Ask the Author: Pedro P. Enguita
Answered Questions (8)
Pedro P. Enguita
Tayik had been waiting for the death for a long time. Unfortunately, something worse was looking for him.
Pedro P. Enguita
I could answer, but someone would become very angry at me.
So, I've answered with a mystery. Quite ironic, isn't?
So, I've answered with a mystery. Quite ironic, isn't?
Pedro P. Enguita
I wish I had a smart and original answer. But I fear it's not the case. I get inspiration mostly from other works (short stories, films, etc.). A few of them are inspired by a common question "what if...?.
Pedro P. Enguita
1 - READ. Humans learn easily by imitation. I've found people that wanted to write a book without reading. But it's quite unlikely to achieve so. So, read. Read the things you like. Read newspapers. Read the classics. Read masterpieces. Try to figure out what you like and why a book is (or isn't) good. But, above all, read.
2 - WRITE. Some people are touched by a divine hand and write marvelously from the start. But this is a rare thing. Most writers require a long, struggling and painful process for learning the basic skills. Write as much as you can. Most aspiring writers excuse themselves saying they have no time. But there's no need to write 5 hours a day, just a few minutes a day will do it if you keep your way enough time. Remember: the only way to prove if you can write is... write.
3 - DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Of course we all want to sell 1 million books and live in a luxury house with a Ferrari on the main door. But it's very difficult to do so. Probably you'll end with a job to pay the bills and, in your spare time, write. So, write what you like. It's your spare time! Don't waste months (or years) writing something you don't love just because someone has told you that your books aren't sellable. In the end, if don't manage to get your book published (which is, I fear, the most probable thing), you'll find yourself with something that you still love and not the awful "bestsellers copy" that you vomited.
4 - START WITH SHORT STORIES. Most novice authors want to create the masterpiece that will change the lives of their readers. But there's no need to do so. And, with the due respect, it's unlikely that you're the next Patrick Rothfuss, John Kennedy Toole or J. K. Rowling. On the contrary, short stories aren't as demanding, will train you for more compelling works and you'll find quite a lot places to publish them.
5 - BUILD A CURRICULUM. The more impressive your curriculum is, the more likely a publisher will take you seriously. Keep in mind that most works that publishers receive are rubbish, when that's not the case the publisher has no enough time to read them all and even if he/she reads it and finds that your book has merit the next thing he/she will think is if they can make profit with your book. So you have to impress him/her. You have short histories published, remember? Have you won any prize, tell him! Add your relevant credentials (an academic of Ancient History will be fine if your book is abour the Jewish-Roman Wars). A master's degree in creative literature? Have you 10,000 followers on Twitter? Are you a teacher with 300 pupils?
6 - TAKE A COURSE. There's no shame in assisting to a writing course. Some of the most gifted authors have assisted to one. They're specially good if you haven't written anything. There you'll find good advices, make contacts and omit some mistakes. Unfortunately, talent is not given and hard work is only in your hand, not theirs.
7 - IF YOU FAIL, FAIL AGAIN AND FAIL BETTER. No one told you it was going to be easy. Your first book will probably be rubbish. Everyone makes mistakes. You'll do too. The only way to overcome them is grow a spine and try it again.
8 - KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE. They will be the ones who will tell you how amazing your books are. This is the fuel for your ego that you'll need when dark clouds come over the horizon.
9 - KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER. They will be the ones who will tell you the truth. This is the data that you'll have to analize to avoid future mistakes.
10 - ASK MR GOOGLE. The internet is plenty of resources for aspiring writers. There's no excuse for doing some basic mistakes.
2 - WRITE. Some people are touched by a divine hand and write marvelously from the start. But this is a rare thing. Most writers require a long, struggling and painful process for learning the basic skills. Write as much as you can. Most aspiring writers excuse themselves saying they have no time. But there's no need to write 5 hours a day, just a few minutes a day will do it if you keep your way enough time. Remember: the only way to prove if you can write is... write.
3 - DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Of course we all want to sell 1 million books and live in a luxury house with a Ferrari on the main door. But it's very difficult to do so. Probably you'll end with a job to pay the bills and, in your spare time, write. So, write what you like. It's your spare time! Don't waste months (or years) writing something you don't love just because someone has told you that your books aren't sellable. In the end, if don't manage to get your book published (which is, I fear, the most probable thing), you'll find yourself with something that you still love and not the awful "bestsellers copy" that you vomited.
4 - START WITH SHORT STORIES. Most novice authors want to create the masterpiece that will change the lives of their readers. But there's no need to do so. And, with the due respect, it's unlikely that you're the next Patrick Rothfuss, John Kennedy Toole or J. K. Rowling. On the contrary, short stories aren't as demanding, will train you for more compelling works and you'll find quite a lot places to publish them.
5 - BUILD A CURRICULUM. The more impressive your curriculum is, the more likely a publisher will take you seriously. Keep in mind that most works that publishers receive are rubbish, when that's not the case the publisher has no enough time to read them all and even if he/she reads it and finds that your book has merit the next thing he/she will think is if they can make profit with your book. So you have to impress him/her. You have short histories published, remember? Have you won any prize, tell him! Add your relevant credentials (an academic of Ancient History will be fine if your book is abour the Jewish-Roman Wars). A master's degree in creative literature? Have you 10,000 followers on Twitter? Are you a teacher with 300 pupils?
6 - TAKE A COURSE. There's no shame in assisting to a writing course. Some of the most gifted authors have assisted to one. They're specially good if you haven't written anything. There you'll find good advices, make contacts and omit some mistakes. Unfortunately, talent is not given and hard work is only in your hand, not theirs.
7 - IF YOU FAIL, FAIL AGAIN AND FAIL BETTER. No one told you it was going to be easy. Your first book will probably be rubbish. Everyone makes mistakes. You'll do too. The only way to overcome them is grow a spine and try it again.
8 - KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE. They will be the ones who will tell you how amazing your books are. This is the fuel for your ego that you'll need when dark clouds come over the horizon.
9 - KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER. They will be the ones who will tell you the truth. This is the data that you'll have to analize to avoid future mistakes.
10 - ASK MR GOOGLE. The internet is plenty of resources for aspiring writers. There's no excuse for doing some basic mistakes.
Pedro P. Enguita
I seldom have writer's block. But, when it comes and there's no maiden to sacrifice to the muses, the best thing is to skip the problematic page and go to another.
Pedro P. Enguita
Me da un poco de vergüenza decirlo, pero la verdad es que fue a raíz de unos dibujos de divulgación para niños. La serie se llama Érase una vez... los exploradores y en un episodio (Los grandes juncos) explica los viajes de exploración de Zheng He por el sureste asiático y África.
En aquella época (creo que corría el año 2000) desconocía estos viajes. Y yo, que siempre he estado muy orgulloso de mis conocimientos históricos, me tomé como una grave humillación que se me hubieran escapado.
Mientras le daba vueltas surgió una idea ¿y si Zheng He hubiera llegado a Europa? Así nació El espejo vacío.
En aquella época (creo que corría el año 2000) desconocía estos viajes. Y yo, que siempre he estado muy orgulloso de mis conocimientos históricos, me tomé como una grave humillación que se me hubieran escapado.
Mientras le daba vueltas surgió una idea ¿y si Zheng He hubiera llegado a Europa? Así nació El espejo vacío.
Pedro P. Enguita
I'm working on an alternate history where China discovers Europe in the 15th century.
Pedro P. Enguita
The best thing is that there're no limits except those set by you.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more