Ask the Author: Peg Hubbard
Answered Questions (6)
Peg Hubbard
To me, "writer's block" is a tactic our subconscious mind uses to keep us from writing. For whatever reason, we're not fully committed to writing no matter what. In my case, I used writer's block (not consciously at the time) as a way to keep from succeeding as a writer. After all, if I finish this book, and actually publish it, what if no-one likes it or reads it? Once I realized that this was a stalling tactic on my part, I dealt with it easily.
I just sat down and began to write. Anything that came to mind. And if nothing came to mind, I grabbed a favorite book, and began copying it out on paper, until I'd come to a point where I had my own idea of how it should go, and then I'd write a scene for someone else's book. Once the hand and brain started working together, I could easily then get back to writing my own stuff.
Understand, I've thrown away thousands of words that I've written. In fact, with this second novel I'm writing, I got to the halfway point, and felt blocked. I realized that I needed to throw it ALL away except for the name of the main character, and start over. I reset the time of the story, changed the main conflict, and began telling it from a different point of view. Was it painful to throw away 250 pages of text???? Yes! But it was necessary. In that case, the block was telling me that the story wasn't working.
There is always an underlying reason for blocks -- but the best way through them is to write -- anything!
I just sat down and began to write. Anything that came to mind. And if nothing came to mind, I grabbed a favorite book, and began copying it out on paper, until I'd come to a point where I had my own idea of how it should go, and then I'd write a scene for someone else's book. Once the hand and brain started working together, I could easily then get back to writing my own stuff.
Understand, I've thrown away thousands of words that I've written. In fact, with this second novel I'm writing, I got to the halfway point, and felt blocked. I realized that I needed to throw it ALL away except for the name of the main character, and start over. I reset the time of the story, changed the main conflict, and began telling it from a different point of view. Was it painful to throw away 250 pages of text???? Yes! But it was necessary. In that case, the block was telling me that the story wasn't working.
There is always an underlying reason for blocks -- but the best way through them is to write -- anything!
Peg Hubbard
For me, the best thing about being a writer is that I have chosen to take my voice out into the world. I can tell my stories, share my wisdom and have fun doing it my way on my terms. Will I ever be a "Bestselling Author"? I would like to think so, but I don't waste time wishing for it. I write because I love writing, and I publish because I want to share with others.
Peg Hubbard
I was an "aspiring writer" for decades. Because I told myself that I was aspiring -- that's about as far as I got. Last year I dropped the idea of aspiring, of trying to be a writer. I claimed the title, and got busy writing every single day. It was amazing how quickly the first novel got finished, and how much I've written since then! Quit trying to be a writer. Either write, or don't.
Peg Hubbard
I'm currently about half finished with my second novel. This one, which will be titled "Bridging Hope" will be the first in a series of novels about an interesting but elusive woman named Granny Wells, who always seems to show up when help is really needed. She and her dog, Pete, -- well, it's up to the reader to decide. Are they angels? Or are they just really wonderful neighbors who manage to drop in to help at just the right time.
I want my books to reflect stories of hope for the human condition today. This novel is set in 1968, but the messages are just as compelling today -- that in a world of violence and evil, goodness still exists, and people can come back together to help others as well as themselves. I love to write about the sweetness and power of love, the strength and durability of friendships, and open my readers' minds to new possibilities.
I want my books to reflect stories of hope for the human condition today. This novel is set in 1968, but the messages are just as compelling today -- that in a world of violence and evil, goodness still exists, and people can come back together to help others as well as themselves. I love to write about the sweetness and power of love, the strength and durability of friendships, and open my readers' minds to new possibilities.
Peg Hubbard
I don't wait to get inspired. As a writer, I realize that inspiration is only part of the equation, and that if I'm not writing every day, I'm not open to the inspiration!
Peg Hubbard
Keeping and telling secrets is common to everyone. Having lived in a family that tried to keep secrets from each other, it was an easy step to using that as the basis of a novel.
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