Ask the Author: Timothy Bateson
Answered Questions (9)
Timothy Bateson
Harry Dresden and Karen Murphy are easily one of those couples that go through the toughest times, and come out the other end with their core values intact.
From the very outset there is a chemistry between the two of them that promises the chance of their being so much more than we're seeing. But, as the book series develops and the stakes become higher, there is always a friction between the two of them that seems to keep them from seeing their relationship clearly. And then one major event changes everything, and we get a glimpse of what might be the light at the end of the tunnel for the two of them.
Of course, things aren't going to be easy for them, if they ever do manage to get their act together.
From the very outset there is a chemistry between the two of them that promises the chance of their being so much more than we're seeing. But, as the book series develops and the stakes become higher, there is always a friction between the two of them that seems to keep them from seeing their relationship clearly. And then one major event changes everything, and we get a glimpse of what might be the light at the end of the tunnel for the two of them.
Of course, things aren't going to be easy for them, if they ever do manage to get their act together.
Timothy Bateson
My wife wrote a vampire novel, (currently unpublished), and I found one of her shape-shifters to be a fascinating character. Being a reluctant shifter, who clung to his humanity, I wanted to create one that actually enjoyed his wolf-nature. Giving him a tragic backstory gave me reasons why he didn't live his life as a wolf, but instead retained ties to the human world.
Timothy Bateson
Honestly, most of my inspiration comes from my fascination with mythology, and reading in general. When you surround yourself with creative input, it's not hard to be inspired.
Timothy Bateson
Without reading your particular novel, I'm going to offer the same advice I would to anyone who is writing. Finish your first draft, and then put it aside for a few days, or weeks while you work on something else. Then when you come back to the novel you are coming back to it with a fresh perspective.
When you pick up that novel draft, read it through very carefully, and make notes of what works, doesn't work, or might need to be clearer. Use those notes to make your first comprehensive edit of the manuscript, because if things weren't clear to you, they'll be even less clear to readers.
Invest time in spell checking and grammar checking it carefully. I use https://prowritingaid.com, an online service which searches for common grammar issues, overused words, and a range of other potential problems. I've found their subscriber services to be more than worth the investment.
Then when you've done all that, invest the time to do another complete read-through, and possibly another round of edits before inviting trusted friends and beta readers to look it over. Always try to give your beta readers the best first draft you can, because they will still find things you missed, or want clarifications on things you thought were clearer.
When you pick up that novel draft, read it through very carefully, and make notes of what works, doesn't work, or might need to be clearer. Use those notes to make your first comprehensive edit of the manuscript, because if things weren't clear to you, they'll be even less clear to readers.
Invest time in spell checking and grammar checking it carefully. I use https://prowritingaid.com, an online service which searches for common grammar issues, overused words, and a range of other potential problems. I've found their subscriber services to be more than worth the investment.
Then when you've done all that, invest the time to do another complete read-through, and possibly another round of edits before inviting trusted friends and beta readers to look it over. Always try to give your beta readers the best first draft you can, because they will still find things you missed, or want clarifications on things you thought were clearer.
Timothy Bateson
"The Lupine's Call" is now free to read over on Inkitt.com's "Echo of Another World" competition, being hosted in honor of Terry Pratchett.
I am proud to include this piece as part of the collection of stories being posted there. If you like what you read, please vote for "The Lupine's Call" , and take a look at the other works being posted.
"Richard Parsons is a lupine (werewolf) with a drinking problem, and when he walks out on an argument he finds himself in trouble with more than his girlfriend."
I am proud to include this piece as part of the collection of stories being posted there. If you like what you read, please vote for "The Lupine's Call" , and take a look at the other works being posted.
"Richard Parsons is a lupine (werewolf) with a drinking problem, and when he walks out on an argument he finds himself in trouble with more than his girlfriend."
Timothy Bateson
At the moment, I'm working up an outline for my NaNoWriMo project, which currently has no title. It's going to be my fifth attempt at writing this particular story, but after writing several short stories, I now have a better grasp of the characters involved.
Timothy Bateson
Never be afraid to just sit down and just write. You might end up deleting what you wrote, you will most likely end up editing it, but write.
No matter how bad you think something is, you will always edit it later.
No matter how bad you think something is, you will always edit it later.
Timothy Bateson
I enjoy planning out stories, and working out where events are going to go. Then I start writing, and find the characters surprising me, and showing me a better way to move forward.
Timothy Bateson
I dig through a pile of writing prompts that I've collected over the last couple of years, and then force myself to start writing. That gets the creative juices flowing, even if what I write is most likely going to end up getting deleted.
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