Ask the Author: R.N. Shapiro
Answered Questions (8)
R.N. Shapiro
I will go with the same genre I write in: modern thrillers. I like Mitch and Abby McDeere in The Firm, by John Grisham. Do you think "McDeere" was a subtle play on 'deer in the headlights' as in that Mitch got a fantastic job offer, more dough than he and Abby imagined, and they ultimately come to learn that there was a sinister reason the money was so good. This couple learned they were in over their heads.
R.N. Shapiro
We just mailed the latest contest books out. To verify, please provide me your mailing address. Thanks for your interest.
R.N. Shapiro
Writer's block is a real problem for aspiring writers and it was for me also. Everyone is different and you can have writer's block at different times, like when you reach a pivotal part in your book and you just can't decide the right way to go forward. I didn't have writers block about starting my book though--I had no deadline and worked on the outline for six months to a year before I ever started the first chapter, and then I had the brainstorm to write my last chapter first.
I thought that helped my comfort level--knowing that I already decided how the book would end. Sure, I changed it a lot by the time I got back to it but I had to basics already done.
Some tactics I used to combat writers block were not to always draft chapters the same way--that is I would not type them like the traditional way in every case. I had three different ways I would write:
1-type on my laptop the traditional way;
2-voice dictate them into the notes section on my iPhone using Siri or whatever you would like to call the voice dictation mode, Then I would copy and paste that into the word software I was using for my book;
3-An Internet-based outside stenographic service called speak-write.com which a lawyer friend turned me onto a few years ago and is an awesome service. You email the voice file to them (Using any voice recording software on an iPhone or directly by sending it from their free app which can be downloaded for iPhones or android's).
Of course, whenever I voice dictated any chapters or sections I would have to edit them alot once I got them back from the outside service.
Personally, I found that I could quickly dictate a chapter or section of the chapter by using voice dictation software much faster than by typing some of them. Then, I don't do the serious editing until I have the first draft dictated and back from the outside service.
I hope some of these ideas help.
I thought that helped my comfort level--knowing that I already decided how the book would end. Sure, I changed it a lot by the time I got back to it but I had to basics already done.
Some tactics I used to combat writers block were not to always draft chapters the same way--that is I would not type them like the traditional way in every case. I had three different ways I would write:
1-type on my laptop the traditional way;
2-voice dictate them into the notes section on my iPhone using Siri or whatever you would like to call the voice dictation mode, Then I would copy and paste that into the word software I was using for my book;
3-An Internet-based outside stenographic service called speak-write.com which a lawyer friend turned me onto a few years ago and is an awesome service. You email the voice file to them (Using any voice recording software on an iPhone or directly by sending it from their free app which can be downloaded for iPhones or android's).
Of course, whenever I voice dictated any chapters or sections I would have to edit them alot once I got them back from the outside service.
Personally, I found that I could quickly dictate a chapter or section of the chapter by using voice dictation software much faster than by typing some of them. Then, I don't do the serious editing until I have the first draft dictated and back from the outside service.
I hope some of these ideas help.
R.N. Shapiro
In fiction you can make up whatever you want to happen, and you are only limited by your imagination.
R.N. Shapiro
Make a great outline of chapters, work on the characters and outline who they are and what their relationships are that you intend to develop. Then, you must start writing eventually, but unless you have a real deadline just be diligent and organized.
R.N. Shapiro
The next Amanda Michaels novel which picks up where Taming the Telomeres ends.
R.N. Shapiro
I first wrote a non-fiction book and before it was completed I knew it was not nearly as challenging as writing a fiction thriller. I promised myself I would soon write a thriller.
R.N. Shapiro
No one place or concept. Some ideas on near death experiences I got from a book about the near death experiences of children. Parts about intelligence and covert operations I got from many resources. The parts of the book relating to law and wrongful death arose from various experiences I have as a trial attorney.
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