Ask the Author: Andrew Ahn
Answered Questions (8)
Andrew Ahn
I was going to write "The President tweeted..." But decided that would be over done. So as a nod to the the apocalyptic fires in my area of Northern California:
The fire crept through the house burning his soul. His screams doused his flesh, leaving him conscious of the absolute devastation.
The fire crept through the house burning his soul. His screams doused his flesh, leaving him conscious of the absolute devastation.
Andrew Ahn
This question is soooo very hard. Why? Because I'm finding it hard to be clever, and as a writer this is what should be expected. And there is no way! to choose one world. If you want the straight answer go to the bottom for simple fantasy cliche. But here's a thought:
I believe there are those of us that don't belong here. Here being this place we live on earth. It's not because of family life or abuse or having mental or physical issues though one or all of those could be part of the feelings.
And to deal with this "we don't belong" feeling we only have a few choices. To Check Out, which might be the most selfish way. Or to create either a fantasy (in art, philosophy and, at times, science), or to find other's like you to help create a mini environment within the world (or, usually a combination of both).
So when I travel to a world either by book or by movie, I'm either looking for a way to make our world better that fits me or finding a world that gives me the chance to be heroic or live through a hero's life. So Greg Bear's 'Songs of Earth and Power' (originally a two volume book) fits some of my qualities and I would want to be trained there. The Movie "Knight Riders: does a similar thing for me. And Brian Froud Fairy art makes me want to believe and I would do almost anything to connect to those messengers of nature.
SO there wa me trying to eb clever and here is the answer... in its clicheness:
I Kinda hate to say this but Harry Potter world does this to me. TO live in Hogwarts and be trained as a wizard... And I'm not a big fan of the books finding more fault than fandom.... ANd LOTR which influences everything in my life since my Mother started reading it to me at the age of three...
See I'm not being clever but cliche and I can't help it....
I believe there are those of us that don't belong here. Here being this place we live on earth. It's not because of family life or abuse or having mental or physical issues though one or all of those could be part of the feelings.
And to deal with this "we don't belong" feeling we only have a few choices. To Check Out, which might be the most selfish way. Or to create either a fantasy (in art, philosophy and, at times, science), or to find other's like you to help create a mini environment within the world (or, usually a combination of both).
So when I travel to a world either by book or by movie, I'm either looking for a way to make our world better that fits me or finding a world that gives me the chance to be heroic or live through a hero's life. So Greg Bear's 'Songs of Earth and Power' (originally a two volume book) fits some of my qualities and I would want to be trained there. The Movie "Knight Riders: does a similar thing for me. And Brian Froud Fairy art makes me want to believe and I would do almost anything to connect to those messengers of nature.
SO there wa me trying to eb clever and here is the answer... in its clicheness:
I Kinda hate to say this but Harry Potter world does this to me. TO live in Hogwarts and be trained as a wizard... And I'm not a big fan of the books finding more fault than fandom.... ANd LOTR which influences everything in my life since my Mother started reading it to me at the age of three...
See I'm not being clever but cliche and I can't help it....
Andrew Ahn
This question is easy and yet complex. The answer which everyone is going to say is write... Then to become published get rejected a bunch of times.
The good things about rejection is: Once received its an immediate acknowledgement of your work. An indie writer might be left waiting for acknowledgement from others (outside of friends and family) for a long time. Rejections also are proof of hard work. Rejections increase awareness to editors and publishers, both awareness of you and your awareness of what they want.
When it comes to specifically writing my best advice is: To write past the first sticking point which occurs around the 30,000 word mark; this is where most give up on a project because of lack of interest or writing characters in the all important hole and can't quite figure how to get out. Also as I've gotten older I would recommend outlines.
The good things about rejection is: Once received its an immediate acknowledgement of your work. An indie writer might be left waiting for acknowledgement from others (outside of friends and family) for a long time. Rejections also are proof of hard work. Rejections increase awareness to editors and publishers, both awareness of you and your awareness of what they want.
When it comes to specifically writing my best advice is: To write past the first sticking point which occurs around the 30,000 word mark; this is where most give up on a project because of lack of interest or writing characters in the all important hole and can't quite figure how to get out. Also as I've gotten older I would recommend outlines.
Andrew Ahn
Story. I see the world as story. So it's nice to be able to read a world that I actually (want) to live in or spend time in like any good read. To be able to create such a world is even better for me since that's what I'm doing daily anyhow. "How do I belong in this story today?"
Perhaps that's the other thing about Writer's Block, sometimes you begin a story thread that makes you not want to be in that story you're working on anymore; these moments are necessary in most stories but it's hard to live there for that period of time (like real life).
Perhaps that's the other thing about Writer's Block, sometimes you begin a story thread that makes you not want to be in that story you're working on anymore; these moments are necessary in most stories but it's hard to live there for that period of time (like real life).
Andrew Ahn
Writer's block doesn't exist for me; Consistency and losing focus or interest is a big concern. I will become interested in other idea, character or storylines that may not work on the story I am currently supposed to be working on.
Now I am not saying at times I don't write myself into a corner. This is common and at times it takes a bit to wriggle my way out. To deal with this situation I will write ahead, this will usually lead me to how I will solve my dilemmas.
Also as I get older I do find myself using outlines more. I used to believe that if I couldn't remember a plot device, dialogue, or any number of things, then it wasn't that good or important. Yeah. Age has kinda destroyed that philosophy. So I would recommend writing outlines and character sheets early on even on stories you may never write just to get in practice.
Now I am not saying at times I don't write myself into a corner. This is common and at times it takes a bit to wriggle my way out. To deal with this situation I will write ahead, this will usually lead me to how I will solve my dilemmas.
Also as I get older I do find myself using outlines more. I used to believe that if I couldn't remember a plot device, dialogue, or any number of things, then it wasn't that good or important. Yeah. Age has kinda destroyed that philosophy. So I would recommend writing outlines and character sheets early on even on stories you may never write just to get in practice.
Andrew Ahn
I have so many stories and novel going at all times it makes my head spin. I am working on another Anthony book. Writing a fantasy/post-apocalyptic novel with my wife, and have a few other short story mingling around. Plus some other wyrd Fantasy Novel ideas.
Andrew Ahn
To me stories are everything around me. I'm recreating every action and obsessing over concepts constantly, trying to follow this story thread and that idea. What story is being told by me today? Hard thing is to remember to put it down on paper. Anthony gives me the opportunity to grab a few of those threads and write them (though our ideas and philosophies to vary greatly).
Andrew Ahn
My concept of luck has been with me since prepubescents, a time when I believed in fairies being nature energies, Santa Claus had influence over my parents (in a good way), and magic was as real as looking at Rorschach images. Anthony was inspired by my relationship with one of my best friends. And individual stories were answers to day to day philosophies. Together they brought "A Ghost of a Chance" into fruition.
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