Ask the Author: Eileen Bell
Answered Questions (4)
Eileen Bell
Always remember, you aren't as good as you think you are. Take writing courses, from authors you respect, if possible, and really take to heart what they tell you. Even if it hurst. (Especially if it hurts!)
The first draft of any story is just that--a first draft. You'll need to rewrite. That is a given. So, learn to love that part of the job, too.
Every story can stand losing at least ten percent of its words, so don't fall in love with any of them. Be willing to cut to the bone. Then, the story will shine through. The story's the thing, after all.
Oh, and keep writing, even if it's only for yourself. Eventually, you WILL be as good as you think you are now.
The first draft of any story is just that--a first draft. You'll need to rewrite. That is a given. So, learn to love that part of the job, too.
Every story can stand losing at least ten percent of its words, so don't fall in love with any of them. Be willing to cut to the bone. Then, the story will shine through. The story's the thing, after all.
Oh, and keep writing, even if it's only for yourself. Eventually, you WILL be as good as you think you are now.
Eileen Bell
My work clothes are pajamas. Best thing ever!
Eileen Bell
Writer's block. This is a nasty bit of business, and to those lucky writers who never block up--yes, it really can happen! This can happen to me when I don't write every day (or as close to every day as I can.) And sometimes I need to use my equivalent to dynamite to get the words going again. My favourite tool is The Writer's Way by Julia Cameron. Generally, this workbook was written for beginning writers, but some of the exercises are excellent--and going through the book gets me back into writing mode.
When I'm just a bit blocked, I edit an older work. Something that hasn't been published yet. Gets me back into writing mode, so I can write new words.
However, when my writing is going well, but suddenly the story stops... I look for a problem in the story. If I try to make a character do something they wouldn't do, just to push forward the plot, I usually hit a wall. So, I have to go back, and figure out how the character WOULD act and react in that situation. Then, I can write again.
When I'm just a bit blocked, I edit an older work. Something that hasn't been published yet. Gets me back into writing mode, so I can write new words.
However, when my writing is going well, but suddenly the story stops... I look for a problem in the story. If I try to make a character do something they wouldn't do, just to push forward the plot, I usually hit a wall. So, I have to go back, and figure out how the character WOULD act and react in that situation. Then, I can write again.
Eileen Bell
Honestly, the inspiration is built into the writing. I try to write every day, and when I'm there, in the story, I (sometimes eventually) feel better and better about being there. Sounds a bit silly, I know -- but what I've learned is, it's important for me to write as often as I can. Every day, if possible. If I drift away and get caught up in other things, I lose the will to write, and then I have to force myself back. (And now I guess I'll answer the writer's block question, because that's what happens to me when I'm away too long...)
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