Ask the Author: Daniel Steeves Connaughton
Answered Questions (6)
Daniel Steeves Connaughton
Reading is the best source of inspiration for me when it comes to writing. I also find that having a set time to write every day makes me think about what I want to write throughout the day, so when I do get to the notebook or computer my mind is already going on what I what to accomplish. Sometimes I'll listen to music that fits the mood of the scene I'm working on to help me get in the right mindset.
Daniel Steeves Connaughton
The basic idea for Keeper of the Bones came to me on the long ride to work one morning. I was going over plot-points for a different manuscript when my mind took a right-hand turn and somehow ended up with this story about a priest who is responsible for telling the stories of the dead. It quickly turned into a mystery where all the key witnesses were already dead.
Daniel Steeves Connaughton
Besides editing a recently completed manuscript (always there is editing!), I just started book one of a trilogy. It will follow the lives of people from three villages at the early stages of civilization as they come into conflict with their beliefs and with each other after the arrival of a self-proclaimed deity.
Daniel Steeves Connaughton
Read every day and read current novels in the genre you are writing in, but not just in that genre. Also, find a writing workshop or critique group with members who write in your genre. Look for one online or at your local library (if they don't have one, ask about starting one). Finding a group that gives helpful and honest feedback is key. In addition to helping others, the process of critiquing other writers' work teaches you how to look closer at your own work too. I've found the people over at the "Online Writing Workshop for SF, Fantasy & Horror" to be an exceptional group.
Daniel Steeves Connaughton
Creating and exploring a new world, with all the new places and new characters who dwell there. And to explore different characters and how they react differently in the same situations. How do they view each other?
With IMORA, it was grand fun to see the world through the eyes of a dragon, taking careful steps not to anthropomorphize her too much, while still keeping her sympathetic and relatable. How does a powerful being perceive tiny humans with short life spans? How does she deal with missing out on a hundred years of history while sleeping and waking into a changed world each time?
With IMORA, it was grand fun to see the world through the eyes of a dragon, taking careful steps not to anthropomorphize her too much, while still keeping her sympathetic and relatable. How does a powerful being perceive tiny humans with short life spans? How does she deal with missing out on a hundred years of history while sleeping and waking into a changed world each time?
Daniel Steeves Connaughton
To escape the frustration stage of writer's block, I’ll remind myself that it's alright to take a day (sometimes two!) off from writing to spend some time catching up on TV shows, enjoy the extra time with family (like playing Legos!), or do some baking.
To get back into the writing mood, I'll go back to something I've already written and just rewrite it on paper. Sometimes it takes only five minutes, sometimes it takes a half hour, but this gets the creativity going again along with helping to get the proper flow back- to get back into the rhythm of the writing.
To get back into the writing mood, I'll go back to something I've already written and just rewrite it on paper. Sometimes it takes only five minutes, sometimes it takes a half hour, but this gets the creativity going again along with helping to get the proper flow back- to get back into the rhythm of the writing.
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