Writers are often asked the same questions by different people in regards to their writing. Here are a few of the most common. If you’re interested in learning something that’s not on here, feel free to send me an email and ask.
Where do you get your stories / ideas?
That one is pretty easy. Everywhere. Literally. Ideas are constantly bombarding my brain. Not all of them are good ideas, mind you, but they’re there. While driving down the road, I may notice two horses racing across a field and wonder what they’re running from… or to? While watching tv, I may not like the way a story is done and ideas pop into my head for alternate story lines. Better get out the laptop! Dreams are a wonderful source of inspiration, and I’ve created many scenes from dreams. I’ve even discovered that it’s easier for me to remember a dream if I remain still after waking up and mull the dream over in my head. The ideas aren’t the hard part, it’s culling the ideas into usable pieces that can prove difficult.
How old were you when you started writing?
I don’t remember. Young, maybe five or six. I do remember the first story I wrote was about how I got my pound puppy, Cocoa.
Who’s your inspiration?
This is always a tough one, because I’m really not sure. Names start zinging in and out of my head. Is there any one person I really think about when I write? Not really. I enjoy a wide range of genres and authors, but there are a few authors that I feel I learn something from every time I read one of their books. I love Mary Higgins Clark’s ability to weave a suspenseful plot, leaving readers on the edge of their seat. I love Stephen King’s ability to twist reality and make it all seem possible. I love Piers Anthony and Terry Brook’s amazing creativity. And I love Connie Mason and Diana Palmer’s ability to write flawed characters, making it easy for readers to be sympathtic to their plight. Each brings a unique set of talents to the table.
Do you base your characters on real people?
No. I don’t. They are purely fictional.
Is Arconia a country or a world?
Arconia is a world. An alternate dimension. A different plane of existance. There are many races inhabiting it, split up into many countries.
Why choose a magic system rather than people having magic like in Bewitched?
To put it simply, because I can. One of the freedoms of fantasy is that the world can be created any way the writer wants. I enjoy magic systems because they give the reader the feeling that magic can be learned by just about everyone. That’s true to a certain point. Some people are always going to have more aptitude than others, just like any talent in life.
