Ask the Author: Gary Mill
Answered Questions (6)
Gary Mill
My background is in history, and I worked as a tour guide in my home town of Edinburgh, so I thought it would be fun to write a contemporary tale with a historical perspective. I also wanted to write a story which was interlaced with jet-black humour (I'm a great fan of Martin McDonagh and 'In Bruges' is one of my all-time favourite films) so 'Blackfriar' seemed to be the ideal project. I had a lot of fun writing this cheeky neo-gothic tale!
Gary Mill
I keep a list of potential story ideas drawn from all sorts of sources, so once I have an idea for a story which I think could work I just go for it. The initial inspiration to write is probably just a need for me to keep busy and productive. But once I launch myself into the new project, the momentum of the creative process seems to become self-propelling. That's when the 'parallel world' of the story starts to inhabit my day-to-day existence: I go for a run, I think of some juicy dialogue; I go for a walk with my wife, I think of a nasty end for one of my characters (no offence, Christine); I go to bed, I lie awake revising a particularly challenging plot-twist.
In essence, therefore, it's the need to tell a (hopefully) riveting and unique story that becomes the ultimate inspiration for me to keep on writing.
In essence, therefore, it's the need to tell a (hopefully) riveting and unique story that becomes the ultimate inspiration for me to keep on writing.
Gary Mill
I'm currently working on a series of at least three mystery/thriller stories featuring the same central character. I have already written the film scripts for these tales and am adapting them into a novel format. The first two stories (contained within one book) have the target publication date of Spring 2015.
Gary Mill
Just do it. Write. And then get some tips on how to do it better (Internet, books, classes, writing groups, etc, etc) and keep on writing - every day, if possible. And read. Always keep reading. See how fellow writers express themselves in words: how they construct sentences, plot their stories, develop their characters, create believable dialogue, and add pace, tension and atmosphere to their work. And if you need to, read up about your subject matter so you can write with authority. Never stint in your research, it will pay dividends for both you and your audience.
Finally. Have fun! You have to want to do it - and you have to put in the hours - BUT YOU MUST HAVE FUN!
Finally. Have fun! You have to want to do it - and you have to put in the hours - BUT YOU MUST HAVE FUN!
Gary Mill
It's fun and it's satisfying, and the thought that a complete stranger may (and, I stress, may) enjoy reading something that I have written is a real buzz. Ultimately, for me, writing is about communicating with my fellow human beings. All of us, in our own ways, want to be heard, so I regard the process of writing as a fairly basic (and, indeed, compelling) need.
And did I say it was fun?
And did I say it was fun?
Gary Mill
I think the American author and cartoonist, James Thurber, hit the nail on the head when he gave his famous piece of advice - "Don't get it right, get it written."
Basically, I place any tendency for procrastination to one side and just write. Even if I feel blocked, I'm confident the words will come; they might not be the specific words I want, but I have faith that they will come; and, at the end of the day, that's important, because words are the essential tools for all writers - without them the page will remain forever blank.
So just do it and see what happens. You have absolutely nothing to lose and you may (and probably will) surprise yourself.
Basically, I place any tendency for procrastination to one side and just write. Even if I feel blocked, I'm confident the words will come; they might not be the specific words I want, but I have faith that they will come; and, at the end of the day, that's important, because words are the essential tools for all writers - without them the page will remain forever blank.
So just do it and see what happens. You have absolutely nothing to lose and you may (and probably will) surprise yourself.
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