of "Gee, I wonder how these kids would far on an alien planet fighting giant lizards." I created an entire kingdom and opposing empire from that one thought. True story.
Chip Putnam
My daughters presented the idea for my latest books. Meetings are also areas of good inspiration. It's amazing how far afield the mind can wonder during a really long meeting.
Chip Putnam
I'm currently reworking an idea that my daughter presented about six friends in middle school, evil forces, and rampaging stuffed animals.
Chip Putnam
The best thing about being a writer is bringing the thoughts that have run through the fields of my imagination into the real world.
Chip Putnam
I've written five novel length manuscripts. When writer's block hit this summer, I quit trying to force the words to flow and revisited those other manuscripts. I checked them over, made sure the plot flowed, eliminated as many typos as I could find, and tuned up the story. I'm working on my third one now and will have to stop the process. A new story is working its way through my head. Writer's block solved.
Chip Putnam
Don't wait for the "perfect" time to start writing. It won't happen. If you have a family or as my students love to say, "A life" then expect a lot of late nights. I found that my thoughts flow best in the sill quiet after everyone else is asleep. Of course, I'm not ruling out sleep deprivation either. Just start and keep at it. Good luck.
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