5Qi-2

@brucerelgin - 5Qi-2

Q1. Where do you get your inspiration?

A. Oh, nothing like starting off with a hard question! I've been thinking about this lately, with the discussions I've had in a class I've been teaching, and I'm actually pretty torn. We've been talking about characters, and how they develop. A lot of people casually throw out phrase about letting their characters talk to them or letting the characters take charge. I understand what they are getting at. It's about seeing what they can find out about their story if they play with character development. But, at the same time, this is like pretending that the writer isn't the one doing the writing...like there's some alternate dimension where your characters live and they are sending you telepathic messages.So, I don't like any approach that discredits the hard work that writers do. We are the ones who create and develop our characters. We are the ones who shape our stories. And the reason this is important is that when we take credit, we also take responsibility for understanding what we are doing. That means we can repeat and improve and make better books in the future.On the other hand, if you read my book Schism, you can see how I think we are part of a much larger system. Heck, I put that theme in Voodootown too. So, maybe there are muses of some sort, but I think they expect us to do the heavy lifting.On a much less metaphysical scale, I think all writers have a corner of their minds that keeps asking, "What if?" We run into the most mundane of things; trash in the street, a box turned the wrong way at the grocery store, a fellow student snoozing in class...and a whole story starts to spring up in our heads.I think the more we keep asking what if, then the more open we become to inspiration.

Q2. How did you come up with titles?

A. Titles are my nemesis. Hardly ever do I get a story idea that comes with a title. I'm working on a new novel (and series) idea right now, and everything is coming together really well...but I can NOT figure out what to name the flipping thing!What I'm forced to do is think about what makes a successful title, how it needs to be short and catchy, then I start brainstorming like crazy. I'll write down dozens of ideas and then variations off of any that seem promising. Then I'll take some top candidates to my wife, who is my primary editor (her nickname is Captain Red Pen) and get her opinion.I wish titles were as much fun as writing. But I don't think I'm going to get that wish any time soon.

Q3. Why do you write?

A. You've probably heard this answer before, but I'd go pretty nuts if I didn't. My family can even notice it. When I get cranky, my wife will first ask if I haven't eaten in a long time or if I haven't been writing.

Lately, I've been teaching a lot and have been working fairly non-stop on the improveyourwriting profile for Wattpad (I'm an ambassador and my biggest goal is to help other wattpaders polish and learn more about how they write), so I've been getting a little bit twitchy. Luckily, I've had a lot of story ideas on the mental back burner and as I've felt that need-to-write pressure grow, one has really popped up. It's a horror-action novel and being able to work on it has helped me keep my cool and not start strangling strangers.

Q4. How did you discover Wattpad?

A. I'd been listening to Scott Sigler's podcasts and interviews. He suggested giving your writing away in order to get more readers. This makes a lot of sense to me. People worry about their work getting swiped, but the real worry a new author should have is not getting noticed at all.So, I did research on the best way to reach a lot of people...Wattpad! It's been a wonderful experience and I've met a lot of great friends here. Plus, the ability to directly interact with readers as they read a story...that's a huge shift for writers. It opens up a lot of possibilities!

5. What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

A. Pretty simple...study the craft and techniques of writing. Whether you are a pantser or a plotter, learn how to do both. Learn as much as you can, so you will have options at hand when you get stuck or run into problems on a story. If anyone is interested, please check out the how-to book on the improveyourwriting profile. There is a lot of information there, with more coming all the time. There's going to be a certificate/badge program for people who complete it and we will be working to promote writers who are stretching their skills.

Book and Author recommendations:

1. The Summoning Stars - by TheOrangutan

2. The Rules of the Red (Re-write) - by letmelivetonight

3. Desert Wake - by Amberkbryant

4. Fear of the Dark - by Godhand

5. The Illuminati Garden Club - by kriskosach

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#5Qi-2 November 4th, 2015