My Secret

Apr6

Friday night, a Creative Writing Major asked me what was my ‘secret’. I like this question because I can respond that if I tell them, then it is no longer a secret. The truth is, it is not secret, and neither do I have any claim to originality. You will find these ideas in a dozen books and blogs.

What is important here is that they work for me. We are all different and live in different life circumstances. But I have three recommendations that I believe could resonate with others:

1) Write every day – writing is like working out. Go to the gym or wherever you work out every day and teach your body to expect it. Likewise, when you write every day, your brain settles into a groove and the process (like those bench presses) become more natural.

It helps me to set goals. I do this monthly and they are typed up and next to my desk. Keep them real and attainable.

What do you do when you finish your first novel? Begin to write your second. Have a glass of wine first to celebrate, by all means, but then get back into it.

Hit the gym and the keyboards every day.

2) Put yourself out there as a writer – if you don’t take yourself seriously, no one else will. Go to a writer’s group, a lecture circuit, conference, workshops, wherever there are writers. Become a member of the community. Start to think, act and behave like a writer (I’ll leave the details to you). Last night, at my non-profit’s annual fundraiser, I put my trilogy in the silent auction. Though I never hide my ‘other’ life, it was surprising how many students and donors came up to me and said: “I never knew…”

3) Learn the Craft – I know I have mentioned these books before, but I read annually. One is Stephen King’s On Writing, and the other is Sometimes The Magic Works by Terry Brooks. I believe that anyone who wants to write should read the former, and anyone who wants to be a fantasy writer (or a mensch) should read the second.

There is more to this point than just reading a How-To. Take an author who you admire and learn their work. Read their books first to enjoy a good story, but then read them again to understand their plot arc, character development, world-building, etc. Analyze what they do well and emulate. I do not mean copy. Take their techniques and blend with your imagination.

You might do well to apply this to how they sell their books. But here I would suggest a word of caution. Do not try to learn marketing from an A-list author. Choose someone who is five years ahead of you and follow them. Don’t come to me if you get a restraining order, I mean follow their online platform and certainly, if they are in town for a book reading or writer’s conference, then go.

A man I have my eye on (and I am referring to his success as an up-and-coming fantasy author) is Daniel Arenson, He has just released a new book – Requiem’s Song – congratulations sir. My youngest has just begun the first Requiem having heard my eldest and myself enthuse about it. He has hardly lifted his head from the book all weekend.

If my ‘secret’ doesn’t work for you, find someone else’s. I won’t be offended, I promise. While we are on the topic: Authors – What is your secret” Please share in the responses or consider a guest post here.

Have a great week everyone.

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Alon Shalev is the author of the 2013 Eric Hoffer YA Book Award winner, At The Walls of Galbrieth, The First Decree, and Ashbar – Wycaan Master Book 3 – all released by Tourmaline Books. Shalev is also the author of three social justice-themed novels including Unwanted Heroes. He swears there is a connection. More at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter). Hang out with Alon on Google+

Best Advice Ever – If You Can Quit…

Mar30

There is a legendary quote that is circulating the twitterverse and bloggersphere from epic fantasy giant, R. A. Salvatore. When asked to offer one piece of advice to aspiring writers, he said:

“If you can quit, you should do so. If you can’t quit, you are a writer.”

I accidentally came across the interview with the quote. The interview is by Brian Stern (thank you, sir) and the first 20 minutes in particular are, in my humble opinion, amazing. Here are the first 12 minutes. Hey, it’s Sunday! Take a break, make yourself a coffee, pour a glass of wine (or both, no one is watching) and give yourself at least 12 minutes for the first third.

Okay, I couldn’t resist. Here is the second 12 minutes.

It is amazing how Bob (may I call you Bob? I feel we’re pretty close after these interviews and having read about eight of your books) just becomes more enthusiastic with his characters as the series progresses. It feels like he truly pours all of himself into each book. What he wrote about his brother is simply stunning.

