Ask the Author: Kate Corcino
Answered Questions (4)
Kate Corcino
The best thing about being a writer? When people read my stories and fall in love with my imaginary friends.
I had a discussion with a beta reader where I was outlining something that was going to happen with Alex (my male main character in Spark Rising) in Direct Current.
"Oh, no," she told me. "My Alex would never do that."
I didn't know whether to be outraged or giggle with delight. Knowing that someone else was as committed to my characters as I am was (is) an amazing feeling.
(And she was right, by the way. Alex would never do that. The outline was adjusted.)
I had a discussion with a beta reader where I was outlining something that was going to happen with Alex (my male main character in Spark Rising) in Direct Current.
"Oh, no," she told me. "My Alex would never do that."
I didn't know whether to be outraged or giggle with delight. Knowing that someone else was as committed to my characters as I am was (is) an amazing feeling.
(And she was right, by the way. Alex would never do that. The outline was adjusted.)
Kate Corcino
Don't quit. Don't quit writing. Don't quit believing in the dream. Don't quit making yourself sit down to engage in the physical act of writing. Don't quit on your manuscripts before they're finished.
Those last two were my downfall. I had drawers full of unfinished stories because I'd give up on them and on forcing myself to do the long-haul work. For Spark Rising, I wrote a note to myself and posted it on the refrigerator (my favorite "escape" point): "Hey! You! All the talent in the world won't write your freaking book! Grow up, sit your ass back down, and TELL THE DAMN STORY!"
I guess being a hard-ass to myself worked. The novel was finished in three and a half months, and came in at nearly 150k words (since reduced in editing).
Amusing side story: An acquaintance came over and thought my husband had written the note! When she hesitantly suggested that he was a little demanding, I roared with laughter. My husband is a big, scary-looking, six-foot tall, four-foot wide, bald, goateed, tatted, leather-wearing, Harley-riding TEDDY BEAR. He cries at commercials featuring babies, animals or true love. I'm the mean one....
Which leads to my second bit of advice for aspiring writers: find someone who believes in you and TREASURE them. There are many, many days when you will not believe in yourself. It's important to have someone around who can jumpstart your self-esteem on the days when you really need it.
Those last two were my downfall. I had drawers full of unfinished stories because I'd give up on them and on forcing myself to do the long-haul work. For Spark Rising, I wrote a note to myself and posted it on the refrigerator (my favorite "escape" point): "Hey! You! All the talent in the world won't write your freaking book! Grow up, sit your ass back down, and TELL THE DAMN STORY!"
I guess being a hard-ass to myself worked. The novel was finished in three and a half months, and came in at nearly 150k words (since reduced in editing).
Amusing side story: An acquaintance came over and thought my husband had written the note! When she hesitantly suggested that he was a little demanding, I roared with laughter. My husband is a big, scary-looking, six-foot tall, four-foot wide, bald, goateed, tatted, leather-wearing, Harley-riding TEDDY BEAR. He cries at commercials featuring babies, animals or true love. I'm the mean one....
Which leads to my second bit of advice for aspiring writers: find someone who believes in you and TREASURE them. There are many, many days when you will not believe in yourself. It's important to have someone around who can jumpstart your self-esteem on the days when you really need it.
Kate Corcino
I try not to focus on the fact that the words aren't flowing. If I can feel them hovering right there, just out of mental reach, I'll go for a drive and run through a playlist or put the radio on a random station. Some of my best scenes are the result of musical/driving breakthroughs. I think it's the combination of focusing on something else and the music that allows the creative part of the brain to just relax.
If it's longer term -- more than a few hours -- I pick up a good book. I generally choose old standby's, such as classic sci fi or urban fantasy. There are certain authors that always inspire me to write again.
So I suppose the way I deal with writer's blockage is to lose myself in the creative work of others, whether music or books.
If it's longer term -- more than a few hours -- I pick up a good book. I generally choose old standby's, such as classic sci fi or urban fantasy. There are certain authors that always inspire me to write again.
So I suppose the way I deal with writer's blockage is to lose myself in the creative work of others, whether music or books.
Kate Corcino
I am currently working on the final edits for Ignition Point, an anthology of short stories due out in September.
I'm also working on Direct Current, the sequel to Spark Rising, my first full-length novel that is due in November. It's so much fun to spend time with these characters, even if they're demanding and headstrong!
I'm also working on Direct Current, the sequel to Spark Rising, my first full-length novel that is due in November. It's so much fun to spend time with these characters, even if they're demanding and headstrong!
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