Ask the Author: Christopher Patterson
Answered Questions (6)
Christopher Patterson
When I first started writing, I thought writer's block was just a myth, like something writers used to make excuses for not producing anything, but no, it's real.
I guess to answer this question, the first thing we have to determine is, how long is your writer's block. I have experienced writer's block that lasted a couple hours to a day. I have experienced writer's block that lasted a week or longer. I think writer's block is the result of working on something and thinking about something so much, that you end up overthinking it. Your brain at some point just shuts off. Its the same with any job. If the writer's block is short lived, like there's just a passage or a chapter or a paragraph I am having trouble with, I'll take a break. There are a couple things that can really help get the creative juices going: listening to music, working out, possibly watching a a show or movie from the genre in which we are writing and, of course, reading. Typically speaking, I do one of those things and then get right back after it.
If my writer's block is longer - and I mean like a week or longer - then there may need a few steps that we need to take to get back on track. The first thing I think we need to do is just take a breath and relax. We need to understand that this happens and thats okay. I think this happens because we are just so sold out or bought into our book, we just can't move forward. We get scared, nervous and anxious. So what do I do? What should you do? One of the things I do when I get a serious case of writer's block is I work on another project. Work on a story or another book you have been thinking about. Then, let a friend read what you have. Talk about what's holding you up. Get suggestions. Be open to suggestions. And lastly, seek professional help (no, not a psychologist). Find an editor that you can pay to take a look at what you have. This doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money. You can pay an editor to do a quick general read through and give you some suggestions.
So, take it for what it is worth, but these are some of the ways I deal with writer's block.
Thanks and HAPPY READING!!!
I guess to answer this question, the first thing we have to determine is, how long is your writer's block. I have experienced writer's block that lasted a couple hours to a day. I have experienced writer's block that lasted a week or longer. I think writer's block is the result of working on something and thinking about something so much, that you end up overthinking it. Your brain at some point just shuts off. Its the same with any job. If the writer's block is short lived, like there's just a passage or a chapter or a paragraph I am having trouble with, I'll take a break. There are a couple things that can really help get the creative juices going: listening to music, working out, possibly watching a a show or movie from the genre in which we are writing and, of course, reading. Typically speaking, I do one of those things and then get right back after it.
If my writer's block is longer - and I mean like a week or longer - then there may need a few steps that we need to take to get back on track. The first thing I think we need to do is just take a breath and relax. We need to understand that this happens and thats okay. I think this happens because we are just so sold out or bought into our book, we just can't move forward. We get scared, nervous and anxious. So what do I do? What should you do? One of the things I do when I get a serious case of writer's block is I work on another project. Work on a story or another book you have been thinking about. Then, let a friend read what you have. Talk about what's holding you up. Get suggestions. Be open to suggestions. And lastly, seek professional help (no, not a psychologist). Find an editor that you can pay to take a look at what you have. This doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money. You can pay an editor to do a quick general read through and give you some suggestions.
So, take it for what it is worth, but these are some of the ways I deal with writer's block.
Thanks and HAPPY READING!!!
Christopher Patterson
The thing that appeals most to me about being a writer is the ability to create something. I was also a musician and even though I loved playing good music, I really enjoyed creating music. There was just something super cool about being the one that made a song that someone enjoyed, and so I take the same enjoyment when it comes to writing. Being the person who has created a plot or a world that enhances someone's life and sparks their imagination is such an honor.
As writers, we all love great stories and want to read great stories, but I want to be the writer of a great story, to have people try to envision what your characters look like and what your world looks like, that is truly cool. And then when someone tells you this is what they saw and experienced as a reader, and its the exact way you envisioned it, that is even cooler.
The other very appealing thing about being a writer is being able to do something that you love doing and having the potential to get paid for it. How many people get to say that they get paid, and at times very well, for doing something they absolutely love. Of course there are ups and downs, but at the end of the day, writing is a passion for a writer and therefore doesn't feel like work at all.
As writers, we all love great stories and want to read great stories, but I want to be the writer of a great story, to have people try to envision what your characters look like and what your world looks like, that is truly cool. And then when someone tells you this is what they saw and experienced as a reader, and its the exact way you envisioned it, that is even cooler.
The other very appealing thing about being a writer is being able to do something that you love doing and having the potential to get paid for it. How many people get to say that they get paid, and at times very well, for doing something they absolutely love. Of course there are ups and downs, but at the end of the day, writing is a passion for a writer and therefore doesn't feel like work at all.
Christopher Patterson
Read, read, read. Firstly, read the genre you want to write. Then, think about genres that could compliment your type of book and read those genres. Also, I would say don't be afraid to listen to books either. A commute to and from work or school can be a great time to listen to a good book.
I think one thing that happens is genre writers get stuck. Fantasy is suppose to look like this, romance like that, and mystery like that. So I think it is very important to cross genre boundaries. Being a fantasy author, I also read a lot of adventure and suspense novels. I feel like these types of books can greatly compliment my writing style and the genre in which I write.
I think one thing that happens is genre writers get stuck. Fantasy is suppose to look like this, romance like that, and mystery like that. So I think it is very important to cross genre boundaries. Being a fantasy author, I also read a lot of adventure and suspense novels. I feel like these types of books can greatly compliment my writing style and the genre in which I write.
Christopher Patterson
As we finish up the third installment of the Shadow's Fire Trilogy, we are now moving on to several different projects. The one that is right in front of me is a Historical Fiction Fantasy set in post-Norman conquest England. I am pretty excited about this project and I think it has a pretty cool premise.
I am also working on a MG/YA urban fantasy story that has been rolling around in my head for some time now. I finally got part of the outline down on paper and will be working on it in conjunction with my historical fantasy novel.
And then, of course, we will continue on with Erik's story in the next series which is tentatively called Dragon Fire.
I am also working on a MG/YA urban fantasy story that has been rolling around in my head for some time now. I finally got part of the outline down on paper and will be working on it in conjunction with my historical fantasy novel.
And then, of course, we will continue on with Erik's story in the next series which is tentatively called Dragon Fire.
Christopher Patterson
I am very inspired by nature. Living in the Arizonan desert, there are a number of dynamic aspects about nature. I also use other authors as motivation and inspiration. If I am feeling uninspired, I'll watch a movie, read a book, or listen to a book from an author I like or respect. Music also helps, depending on what I am getting ready to write, I'll listen to different genres of music.
Christopher Patterson
I was working on another story when I was in college. I had an idea for several story stories centering around the world I had created and thought it would be cool to create some back story for this original idea through these short stories. I started, couldn't stop, and ended up with Shadow's Fire. For a little while I was with a smaller publishing company and through that experience they suggested I break my story into three parts and thus came the Shadow's Fire Trilogy, A Chance Beginning, Dark Winds, and Breaking the Flame (book 3).
About Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
