Ask the Author: Kate Hasbrouck
Answered Questions (5)
Kate Hasbrouck
Writer's block are the two words that every writer understands, and every writer hates.
I have always thought the best way to deal with writer's block is to continue writing! Either go back through your current work and do some editing, reread and get yourself back into the story, or, track down some great writing prompts and write something different for a while. Put yourself in a different situation, and work different muscles in your brain, so to speak. If you're working on a romance, write an intense, mystery scene. If you are trying to write something in the past, try writing something in the present, or future.
And who knows? Maybe whatever you write in the exercise will excite you enough to return to at a later date! :)
I have always thought the best way to deal with writer's block is to continue writing! Either go back through your current work and do some editing, reread and get yourself back into the story, or, track down some great writing prompts and write something different for a while. Put yourself in a different situation, and work different muscles in your brain, so to speak. If you're working on a romance, write an intense, mystery scene. If you are trying to write something in the past, try writing something in the present, or future.
And who knows? Maybe whatever you write in the exercise will excite you enough to return to at a later date! :)
Kate Hasbrouck
This is a fantastic question, and I can confidently answer it.
Yes!
I have been writing ever since I was a little kid. My first ever finished story was about my American girl doll, Kelly, and her pretend older sister. They had a fight and the story was about how they worked through it together. Could have been influenced by a fight my own sister and I had!
I honestly can't remember a time when I wasn't inventing stories. Whether I was telling my mom some elaborate dream I had in excruciating detail, or using every opportunity in school to write a story, I always have loved it. And it never occurred to me that I could make a career out of writing until I was at least in my teen years - I always just loved writing for writing's sake!
Thank you so much, Gabby! That was a great question!! :)
Yes!
I have been writing ever since I was a little kid. My first ever finished story was about my American girl doll, Kelly, and her pretend older sister. They had a fight and the story was about how they worked through it together. Could have been influenced by a fight my own sister and I had!
I honestly can't remember a time when I wasn't inventing stories. Whether I was telling my mom some elaborate dream I had in excruciating detail, or using every opportunity in school to write a story, I always have loved it. And it never occurred to me that I could make a career out of writing until I was at least in my teen years - I always just loved writing for writing's sake!
Thank you so much, Gabby! That was a great question!! :)
Kate Hasbrouck
I am currently writing the second book in the trilogy that Homecoming is a part of it. And I am really enjoying how the story is turning out!
A hint about the next book: there will be a villain!
A hint about the next book: there will be a villain!
Kate Hasbrouck
This is always a fun topic for me!
The best way I get inspired is to sit outside and see a beautiful landscape. Yep, it's that easy! I see a mountain range that is just breath taking, and all it does it get my "writer's brain itching," I call it. Or I see a forest of spectacular trees with the sunlight pouring through the branches just right so everything seems to glow. Or even a vast ocean, with waves rolling and tossing because of a storm.
God's creation really gets my attention, and really gets my creative juices flowing!
Other ways that I really find help me if I am stuck at my desk and can't go out and explore the world is to listen to music. But not music with words - it has to be instrumental music, usually movie soundtracks or piano (that is partially where Eli's love of piano music was born). A great artist is Ludovico Einaudi - a friend introduced me to his music several years ago (thank you Shelly!) and I have been madly in love with the music ever since. I even used a piece of his at my wedding!
And another great way to get inspired is to go to a place where there are a lot of people talking and it wouldn't be hard to overhear some conversations. I tell this to a lot of writers who ask me; don't intrude or eavesdrop, but listen to the general murmur of the groups. You will probably catch a few pieces of dialogue here and there. Write them down. ALWAYS write ideas down. You WILL lose them otherwise (been there and done that too many times!). And pick one that seems interesting and start from there! It doesn't have to turn into a finished manuscript, but it is a good exercise and maybe a good place to start!
The best way I get inspired is to sit outside and see a beautiful landscape. Yep, it's that easy! I see a mountain range that is just breath taking, and all it does it get my "writer's brain itching," I call it. Or I see a forest of spectacular trees with the sunlight pouring through the branches just right so everything seems to glow. Or even a vast ocean, with waves rolling and tossing because of a storm.
God's creation really gets my attention, and really gets my creative juices flowing!
Other ways that I really find help me if I am stuck at my desk and can't go out and explore the world is to listen to music. But not music with words - it has to be instrumental music, usually movie soundtracks or piano (that is partially where Eli's love of piano music was born). A great artist is Ludovico Einaudi - a friend introduced me to his music several years ago (thank you Shelly!) and I have been madly in love with the music ever since. I even used a piece of his at my wedding!
And another great way to get inspired is to go to a place where there are a lot of people talking and it wouldn't be hard to overhear some conversations. I tell this to a lot of writers who ask me; don't intrude or eavesdrop, but listen to the general murmur of the groups. You will probably catch a few pieces of dialogue here and there. Write them down. ALWAYS write ideas down. You WILL lose them otherwise (been there and done that too many times!). And pick one that seems interesting and start from there! It doesn't have to turn into a finished manuscript, but it is a good exercise and maybe a good place to start!
Kate Hasbrouck
I get this question a lot, actually!
My younger sister (who I dedicated Homecoming to) was really into the Twilight series when it first came out. Not because of the vampires or whatever, but because of the love story underneath it all.
And I have always loved writing. So, one day, the thought occurred to me: what if the female was the supernatural being, the one with the "super powers," so to speak? What would that story look like? And so I started out. A character who has super speed, super strength, and can walk through fire. What would it be like?
And after much cleaning up and many late nights, Homecoming was born. And true to the pattern, my sister was the first to read and finish it. Which is super cool to me!
My younger sister (who I dedicated Homecoming to) was really into the Twilight series when it first came out. Not because of the vampires or whatever, but because of the love story underneath it all.
And I have always loved writing. So, one day, the thought occurred to me: what if the female was the supernatural being, the one with the "super powers," so to speak? What would that story look like? And so I started out. A character who has super speed, super strength, and can walk through fire. What would it be like?
And after much cleaning up and many late nights, Homecoming was born. And true to the pattern, my sister was the first to read and finish it. Which is super cool to me!
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