Ask the Author: Neil A. Hogan
Answered Questions (8)
Neil A. Hogan
Hi Robert. Thank you for sending me your story. I guess you found the submissions email address. I hid the address in the submissions guidelines page to make sure writers read everything else first, and also to help reduce the bots and spammers. Sorry that it's a bit difficult to find. I hope to get to reading your story this weekend. Thanks again. All the best. - Neil
Neil A. Hogan
Without provocation or warning, the aliens sprayed a particularly virulent form of wart virus into the upper atmosphere, spreading it via cyclones, hurricanes and thunderstorms, raining it down on the unsuspecting masses. Within days the skin of the entire human race had become riddled with the contagion, white threads spurting out of comatose faces, thick roots shooting from dead feet and hands, and vines of skin snaking through doors and windows and connecting with other human bodies, creating a massive earth-sized nest of interlocked corpses.
Neil A. Hogan
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Neil A. Hogan
Everything inspires me. Conversations, dreams, objects, scientific breakthroughs, experiences and more. I've never been without an idea to write. I have about fifty stories jangling around in my head right now, waiting for me to get back to it!
Neil A. Hogan
I've always been fascinated by time travel, parallel realities, the future, and the invisible worlds around us, so I'm writing a story set in the 28th century involving these ideas. It's currently called The Sirius Influence though I'll decide on a final title when I finish. I plan to submit it to a publishing company so if it is accepted, they may also decide on a different title for it. We'll see. :)
Neil A. Hogan
Keep writing. Aim to write at least 10,000 words a day. Start with a 1000 and go from there. Be prolific! Don't write just one novel in one genre and spend the rest of your life shopping it around trying to sell it. Writers that make money have thousands of books and continue to write until they die. When you're continually producing new and exciting stories, you increase the probability of finding people that like what you write and will read your work. The more you write, the better you get.
Many new writers stop writing after the first criticism. If it is constructive criticism that can help you improve, take it on board. If it is a one line dismissal, don't. There are 7 billion people in the world. Surely there is someone there that will like your story? (And over 500 million of them speak English) Don't let one rejection or one insulting criticism stop you from pursuing your passion. Keep trying. Never give up. Most long term writers have received thousands of rejections, but they keep writing. So, keep writing!
Many new writers stop writing after the first criticism. If it is constructive criticism that can help you improve, take it on board. If it is a one line dismissal, don't. There are 7 billion people in the world. Surely there is someone there that will like your story? (And over 500 million of them speak English) Don't let one rejection or one insulting criticism stop you from pursuing your passion. Keep trying. Never give up. Most long term writers have received thousands of rejections, but they keep writing. So, keep writing!
Neil A. Hogan
Creating worlds. Pouring my imagination onto a page. Discovering ideas that not only expand my characters and my story, but myself as well. Choosing my own work time. If I need an afternoon nap, I'll take one. If I want to write at 4am, I will. Setting my own schedule, being my own boss, doing what I love. Actually, I could write a book on it!
Neil A. Hogan
I've never had writer's block. I might get writer's boredom. I've written characters into a completely boring corner and I'll stare at the page kicking myself, not willing to delete the entire chapter just yet. I'll go for a walk and think about how I could make it better. Eventually, I'll decide that that chapter really needs to be deleted, and then I'm able to take the characters on a better, more interesting and unexpected turn.
If you ever get writer's block, stop writing what you're writing, and write something else. I have about ten different stories on the go at any one time, in a variety of genres, and taking a break and working on another one means I never need to stop writing. If you get writer's block on all the stories you're working on, I'd suggest going for a walk, finding a cafe, wine bar or park where you can sit, relax and watch the world go by. (Or just catch up on your chores!)
If you ever get writer's block, stop writing what you're writing, and write something else. I have about ten different stories on the go at any one time, in a variety of genres, and taking a break and working on another one means I never need to stop writing. If you get writer's block on all the stories you're working on, I'd suggest going for a walk, finding a cafe, wine bar or park where you can sit, relax and watch the world go by. (Or just catch up on your chores!)
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