Ask the Author: Justin Hebert
Answered Questions (5)
Justin Hebert
The best advice I can think of for aspiring writers is to learn about the business side of writing as soon as you can. A lot of writers I know live in a little artist bubble and believe that thinking about business somehow spoils the art. But if the goal of art is to move people other than yourself - to communicate some higher truth that is universal - how can you possibly expect to write such stories if you haven't done any research to see what people are reading?
Write stories that you want to read, but recognize that some of the things you write will have significance only to you and that's okay. In addition to writing as much as you can, take some time out to discover how you can identify your target audience - far too many authors are still writing books they think are for "everybody." Try to please everyone, and you'll please no one.
Thinking of your writing as a business helps separate you from your art in a healthy way - and keep you from falling into despair! If a periodical rejects your short story, it may be that your writing needs more work before it's ready for prime time. But it also might simply be that they don't think that particular story would be well-received by their readership. Don't take these things personally. This is a business.
You are greater than what you create.
Write stories that you want to read, but recognize that some of the things you write will have significance only to you and that's okay. In addition to writing as much as you can, take some time out to discover how you can identify your target audience - far too many authors are still writing books they think are for "everybody." Try to please everyone, and you'll please no one.
Thinking of your writing as a business helps separate you from your art in a healthy way - and keep you from falling into despair! If a periodical rejects your short story, it may be that your writing needs more work before it's ready for prime time. But it also might simply be that they don't think that particular story would be well-received by their readership. Don't take these things personally. This is a business.
You are greater than what you create.
Justin Hebert
I read. Mostly books, and mostly books from my preferred genres of Fantasy and Scifi, but also news articles about emerging technology and science articles about finding cures or making discoveries. I also keep several active story files and add or take away from them as I prepare to bring them to life. And I think. A lot. About everything.
Justin Hebert
The sequel to A Test of Honor, of course - The People's Champion. I really don't want to say anything about it just yet, spoilers and all.
Justin Hebert
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Justin Hebert
A couple of ways. The method that works the best is simply writing something else - or do pre-writing for something else. If that doesn't work, I'll take 15 minutes to practice some other creative pursuit, particularly calligraphy. If that fails, I'll take a reading break. Reading really helps when the other avenues seem blocked. And if reading fails, it usually means I'm too exhausted to do anything and just need some sleep.
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