Ask the Author: Jayelle Cochran
Answered Questions (6)
Jayelle Cochran
Writing has always been a way for me to cope with...well...anything really. It helps with depression, pain, anxiety...everything but insomnia. lol When I'm really on a roll, with my fingers dancing on the keyboard at about 90 words per minute, I feel a certain high (endorphins anyone?). I think that's why I refer to such times as a "writing bender". On those days I will type approximately 1,000 words per hour, sometimes over the course of 12 hours (with breaks for meals). With Tara's Escape I had an entire month where I was on a roll and wrote 80,000 words. For me, that's unheard of. But, I get sucked into my own story and it's difficult to pull myself away. I always want to see how it will end.
So, I guess it's the story and the characters that inspires me to write. I always want to see what will happen next. :)
So, I guess it's the story and the characters that inspires me to write. I always want to see what will happen next. :)
Jayelle Cochran
I really can't say. I don't write with an outline. I start off with a basic idea of the main character. While working on her background or getting a feel for her personality, I begin to have a sense of what the plot will be. Eventually I'll get the opening line for the novel in my head with an urge to write. That's when I know I'm ready to begin the novel.
Here's the fun thing....I usually have no idea what the main plot is until I'm near the end. :)
In the novel I'm writing now, the main character is a paranormal spy. When I began to write, I had no idea what was going to happen. I only knew that the spy would eventually meet the main characters from the first novel. Now I'm on the Epilogue and have been working on editing. Now I know what Tara's Escape is all about.
Here's the fun thing....I usually have no idea what the main plot is until I'm near the end. :)
In the novel I'm writing now, the main character is a paranormal spy. When I began to write, I had no idea what was going to happen. I only knew that the spy would eventually meet the main characters from the first novel. Now I'm on the Epilogue and have been working on editing. Now I know what Tara's Escape is all about.
Jayelle Cochran
Right now I'm working on the sequel to Sadie's War. This story is written from the perspective of a paranormal spy that works for the underground movement. Her story tells you much about what is going on in the world and how the organization she works for is run. You also see a new side to Sal and Michael. Honestly, I can't wait for this book to reach the virtual bookshelves!
Jayelle Cochran
Be persistent and accept criticism with grace. If you find yourself explaining to people why this or that is in your novel then you just found something in your story that needs work. After all, you can't sit next to everyone who reads your book so you can clarify something. That clarity should already be there.
Also, don't be afraid to hire someone to work on the editing and the cover. Unless you're an artist, I suggest leaving the cover to a pro. And even if you know how to edit well, you should still hire someone to edit for you. A polished book will be more welcome than one that reads like a rough draft.
As for persistence...if you give up easily then this career is not for you. You need to be persistent in every aspect of your writing. If you want to go through an agent, then don't let it get to you when they don't bite on the first try. You need to keep at it. You also need to keep up with your writing. An author who only writes one novel is often ignored by readers. If you want to be an independent author, then you really need persistence.
Remember, if this is what you want then go for it with everything you have. You don't need to be a full time writer (it takes a while before any author begins to see real revenue from their books and new authors still need to pay the bills).
Also, don't be afraid to hire someone to work on the editing and the cover. Unless you're an artist, I suggest leaving the cover to a pro. And even if you know how to edit well, you should still hire someone to edit for you. A polished book will be more welcome than one that reads like a rough draft.
As for persistence...if you give up easily then this career is not for you. You need to be persistent in every aspect of your writing. If you want to go through an agent, then don't let it get to you when they don't bite on the first try. You need to keep at it. You also need to keep up with your writing. An author who only writes one novel is often ignored by readers. If you want to be an independent author, then you really need persistence.
Remember, if this is what you want then go for it with everything you have. You don't need to be a full time writer (it takes a while before any author begins to see real revenue from their books and new authors still need to pay the bills).
Jayelle Cochran
I'm a full time writer and there is so much that I love about this career. I think what gets me the most is when someone tells me how much they loved reading my novel. It gives me this glowing tingly feeling deep in my gut that causes a giant grin to spread across my face (plus some minor blushing). Next to that, the best thing about being an Indie author is that I get to decide when my deadlines will be, how much work I do on any given day, and the joy of getting these stories out of my head. lol
Jayelle Cochran
Whenever I have writer's block the last thing I do is try to force myself to write. Instead I focus on other aspects of my career. I do some social networking, work on promotions, artwork (including character art), blogging and vlogging, etc. There is way more to being an indie author than writing. Usually I wind up taking a month off from writing and then go back to it when I feel that familiar urge that I get when my mind is ready for me to tell a story.
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