Ask the Author: Joe Beernink
Answered Questions (4)
Joe Beernink
Editing the sequel to Nowhere Wild, and plotting out the next book in the series.
Joe Beernink
It's all about the story. I have stories I want to tell. When the hair stands up on my arms, or I make myself cry as I read one of my scenes, I know that the story is good and true and that is everything to me.
Joe Beernink
It's okay to emulate the writers you know, and the writers you love. Don't plagiarize, but take the scene or story they have, and write it our for yourself, in your own words. This is especially true for younger writers. Figure out what you liked about the style or the story, and get your mind used to working in terms of plot and description and dialogue. It takes lots of practice to get all these mechanics right, but the more you practice, the more second-nature the basics become. Then you can focus on your style and tone and story.
Not all writing may be good writing, but it's all good practice.
Not all writing may be good writing, but it's all good practice.
Joe Beernink
I go for a walk. A long walk. Two to three miles at a minimum. It gives me time to get the clutter out of my head, and allows me to start noticing things: footprints on the sidewalk after someone has walked across wet grass. How long ago did they pass? Are they still nearby? Where were they going? What is their story? Where are my characters going? Are they leaving footprints? Is one foot dragging? Are they injured? Did they leave other sign as they passed? A bent branch? Did they lose something? Can someone follow them?
It's those little details that get me thinking, and that usually drives me into the next scene. I start small, always asking: where are the characters going? What do they see?
By the time I get home, I have something to write.
It's those little details that get me thinking, and that usually drives me into the next scene. I start small, always asking: where are the characters going? What do they see?
By the time I get home, I have something to write.
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