Ask the Author: Andrea Boyette
Answered Questions (10)
Andrea Boyette
It's Friday night, I'm all alone, and I'm buried under a mountain of paperwork. I struggle to breathe under the weight, afraid, knowing that Monday won't come soon enough to save me.
Andrea Boyette
This is a surprisingly tricky question because for every amazing book world, there's always something in that world that's difficult or unpleasant. A challenge to overcome. I found myself weighing the pros and cons as if I were going to be one of the characters and what I would like my challenge to be. Aside from the world I created in my own book (ahem, shameless plug) I think I would choose Tolkein's Middle Earth. I might fit in best in the Shire with its cheerful and cautious souls, but there's something Tookish in my nature that would encourage me to set forth on a quest for something meaningful and greater than myself. And, ultimately, find peace somewhere to the west at the end of my journey in the company of my dear companions.
Andrea Boyette
I don't generally seek anything specific out to read in summer, actually. If anything I tend to reread old favorites because with so much going on with the warmer weather, it's nice to dig through my shelves for old friends since it's easier. I blame the laziness of the season. That said, I will probably pick up a copy of The Martian because I have wanted to read it for awhile. I also enjoy browsing the stacks and taking home something unexpected. It's summer! Anything can happen!
Andrea Boyette
Where does my money go? Ha! Still, the idea has merit with a little creativity. A down-on-her-luck character with only a dollar left to her name decides to enter it into an online tracker and follows it around the world! It could be called 'Tracking Down George'. What do you think?
Andrea Boyette
Well, I'm working on a couple different projects at the moment so my inspiration has been all over the place. My experiences in Japan inspired at least one of the short stories I plan to include in a collection that I hope to finish by next year. Tattoo art, an old nursery rhyme, and my desire to write a fantasy with an element of humor are some other themes you'll find. That's just a taste of some of the ideas I'm currently working on right now. I hope you will check it out when it's released and let me know what you think!
Andrea Boyette
There is profound beauty in being able to help connect people's hearts. It's easy to feel alone in our modern world but the love of a good story, the shared feelings evoked by a well-written passage, and the satisfaction of a great ending encourage us to come together. As a writer, to be the catalyst for a connection like that? Best thing ever.
Andrea Boyette
I don't? Okay, so I'm joking a little bit, but I find the more I focus on not being able to write the harder it is to write. So I like to distract myself and come back to it. Small distractions seem to work best. The next time I sit down to write my mind is fresh and the block is gone!
Andrea Boyette
Read as much as possible. Not only is it enjoyable, but it exposes you to new vocabulary, style, and structure. You can't read a lot without eventually learning what good writing looks like, and that helps you figure out what works for you and what you need to work on. And finally, love the process of writing for its own sake because it can be hard work and if you don't love it you won't do it.
Andrea Boyette
I think inspiration can be found anywhere if you're looking for it. All I need is a small moment, a snippet of conversation, or a 'what if' and my creativity takes off with it, running gleefully through my mind and ending up in unexpected places. It comes from that spontaneous child-like place inside that rejoices in imagination. I can't think of anything more inspiring than that. The challenge is taking that inspiration and putting it into words, and that is when the real work of writing begins.
Andrea Boyette
I usually have a couple different projects going when I write, so if I get stuck on something it allows me to take a break while still being productive. Currently I'm working on a collection of short stories and a longer full-length fantasy which is a stretch for me. There may be a long road ahead but I'm excited about both and can't wait to share them with my readers!
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