Ask the Author: Ian Barnett
Answered Questions (7)
Ian Barnett
Hi Mark. I guess I'm just a naturally busy guy! I have a busy day job with a lot of responsibility. Hunting, writing and photography are my way of shutting out stress. Like Stephen King, I write something every day, even on holiday (I'm on two weeks leave now and have finished two magazine pieces and 12000 words of Novel Two !!). I used to hunt seven days a week but now restrict that to weekends and the odd evening out. A typical day now is an hours commute to work, a full shift and an hours commute back. Then I'll try for 1000 to 2000 words before dinner (I eat late!). My dream is to earn enough to pay off the mortgage and then write full-time. And I'm getting closer to that dream every time I sit and write another a couple of thousand words. Thanks for the question, sir.
Ian Barnett
About six years ago the spark was ignited when there was talk about a wild big-cat in the Norfolk area, near to my own hunting grounds. I am quite the cynic re such things but I got to thinking "if one could survive, how would it feed, travel and avoid man?"
Ian Barnett
I just love influencing and entertaining with the power of words. Whether my scribblings annoy, motivate, excite, educate or amuse I don't care ... so long as they hit the mark.
Ian Barnett
My second novel and two magazine pieces. The novel is similar to Jaguar! in that it's about the consequence of mismanaging wildlife. I can't give too much away just now!
Ian Barnett
Just sit and write. You can manipulate text, grammar, order of events later. That's why I use Scrivener to draft my longer works. It is a great tool for moving text around before finishing a book. If a scenario comes into your head, get it down on paper before the idea evaporates. I'm a great believer in mind-mapping which is how I capture ideas when on the move and expand them into text later.
Ian Barnett
Everything comes from within you. Your creativity drives the process, not someone else's perception or ideas. I would love to be a full-time writer so that I could structure my days better.
Ian Barnett
I simply change subject. I like to have a couple of magazine projects 'in development' as well my books. Productive time is precious if, like me, you have a day job so it pays to move over to another project and get flowing again.
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