Ask the Author: Ramiah Ariya
Answered Questions (6)
Ramiah Ariya
Currently I am stuck in my second novel after writing 100 pages. I have written two different 40 page segments and thrown them away. Since May 2013, I am stuck, unable to focus on anything, because this book is pending. But, I am not sure this is writer's block. If you can conceive of plots, it is not writer's block.
I had true writer's block, when you are completely not creative, back in 1997. It was bad. A few tips:
- do not talk about writing or being a writer to anyone. It helps only increase the pressure.
- be patient
- try to write speculative stuff - stuff that you tell yourself is just for you, not anyone's eyes.
I had true writer's block, when you are completely not creative, back in 1997. It was bad. A few tips:
- do not talk about writing or being a writer to anyone. It helps only increase the pressure.
- be patient
- try to write speculative stuff - stuff that you tell yourself is just for you, not anyone's eyes.
Ramiah Ariya
I don't think it is any different from other artists or professionals. The less writers talk about being a writer, the better, in my opinion.
Ramiah Ariya
My nephew is 18, and interested in writing. I told him:
- to write what he would love reading
- to not hold back on the thrills; dish them out all through the book. Come from plenty.
- to read more unfamiliar books and plots. Instead of Dan Brown, Lee Child or Michael Connelly, I suggested he seek out Ursula Le Guin or "The Riddle Master" series or even Japanese graphic novels. Seek out translations of commercial writing from around the world. Read weird. Read more sci-fi or fantasy.
- to write what he would love reading
- to not hold back on the thrills; dish them out all through the book. Come from plenty.
- to read more unfamiliar books and plots. Instead of Dan Brown, Lee Child or Michael Connelly, I suggested he seek out Ursula Le Guin or "The Riddle Master" series or even Japanese graphic novels. Seek out translations of commercial writing from around the world. Read weird. Read more sci-fi or fantasy.
Ramiah Ariya
An English novel. It is set in Poompuhar, a historic port in South India, 1500 years back. I finished Part II of the novel first, a 100 pages. Now stuck in Part I, which is getting weirder by the day.
Ramiah Ariya
Music. Indian film music, really. But anything that makes me awed about the musician's creativity. For some reason, Eminem's "Lose yourself" is a great stimulant. I listen to music whenever I am stuck for plot.
Ramiah Ariya
I always wanted to write a funny ghost story. That was the first step. For "The Exorcism of Sathish Kumar, MBA", I then added a corporate angle, because what could be more fun than Very Important Persons discussing sorcery?
The final key was Stuxnet, the computer virus that was used to sabotage the Natanz nuclear plant in Iran.
Usually I wait for a bunch of strange ideas to come together, and then start developing a plot.
The final key was Stuxnet, the computer virus that was used to sabotage the Natanz nuclear plant in Iran.
Usually I wait for a bunch of strange ideas to come together, and then start developing a plot.
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