Ask the Author: Millie Thom
Answered Questions (6)
Millie Thom
This is a tricky one for many authors. There are those who maintain that there's no such thing, whilst others vehemently disagree. For me, writer's block arises from my own lack of thorough enough research regarding particular historical events. Naturally, these can be overcome by buckling down to scan my text books or online sites. In other genres, I imagine the same idea could apply - a scene, a chapter, or even just a conversation needs more careful planning. I've no doubt other authors would disagree with my ideas, but I maintain that the imagination/thought processes haven't stopped during 'writer's block'. They're simply waiting for the fresh imput that further research or planning must provide.
Millie Thom
I love to allow my mind to become immersed in characters and events that are quite beyond the everyday norm. When I'm writing, I become a part of the story I'm creating, and since my genre is historical fiction, it's like a journey into the past.
Millie Thom
Im my own case, I wish I'd had the opportunity to start writing a lot earlier in my life. But six children and the need to continue teaching after my husband's car accident made it impossible. To anyone who is in the position to simply 'go for it' I would advise them to do just that. There are also many excellent courses available to help aspiring writers to develop and improve their craft, many of which are online. If you keep on prevaricating, you will never write that first book.
Millie Thom
I am presently writing the last few chapters of 'Pit of Vipers', the second book of my 'Sons of Kings' trilogy. It continues the stories of both Alfred and Eadwulf and ever increasing threat of Danish raids.
Millie Thom
To get my thoughts 'into gear' on the book I'm presently writing, it usually takes little more than a read through the page or two I last wrote. But I frequently get ideas for other novels from places visited or things I read elswhere. Having recently been up (yet again!) to Hadrian's Wall, I have a great urge to write a novel set in that area during the Roman occupation. But that will have to wait until I've completed my 'Sons of Kings' trilogy.
Millie Thom
The idea for 'Shadow of the Raven' started as a tiny seed many years ago when I lived in Wantage, the birthplace of Alfred the Great. Of course the whole story that now unfolds (and is still unfolding as I finish off the last few chapters of Book 2, 'Pit of Vipers') developed much more recently. Eadwulf of Mercia's character arose from my desire to write about the early raids on Mercia during Alfred's childhood.
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