5Qi-2

@Bella_Higgin - 5Qi-2

Q1. What genre are your books?

A. My stories tend to be rooted in the paranormal, horror, and sci-fi side of things, but I may dabble in some contemporary romance in the not-too-distant future.

Q2. What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

A. Give yourself permission to suck! No, seriously. Far too many aspiring authors think they have to start turning out perfect work first time around. But sucking to begin with is perfectly normal. Anyone who expects otherwise is being way too hard on themselves. Writing is a craft and, like any craft, it takes time to learn. No one plays Carnegie Hall after one piano lesson, or participates in the Olympics after training for less than a day, and writing is no different.Oh, and read a lot. Reading is one of the most valuable tools available to any writer, but far too many people overlook it.

Q3. Why do you write?

A. From the moment I could hold a pen, it's all I've ever wanted to do. My earliest stories were scrawled in crayon on pieces of card, complete with barely decipherable illustrations. There are stories burning inside me that I simply have to share. I live and breathe words.

Q4. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

A. Probably the first round of editing. Once I've finished a first draft, I do a read-through of the whole thing and take notes on every issue - from weak dialogue to gaping plot holes. That first read-through can be very intimidating because that's when I come down from the shiny high of finishing a book, and start to comprehend just how much work is still needed to get the book in shape. That, to me, is more overwhelming than the actual writing.

Q5. Where do you get your inspiration?

A. I don't know! For me, ideas are literally everywhere. A single word, phrase, or name can spark something. Very occasionally I get ideas through dreams or from something I've seen on TV. Sometimes a particular place will make me think it would be a great place to set a story. And sometimes characters just barge into my head and demand to be written about.

Bulletin: I'm currently working on Shadows Rising, the sequel to When Darkness Falls, which is currently a Wattpad Featured read.

I was also recently commissioned by Sony Pictures to write a four-part story set in the world of Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave, as part of their promotional campaign for the upcoming film adaptation. The story is called Red Death and is exclusively available on the campaign's Wattpad page 5thWaveMovie.

Book and Author recommendations:

1. Children of the Plague - GregCarrico

2. As They Rise - jenmariewilde

3. Among Us - GeorginaNewcomb

4. Whispers of the Willows - Nian_West

5. Black Out - feefiefauxfic

............................................

#5Qi-2 October 26th, 2015