Ask the Author: Phillip O. Stanley II
Answered Questions (5)
Phillip O. Stanley II
#1. Never give up!
#2. Write, (frequently).
#3. Read, (frequently).
#4. Edit,(see #12).
#5. Ignore self-doubt, you can do this! Writing is a lot like assembling a big jigsaw puzzle, only with words. The right words fit into place creating the overarching visual upon the canvas of your mind. You've put a puzzle together before haven't you? It just takes time and patience, you can do this.
#6. Don't ignore your friends/family, there is more to life than writing and far greater joys than being published. Writing is supposed to be a fun thing remember?
#7. Write notes for yourself, jot down ideas, scenes, character names, etc. Don't lose that good idea because you told yourself "Oh, I'll be sure remember that." Eventually you will forget something that you'd wished you hadn't.
#8. Never toss away a good idea/scene, even if it doesn't fit into your current manuscript, that idea/scene/character name, etc. may come in handy for a future manuscript.
#9. Always backup your work, (don't learn the hard way).
#10. Always backup, the backup of your work, (I had to learn the hard way).
#11. Educate yourself on the business of publishing. (I can't stress this enough).
#12. Edit, edit, and edit again, then keep editing until the thought of editing that manuscript even one more time makes you puke. Wipe your mouth, rinse, then edit again.
#13. Have your book professionally edited. (If you are traditionally published, your publisher will facilitate this, if you are self-published, a professional editor should be hired).
#12. A great sense of humility will serve you well when being edited. Even God has been edited, (King James version, etc.).
#13. Learn from every edit, try not to repeat the same errors and always strive to become a better writer.
#14. Understand that books are never finished, they're abandoned, this means that you can edit or write new scenes, until the cows come home, but at some point, you will have to say, "It's finished."
#15.Never give up!
#2. Write, (frequently).
#3. Read, (frequently).
#4. Edit,(see #12).
#5. Ignore self-doubt, you can do this! Writing is a lot like assembling a big jigsaw puzzle, only with words. The right words fit into place creating the overarching visual upon the canvas of your mind. You've put a puzzle together before haven't you? It just takes time and patience, you can do this.
#6. Don't ignore your friends/family, there is more to life than writing and far greater joys than being published. Writing is supposed to be a fun thing remember?
#7. Write notes for yourself, jot down ideas, scenes, character names, etc. Don't lose that good idea because you told yourself "Oh, I'll be sure remember that." Eventually you will forget something that you'd wished you hadn't.
#8. Never toss away a good idea/scene, even if it doesn't fit into your current manuscript, that idea/scene/character name, etc. may come in handy for a future manuscript.
#9. Always backup your work, (don't learn the hard way).
#10. Always backup, the backup of your work, (I had to learn the hard way).
#11. Educate yourself on the business of publishing. (I can't stress this enough).
#12. Edit, edit, and edit again, then keep editing until the thought of editing that manuscript even one more time makes you puke. Wipe your mouth, rinse, then edit again.
#13. Have your book professionally edited. (If you are traditionally published, your publisher will facilitate this, if you are self-published, a professional editor should be hired).
#12. A great sense of humility will serve you well when being edited. Even God has been edited, (King James version, etc.).
#13. Learn from every edit, try not to repeat the same errors and always strive to become a better writer.
#14. Understand that books are never finished, they're abandoned, this means that you can edit or write new scenes, until the cows come home, but at some point, you will have to say, "It's finished."
#15.Never give up!
Phillip O. Stanley II
I've always loved to write. I can't sing, (my brother can), I can't dance, (my brother can), I can't draw or paint artistically, (yep, my bother can). But, I do have some ability to write, so I use writing as my artistic outlet.
Many things inspire me, it can be, a visual thing, or a moment shared between people, a distant memory or heartfelt emotion. These don't necessarily have to be pleasant visuals, moments, memories or emotions to draw inspiration, however I prefer the pleasant ones. I think daydreaming and a general lack of sleep help inspire too.
Many things inspire me, it can be, a visual thing, or a moment shared between people, a distant memory or heartfelt emotion. These don't necessarily have to be pleasant visuals, moments, memories or emotions to draw inspiration, however I prefer the pleasant ones. I think daydreaming and a general lack of sleep help inspire too.
Phillip O. Stanley II
The idea for my most recent book, Aethiel-Dor, which is the second novel in The Blackrose, A Chronicle of the Elves series, stems from my love of the classic overland journey and my fondness for people who have no desire to be heroes but when called upon, do what must be done.
Phillip O. Stanley II
Well, if writer's block rears its ugly head, I switch my efforts to a different manuscript, (often a shorter one). I work on or even finish this manuscript, then revisit the manuscript that I experienced the block with. For whatever reason, this little trick always seems to work well for me.
Phillip O. Stanley II
Currently, my main focus is on fourth novel in The Blackrose, A Chronicle of the Elves series. Aside from that I'm writing a horror manuscript and have a couple more children's books in the works.
Like most authors, I've several projects on the back burner.
Like most authors, I've several projects on the back burner.
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