Ask the Author: Lisa Stanbridge
Answered Questions (7)
Lisa Stanbridge
Well considering I live in Australia, we've just come out of summer. So I'll give you my winter reading list. Mind you, these will be romance or chic lit books because they're my favourite.
- Shopaholic to the Rescue - Sophie Kinsella
- Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel - Jane Costello
Why two you ask? Because I'm working and don't get a lot of time to read. But that's my list but it will grow. :)
- Shopaholic to the Rescue - Sophie Kinsella
- Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel - Jane Costello
Why two you ask? Because I'm working and don't get a lot of time to read. But that's my list but it will grow. :)
Lisa Stanbridge
This is a question I always find hard to answer because I don't have any one thing that inspires me.
For me, inspiration comes to me at weird times. I could be on the toilet, in the shower, at work, on the bus home...just to name a few. Because of this, I always have a notebook handy so I can jot down my ideas.
For me, inspiration comes to me at weird times. I could be on the toilet, in the shower, at work, on the bus home...just to name a few. Because of this, I always have a notebook handy so I can jot down my ideas.
Lisa Stanbridge
I'm working on a novel about woman named Claire who escapes an abusive relationship. After her husband is jailed, she takes up a job as a live-in nurse for a dying woman. Unfortunately, the woman's son also lives there as he assists with the caring. Claire has to learn how to be around a man again but along the way she also learns to trust him.
It's hard to say much without giving too much of it away. That's a very brief summary but there's a lot more to it than that.
It's hard to say much without giving too much of it away. That's a very brief summary but there's a lot more to it than that.
Lisa Stanbridge
Don't give up. Writing is hard, trust me. You're going to have ideas and you won't know where to take them. Or you'll have the other extreme where you'll have so many ideas you won't know where to start.
If either of these things happen, don't freak out, don't feel overwhelmed and don't give up.
If you have an idea but don't know where to take it, that's fine. Jot the idea down for safe keeping and keep adding to it as you get new ideas. In time you'll have enough to start.
If you have too many ideas, do a similar process to above. Jot all the ideas down then choose the one that really appeals to you and work on that first. Whatever you do, don't do what I fail at. Don't have more than one story on the go at once. I quite often have 3 or more on the go and it can get quite daunting.
Also, one thing that is vital is constructive criticism. Let people criticise your work because they know what works and what doesn't work. And whatever you do, do not take it personally. They're trying to help, they're trying to help you become a better writer. Trust me, it'll hurt when you receive criticism but view it in a positive light. By taking on board the suggestions, you're only going to get better/. And just imagine the thrill of someone saying 'this is a brilliant story!'
Some people don't understand the importance of criticism but please, don't get all huffy and say 'I hate being criticised' because you'll never get anywhere.
While criticism is important, please don't let people be rude. There is a vast difference between being rude and offering constructive criticism. If someone says 'this is crap, you're a hopeless writer' you don't have to accept that. But if someone says 'you have talent but this needs to change or that needs to change', take it on board. Learn to see the difference.
If either of these things happen, don't freak out, don't feel overwhelmed and don't give up.
If you have an idea but don't know where to take it, that's fine. Jot the idea down for safe keeping and keep adding to it as you get new ideas. In time you'll have enough to start.
If you have too many ideas, do a similar process to above. Jot all the ideas down then choose the one that really appeals to you and work on that first. Whatever you do, don't do what I fail at. Don't have more than one story on the go at once. I quite often have 3 or more on the go and it can get quite daunting.
Also, one thing that is vital is constructive criticism. Let people criticise your work because they know what works and what doesn't work. And whatever you do, do not take it personally. They're trying to help, they're trying to help you become a better writer. Trust me, it'll hurt when you receive criticism but view it in a positive light. By taking on board the suggestions, you're only going to get better/. And just imagine the thrill of someone saying 'this is a brilliant story!'
Some people don't understand the importance of criticism but please, don't get all huffy and say 'I hate being criticised' because you'll never get anywhere.
While criticism is important, please don't let people be rude. There is a vast difference between being rude and offering constructive criticism. If someone says 'this is crap, you're a hopeless writer' you don't have to accept that. But if someone says 'you have talent but this needs to change or that needs to change', take it on board. Learn to see the difference.
Lisa Stanbridge
The escape. Like reading, when you write you escape into a world away from reality for a while. The best part is it's a world you've created. When you escape to it, you can see for yourself how realistic it is and it also helps you create it better.
The other thing that's great about being a writer is being able to express yourself in words. So many people express themselves by means of music, singing, painting...just to name a few but me, and many others, we express ourselves in writing. It's very therapeutic. If you've had a rough life, write about it. It doesn't have to be an autobiography about your life. You can create a fictional character but base it on your life. I've done that a lot.
The other thing that's great about being a writer is being able to express yourself in words. So many people express themselves by means of music, singing, painting...just to name a few but me, and many others, we express ourselves in writing. It's very therapeutic. If you've had a rough life, write about it. It doesn't have to be an autobiography about your life. You can create a fictional character but base it on your life. I've done that a lot.
Lisa Stanbridge
Writer's block is something I've dealt with quite a bit. It's not always easy to handle and everyone deals with it differently.
For me I like to step away from my writing for a while. Sometimes it's a day or two, other times it can be a week or more where I don't even touch it. I just know I need a break so I take it. This is only for really major blocks though.
If I'm just a little stuck on a scene, I'll move onto the next scene and come back to it later. The ideas will flow then.
Or, the one I love most, is to go for a walk down the beach. My inspiration always comes alive when I do that. If you don't have a beach, just go for a walk anywhere. You'll be amazed how many ideas you get.
For me I like to step away from my writing for a while. Sometimes it's a day or two, other times it can be a week or more where I don't even touch it. I just know I need a break so I take it. This is only for really major blocks though.
If I'm just a little stuck on a scene, I'll move onto the next scene and come back to it later. The ideas will flow then.
Or, the one I love most, is to go for a walk down the beach. My inspiration always comes alive when I do that. If you don't have a beach, just go for a walk anywhere. You'll be amazed how many ideas you get.
Lisa Stanbridge
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