Something that I find fascinating is how he is challenged to find time to read and make his way through a series. He speaks about how authors influence each other and I think there is something very important here. I do feel that Salvatore, Terry Brooks, and more recently George R.R. Martin have had an influence on me. But I am not sure this is a bad thing.

Why not learn from the masters? Even if you are already a member of the elite fantasy A-list like Salvatore, are we not all trying to constantly improve?

Finally, here is the third and final part of the interview. There is a great part about the author’s interactions with his readers, something I discussed last week.

I know I only asked you for 12 minutes and gave you 36 minutes. I would apologize, but I don’t think actually feel sorry for doing this. Yeah, it’s 36 minutes you will never get back, but just maybe it will help and inspire you. Perhaps you just couldn’t quit!

But then if you cannot quit…read his books. Next time you go into a bookstore (yeah, they still exist), check out his amazing book covers. They are quite simply works of art. Amazing.

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Dealing with Writer’s Block

Mar29

I’ve learned the hard way that when someone tells you that they have writer’s block, the most unhelpful way to respond is:

a) Oh, I’ve never had that.

b) It’s just in your head.

c) There’s no such thing as…

It’s like when your significant other tells you that she has PMS and you respond with any of the above or “It’ll pass,” or “Oh honey, I know how you feel.”

So here are a few suggestions for fantasy writers who are suffering from writer’s block. I am sure they can be applied to other genres with a bit of adaptation.

1) Watch your favorite scene from Lord of the Rings (I would list mine, but you would need the extended version of this blog) or most preferred epic fantasy novel. Not that I want to advocate for movies above books – until such time as Wycaan Masters gets optioned (you can contact me via this blog, Mr. Jackson) – but there is something very vivid and inspiring watching a scene.

2) Archery – it works for me. Noching (yes that is how it is spelt) the arrow, drawing the bow-string, watching the arrow (hopefully) fly to the target – awesome. You can just feel a scene coming on.

Disclaimer: Please shoot responsibly and refrain when the muse takes you.

3) Drive/hike to a vista or beautiful natural landmark. When my family are on the road and see a mountain range, a beautiful river, or wisps of fog hugging the treetops, one of us says: Alaegasia – a tribute to Christopher Paolini’s (Eragon) impressive scene descriptions.

4) Imagine winning the Fantasy Novel Oscar – prepare and rehearse your acceptance speech. It kinda works and you never know when you might need it!. I have done this on the exercise bike and in the bathroom. The acoustics are better from the bathtub when accompanied by a glass of wine.

Caution: should not be practiced out loud with anyone else present – your family and friends already think you are weird, an adult caring about elves and dwarves.

5) Go to library or bookstore and look at the book covers. This can be done on-line when your library has closed due to spending cuts or there is no bookstore still open near you, but there is something powerful holding a book and looking at the cover. I suspect being around shelves of great authors can be either a great kick up the pants or depressing – all these accomplished authors. But if it works for you…

The Magicians – Lev Grossman

6) Ride a horse (or pretend to on a bike). Hold the saddle horn as you twist round to see if you are being followed. Pat the horse, feel the reins and the rhythm of a horse galloping…you get the idea.

Caution: While effective on a stationary exercise bike, I recommend you do not try this at the gym – people might think you have a spider down your shirt or having a fit.

7) Look at your bank account and imagine what you would do with that advance. Perhaps stand in front of a mirror and practice saying: “Yes. I write fantasy full-time.”

But when your significant other tells you that she is premenstrual, a hug, hot chocolate, and you making and clearing up dinner is probably a better route. The writing can wait – anyway you have Writer’s Block.

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Alon Shalev is the author of At The Walls of Galbrieth, Wycaan Master Book 1 and The First Decree, both released by Tourmaline Books. Shalev is also the author of three social justice-themed novels including Unwanted Heroes. He swears there is a connection. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter).

Elfwriter

A Fantasy Author

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