Ask the Author: Elle Bennett
Answered Questions (4)
Elle Bennett
Not very well, ha ha! I have serious writer's block. Months...years, even. Then, it suddenly goes away and the words pour out of me. I've discovered that I just have to wait until it passes.
I'm a little stuck at the moment on a book I've been working on. I think the writer's block is mostly coming from the fact that I'm not sure of the direction the story is going. I know that once I figure that out, the writer's block will unblock and I'll run with it.
I tend also to get a little distracted, so while I'm waiting for the writer's block with the above story to work itself out, I'm playing around with some short writing exercises...just to stay warmed up.
I don't believe in forcing my writing. It's never good when I do. I don't ever want it to feel like writing a book is work. I want it to be fun. And I want to give my very best. So, I just let the writer's blocks come as they may, stay as long as they need to, and then press on when they leave and the coast is free and clear.
I'm a little stuck at the moment on a book I've been working on. I think the writer's block is mostly coming from the fact that I'm not sure of the direction the story is going. I know that once I figure that out, the writer's block will unblock and I'll run with it.
I tend also to get a little distracted, so while I'm waiting for the writer's block with the above story to work itself out, I'm playing around with some short writing exercises...just to stay warmed up.
I don't believe in forcing my writing. It's never good when I do. I don't ever want it to feel like writing a book is work. I want it to be fun. And I want to give my very best. So, I just let the writer's blocks come as they may, stay as long as they need to, and then press on when they leave and the coast is free and clear.
Elle Bennett
Wow! That is a great question. My first response was to think that it's because you can create any character that you want and do with them as you see fit. But, I can't say that's really true. I'm working on a book now where my female character refuses to be anything more than a very naïve twenty-something. I keep wanting her to be more mature, but she's fighting me. I just have to let her be who she is and deal with it.
So, I guess the best thing I like about being a writer is the element of surprise I enjoy as my story takes shape. I get to go along for the ride even though I'm the writer. Also, I love to meet new people in the form of my characters--even though they only live in my imagination, they still have their own distinct personalities and I like them. And finally, I love the way writing makes me feel: Happy!
So, I guess the best thing I like about being a writer is the element of surprise I enjoy as my story takes shape. I get to go along for the ride even though I'm the writer. Also, I love to meet new people in the form of my characters--even though they only live in my imagination, they still have their own distinct personalities and I like them. And finally, I love the way writing makes me feel: Happy!
Elle Bennett
I got the idea for my book "The Price: A Romantic Novel" from a life experience. While most of the story is of course pure fiction, I did live some of it in real life. A lost love was definitely the inspiration behind Josie and Andy's relationship. And I did live in Tucson, AZ for seven years.
I just got to thinking one day that there is always a price to be paid in so many areas of our lives, so I began writing about it. "The Price" was the title of the book from day one, because it just fit.
I never really had a story in the sense that I knew what I was going to write about. It really just wrote itself. And it was fun, because I had no idea what was going to come next (which may explain my huge chunks of writer's block and the reason it took me over seven years to write it). Hopefully my next book(s) will not take that long. :)
I just got to thinking one day that there is always a price to be paid in so many areas of our lives, so I began writing about it. "The Price" was the title of the book from day one, because it just fit.
I never really had a story in the sense that I knew what I was going to write about. It really just wrote itself. And it was fun, because I had no idea what was going to come next (which may explain my huge chunks of writer's block and the reason it took me over seven years to write it). Hopefully my next book(s) will not take that long. :)
Elle Bennett
The best advice I can give for aspiring writers is to never give up. If you have a book in you, let it be written. And don't worry about how long it takes. I spent over seven years writing "The Price: A Romantic Novel." I never even intended to publish it. It was more of a personal therapy session with myself. I never forced the writing, which is why it took years to finish it. I had huge chunks of writer's block.
Also, remember to believe in yourself and your book. It really took a friend of mine publishing her book to finally convince me that my book was worth publishing. I think that's when I finally believed I could do it and made it happen.
So, stick with it and have fun along the way. You'll be happy if you do. (And let me know when it's done so I can read it.)
Also, remember to believe in yourself and your book. It really took a friend of mine publishing her book to finally convince me that my book was worth publishing. I think that's when I finally believed I could do it and made it happen.
So, stick with it and have fun along the way. You'll be happy if you do. (And let me know when it's done so I can read it.)
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