wella
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael! Just read your Age of Myths and was finished in a day. It was spectacular, the last time I read something that felt in the same vein as this book was Anne McCaffrey's Pern series. My question is, as a writer are you an architect or the gardener type?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Wella,
So glad you enjoyed the read! When it comes to writing...I'm a bit a both. You see, before I start writing, I do outline the entire book. But it's kind of like putting up big-top with a number of tent poles. I know where I'll start, where I plan to end, and several key scenes. After doing that, I start fleshing in more of the story and before I start typing page #1, I have at least 3 - 5 bullet points for each chapter. So that's the architect part.
But then...the writing starts and as I write many things happen. Things such as, I stumble across a new character or a minor character types taking a more central role. I also am constantly looking at the story as a whole and challenging myself to take it to a new level. This means I'll deviate from the original outline...but never without knowing where I'm going. So there is always an "outline" but it changes with time. Does that help?
You might want to give The Death of Dulgath a try, the reason I bring it up is it is (a) standalone and (b) has an entire ebook dedicated to how I write. It answers your question above in much more detail, but without the context of reading The Death of Dulgath, it won't make much sense. The companion book (The Making of the Death of Dulgath) is completely free (just send me a message saying you want a copy. But as I said, without reading the novel first, a lot of the stuff in that bonus piece won't make much sense. Thanks again for stopping by and asking a question.
So glad you enjoyed the read! When it comes to writing...I'm a bit a both. You see, before I start writing, I do outline the entire book. But it's kind of like putting up big-top with a number of tent poles. I know where I'll start, where I plan to end, and several key scenes. After doing that, I start fleshing in more of the story and before I start typing page #1, I have at least 3 - 5 bullet points for each chapter. So that's the architect part.
But then...the writing starts and as I write many things happen. Things such as, I stumble across a new character or a minor character types taking a more central role. I also am constantly looking at the story as a whole and challenging myself to take it to a new level. This means I'll deviate from the original outline...but never without knowing where I'm going. So there is always an "outline" but it changes with time. Does that help?
You might want to give The Death of Dulgath a try, the reason I bring it up is it is (a) standalone and (b) has an entire ebook dedicated to how I write. It answers your question above in much more detail, but without the context of reading The Death of Dulgath, it won't make much sense. The companion book (The Making of the Death of Dulgath) is completely free (just send me a message saying you want a copy. But as I said, without reading the novel first, a lot of the stuff in that bonus piece won't make much sense. Thanks again for stopping by and asking a question.
More Answered Questions
Jessica McAulay
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Do you have any updates for book #5 of the Riyria Chronicles?
Stacee
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael!I am doing research for a paper on the worth of an MFA in creative writing and would love your input, if you have time. Do you have an MFA yourself? If so, how do you feel that it helped you. Are there benefits to getting published after earning an MFA? If not, do you feel like you missed anything? How have you developed your writing?Any wise words for others considering a writing path? Thanks! ~Stacee
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