Ask the Author: S.N. Arly
Answered Questions (10)
S.N. Arly
Which joint will malfunction today? Not a terribly satisfying plot.
S.N. Arly
The car was loaded with features and gadgets, from seat warmers, to an engine block heated coffee dispenser. It wasn't until they reached the highway that they discovered that it had no seat-belts.
S.N. Arly
If I'm allowed to go to one of my own worlds, I'd love to visit the patisserie boulangerie in Something Familiar and have a true French eclair.
If I need to visit someone else's world, I would love to spend some time in Imladris (Rivendell) with Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin discussing the finer things in life, good food, music, friends, and gardening.
If I need to visit someone else's world, I would love to spend some time in Imladris (Rivendell) with Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin discussing the finer things in life, good food, music, friends, and gardening.
S.N. Arly
Ideally in the not too distant future, my novels will become available. I wrote several while coming to terms with the fact that traditional publishing wasn't a model I wanted to follow (too many of my friends have ended up writing what they're told to, not what they want to).
I've had a couple of slow writing years due to some upheaval in the day job, but I've settled into a nice situation recently that will make it possible for me to get much more writing done. Revisiting my waiting novels is high on the priority list.
Thanks for asking!
I've had a couple of slow writing years due to some upheaval in the day job, but I've settled into a nice situation recently that will make it possible for me to get much more writing done. Revisiting my waiting novels is high on the priority list.
Thanks for asking!
S.N. Arly
It's rare that I have to actively seek inspiration. My brain is apparently wired to find inspiration and ideas in routine interactions with the world. Visiting new places can help give me new setting ideas. People watching at malls, fairs, or events can give me character ideas. Generally, just paying attention to what's around me can start a story.
S.N. Arly
I love meeting new characters and really getting to know them. I also really enjoy taking these characters on an adventure. It makes me happy when I get to share these stories, about these characters I love, with people who will enjoy them.
S.N. Arly
The novel I'm currently working on came about when I realized that the novel I wanted to write was not going to be marketable for me at this time. The original plan was adult fiction, fantasy, involving the fae and changelings... sort of. It's a story idea I've been working on for years, but the fantasy element doesn't show up until a good third of the way through the plotted storyline. Neil Gaiman can get away with this. I can't.
Because I liked some of the core components of that novel, but it didn't make sense to start it at the point magic showed up, I came up with a similar setup, developed a different plot (with magic at the fore) and moved it to a young adult setting.
Because I liked some of the core components of that novel, but it didn't make sense to start it at the point magic showed up, I came up with a similar setup, developed a different plot (with magic at the fore) and moved it to a young adult setting.
S.N. Arly
I've got a second collection of short stories in the works. It's been through my writers' group and I'm working on the cover now.
I'm about a third to half the way through a YA fantasy novel. It's going slower than I'd like, even though it's pretty well on track and I'm happy with where it's going.
I'm contemplating some world/magic alterations to a trunk novel (and its sequels, one of which is also hanging out in the trunk). I'm trusting my brain will come up with some solutions that will strengthen the novel and the series.
I'm about a third to half the way through a YA fantasy novel. It's going slower than I'd like, even though it's pretty well on track and I'm happy with where it's going.
I'm contemplating some world/magic alterations to a trunk novel (and its sequels, one of which is also hanging out in the trunk). I'm trusting my brain will come up with some solutions that will strengthen the novel and the series.
S.N. Arly
Like any art, you're going to find parts of the process that are really easy for you and other parts that you're not as good at. I've always had a good handle on developing characters, but for a long time, plot was hit or miss in my work. Keep writing, keep trying to find ways to improve on your weaknesses, and don't measure your success by things that are beyond your control.
There's no one right way to be a writer.
There's no one right way to be a writer.
S.N. Arly
I've been fortunate in that I haven't really ever had writer's block. I've had times when I haven't felt like writing, but that's really a different animal. I've been stumped on a project and unable to move forward on it, but again, not really writer's block.
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