Ask the Author: Elle Daniels
Answered Questions (2)
Elle Daniels
I often hear authors, and people in general, telling aspiring writers to just write. I can't tell you how often I heard that when I was in high school or from my college professors. And I have a confession...
I couldn't stand it!
I'm a highly analytical person. I can't just sit down and write. It drives me crazy to stare at a blank word document with out some sort of idea tickling the good old brain, begging to be written.
So I'm going to change that advice to something I wish someone had told me: Embrace your arrogance.
Weird, right? Let me explain. Go read a book, ask yourself what you would have done differently, and re-write the book. I liken it to fan-fiction.
That's what got me writing. I couldn't stand how a book series ended, so I broke out my pen and re-wrote the story to how I wanted it to end.
As a writer, I really feel there is this sense of "I can do it better". So instead of pretending that feeling isn't there, embrace it. Twist an author's ideas to suit your own, change a character to how you would have wanted them to turn out. More often than not, by the time you're done editing and putting your own personality into the mix, you'll have a book that's your own. And if you don't, start again. It's good practice and gets you involved in the process of story telling.
Yes, publishers and readers want something that's new, original, different. And that will come. Don't put that kind of pressure on yourself. I did and it froze me up for almost a month.
So embrace that arrogance (in your head, not personality, please!) and see where it takes you.
I couldn't stand it!
I'm a highly analytical person. I can't just sit down and write. It drives me crazy to stare at a blank word document with out some sort of idea tickling the good old brain, begging to be written.
So I'm going to change that advice to something I wish someone had told me: Embrace your arrogance.
Weird, right? Let me explain. Go read a book, ask yourself what you would have done differently, and re-write the book. I liken it to fan-fiction.
That's what got me writing. I couldn't stand how a book series ended, so I broke out my pen and re-wrote the story to how I wanted it to end.
As a writer, I really feel there is this sense of "I can do it better". So instead of pretending that feeling isn't there, embrace it. Twist an author's ideas to suit your own, change a character to how you would have wanted them to turn out. More often than not, by the time you're done editing and putting your own personality into the mix, you'll have a book that's your own. And if you don't, start again. It's good practice and gets you involved in the process of story telling.
Yes, publishers and readers want something that's new, original, different. And that will come. Don't put that kind of pressure on yourself. I did and it froze me up for almost a month.
So embrace that arrogance (in your head, not personality, please!) and see where it takes you.
Elle Daniels
I have two answers to this.
First, the fans. I love meeting you guys and hearing all about you! I write for you--so you can enjoy a good book, so you can laugh out loud, and maybe shed a tear or two along with my characters. I want to understand you and support you in your endeavors just as you support my own.
The sense of community is, also, truly incredible. Everyone is so supportive and welcoming in the romance genre. People really want you to succeed. I often joke that I'm in a room with hundreds of my mother. They mentor you, encourage you when you falter, and cheer when you triumph. I could not be more fortunate to be part of that.
First, the fans. I love meeting you guys and hearing all about you! I write for you--so you can enjoy a good book, so you can laugh out loud, and maybe shed a tear or two along with my characters. I want to understand you and support you in your endeavors just as you support my own.
The sense of community is, also, truly incredible. Everyone is so supportive and welcoming in the romance genre. People really want you to succeed. I often joke that I'm in a room with hundreds of my mother. They mentor you, encourage you when you falter, and cheer when you triumph. I could not be more fortunate to be part of that.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Jan 18, 2015 01:54PM · flag