Ask the Author: Ian Strang
Answered Questions (6)
Ian Strang
The Grand Scheme Of Things began as my attempt to to explore my fascination with life and death and the universe and how utterly massive it is. I was also writing a few stories about what I learned about religion growing up and trying to fit that logic into the overall story of how lost we all feel in this giant vacuum of space. As I wrote, however, the logic became more and more absurd and I felt that religion didn't necessarily need to be a part of the story. The Supreme Beings, I felt, were just organisms of the universe just the way humans or animals or space aliens were. Then I saw that the story could actually be an alternate beginning to the universe and the Earth and I went in that direction. Zero astrophysicists currently support my alternate beginning theory.
Ian Strang
Writing for me has always been an outlet and a way to channel my anger and frustration. I gravitated towards humor and absurdity because I felt that it was a good way to channel those emotions without actually sounding angry. Unfortunately, these days there is alot to be angry or frustrated about, but by putting a humorous or absurd spin on it it gives me a sense of hope for humanity.
Ian Strang
Right now I'm working on a sequel to The Grand Scheme of Things. It's going to take place 4.5 billion years after the first story. Everything on the Earth has evolved exactly as it should except for one thing, the humans aren't at the top of the food chain.
Ian Strang
To become a better writer, my advice would be the same advice that I've always heard which is to keep writing every day if you can. Reading is equally as important. I am playing catch up on my own reading, but I'm learning that your mindscape expands exponentially when you read.
If you have a goal for your writing, whether it is to become published or to have your screenplay made into a movie or your script to be made into a Broadway play, one of the most important things that you need to know is the value of persistence. Persistence will get you anywhere you want to go. I know it sounds cliché but it happens to be true. Your persistence is a valuable tool that will come in handy in your journey to greatness. The second thing you must know is the value of gratitude. Everything isn't going to go your way and when that happens it is important to be grateful for the opportunity, learn from the experience and move forward. If you possess these two character traits along with your talent there will be nothing that can stop you.
If you have a goal for your writing, whether it is to become published or to have your screenplay made into a movie or your script to be made into a Broadway play, one of the most important things that you need to know is the value of persistence. Persistence will get you anywhere you want to go. I know it sounds cliché but it happens to be true. Your persistence is a valuable tool that will come in handy in your journey to greatness. The second thing you must know is the value of gratitude. Everything isn't going to go your way and when that happens it is important to be grateful for the opportunity, learn from the experience and move forward. If you possess these two character traits along with your talent there will be nothing that can stop you.
Ian Strang
The best thing for me is that I can live in my own little world. I do it anyway in life to some extent, but I think that writing gives it legitimacy, especially when my wife catches me talking to myself. I simply explain that I'm working out some character dialogue and not reliving an argument that I had with some kid in junior high.
Ian Strang
I usually go for a run or walk away for a little bit. I try and do something to take my mind off of it. A have a giant book of Soduku puzzles that sometimes helps but I usually end up watching COPS which, for some reason, is always on. I know that this is something everyone experiences and can be extremely frustrating. I've learned, however, that as bad as it can get it always comes back somehow. I suspect there may be magic involved.
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