Ask the Author: M.G. Nelson
Answered Questions (7)
M.G. Nelson
Write and at the same time study the business side to writing. If your goal is to make your living as a writer expect to spend years honing your writing and marketing it when finished.
M.G. Nelson
I am currently working on the second book in The Telling Mirror series (to eventually be a trilogy.)
M.G. Nelson
One of the best things about being a writer is the process of creating the work. I enjoy crafting every aspect of my writing be it nonfiction or fiction. Coming up with the central story line, side plots, characters and watching it all come together is such a wonderful feeling. I absolute love the creative aspect of writing!
M.G. Nelson
For me, my best ideas come when I'm in motion. This can mean driving my vehicle, while on an airplane flight or taking a long walk. Similarly, if I experience writer's block I don't try to force myself to plop any old thing down on the screen; I get up and move. I'll do chores around the house or farm, take the dog's for a stroll, or take a short hike. Within a bit I overcome the writer's block. I haven't experienced any major writer's block that has stopped me from writing for any sizable amount of time; unless you count time constrictions but that's not what is usually considered to be writer's block.
M.G. Nelson
Hi Jason. Fantastic question. I’d say spiritual—the fact that I’m even saying this as my answer might scare people off. As you know, spiritual matters in “polite company” are somewhat taboo. However, I feel most, if not all people, have some component of the spiritual in their fabric of their being. I’m no exception so it does occupy some of my thoughts quite frequently. I’m cognizant of the fact that the spiritual can be a touchy subject and I don’t want to alienate my readers so it is a hard topic to tackle in my books.
The roadblock the persistently keeps me from going deeper into this issue is although I have my own closely held religious beliefs I’m aware that for many people it’s a no-go subject. In a work of fiction as it’s not what they necessarily signed up for when they picked up the book to read. I do try to touch upon it to make my characters well-rounded but hold back a bit so I censor my desire to delve into the topic. I’m hoping as I continue to write and mature as a writer I’ll be able to find a good balance.
Thanks for your great question!
The roadblock the persistently keeps me from going deeper into this issue is although I have my own closely held religious beliefs I’m aware that for many people it’s a no-go subject. In a work of fiction as it’s not what they necessarily signed up for when they picked up the book to read. I do try to touch upon it to make my characters well-rounded but hold back a bit so I censor my desire to delve into the topic. I’m hoping as I continue to write and mature as a writer I’ll be able to find a good balance.
Thanks for your great question!
M.G. Nelson
I don't necessarily wait for inspiration as I've found I might be waiting for a long time for it to hit! Instead, I try to set a (semi-loose) schedule to write something each day for a few hours to keep the grey matter active. If I'm really stale, I will change my scenery--going on a brief get away stimulates the imagination for me plus many times gives me a setting, scene or a new character to use.
M.G. Nelson
The idea for The Telling Mirror evolved during a somewhat dull job I had leaving me plenty of time to dream up the characters and plot. I've been a fan of Norse sagas, and during the development phase I took a trip to Iceland-a stark beauty of a country. Those elements are loosely interwoven in the background of the story line.
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