Ask the Author: Aaron L. Parrish
Answered Questions (7)
Aaron L. Parrish
It's not really my story, I just made it more readable. But, for those interested, it's here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/aaron-l-parr...
Aaron L. Parrish
My most recent book borrows pretty heavily from my own life, so I guess that. There was also a good chunk that was inspired by an Oasis song. I just cobbled it all together.
Aaron L. Parrish
Mostly by absorbing other stories. One of the best tools to being a writer is being a reader, or at least some sort of consumer of stories. And stories are everywhere, not just on the page. Movies, TV, video games, your everyday life. Keep your ears and eyes perked up, because you never know what you might want to use later.
Aaron L. Parrish
Editing. The worst part! I just finished the James Sedor series, so now I'm editing it all together as a single volume. But there is more in the pipeline, I promise!
Aaron L. Parrish
Don't overthink it. Don't wait for a perfect time. Don't wait for permission. Just start. Open up your preferred word processor (I like Google Docs, so I can write anywhere there is an internet connection.) and just start putting words down. Don't think you have anything to say? Just start somewhere, and you will find the story. Or, better, the story will find you. Will it be a great work of art. Maybe! Maybe not. Either way, you will have created something that never existed before and could have never existed without you. And that is more than reason enough to add your voice to the world.
Aaron L. Parrish
Watching your creations take on a life of their own.
You might have plans for where you want the story to go. At least in my experience, you will very rarely get there. And that's not a bad thing! As you write and your characters develop personalities and motivations, you will find that your original destination no longer makes sense. Instead, you will end up some place better, some place more organic and real. You will have the words just fall out of you, because the best part about being a writer is when you stop being a writer. You merely become an observer to the story. You become a journalist, just reporting what is happening. And it is glorious.
You might have plans for where you want the story to go. At least in my experience, you will very rarely get there. And that's not a bad thing! As you write and your characters develop personalities and motivations, you will find that your original destination no longer makes sense. Instead, you will end up some place better, some place more organic and real. You will have the words just fall out of you, because the best part about being a writer is when you stop being a writer. You merely become an observer to the story. You become a journalist, just reporting what is happening. And it is glorious.
Aaron L. Parrish
Easy. Just keep writing.
I don't know that I necessarily believe in Writer's Block. Writer's Block is an excuse to quit, an excuse to stop. A way to say "I have nothing left to say" without admitting defeat. But you do have more to say. Just keep writing. Take a break if you need to, but don't make it too long. Get your butt in the chair (or wherever you write) and get words on the page. You will find the groove again. 98 and three-quarters percent guaranteed.
I don't know that I necessarily believe in Writer's Block. Writer's Block is an excuse to quit, an excuse to stop. A way to say "I have nothing left to say" without admitting defeat. But you do have more to say. Just keep writing. Take a break if you need to, but don't make it too long. Get your butt in the chair (or wherever you write) and get words on the page. You will find the groove again. 98 and three-quarters percent guaranteed.
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