Ask the Author: Matt Nagin
Answered Questions (10)
Matt Nagin
Twitter. Goodreads. Outside of those I'm not sure. I guess
writing for Quora, in theory, might help.
writing for Quora, in theory, might help.
Matt Nagin
I just do it every day. No particular inspiration. I
just start writing and see where it leads...
just start writing and see where it leads...
Matt Nagin
The wind whips against his face as the blade roams. His entrails spill out,
his dreams spill out; but he goes on believing in God as if that could help.
his dreams spill out; but he goes on believing in God as if that could help.
Matt Nagin
I wouldn't mind living on a deserted island like in Robinson Crusoe. I'm sure it's much more difficult to survive than it seems at a great distance. But there is something romantic about being stranded and totally
out on your own among the elements. Certainly, it is a whole other way of being in the world than I experience now--living in NYC. I think I am the type that could be perfectly content without human interaction.
I don't know...I guess I'm a bit of a misanthrope.
out on your own among the elements. Certainly, it is a whole other way of being in the world than I experience now--living in NYC. I think I am the type that could be perfectly content without human interaction.
I don't know...I guess I'm a bit of a misanthrope.
Matt Nagin
You get to know yourself better and become more fully acquainted with worlds inside of you. I think there definitely can be a therapuetic and healing aspect to it. Writing can also be the capturing of peak experiences and a sharing of joys. Finally, there is a real sense of satisfaction upon completing a project; it's almost like magic; an otherworldly and enriching process.
Matt Nagin
A humor collection.
Matt Nagin
I don't wait to get inspired; I just write as a regular practice and sometimes in the process I feel inspired. Basically, I think inspiration is far less important than perspiration. If your writing regularly inspiration will find you. Don't look for it. Just be alert and things will speak to you. No avoiding it. At least that's how it works for me.
Matt Nagin
Partly from experience and partly from imagination.
I constantly have ideas, images, metaphors, or experieces that compel me to write.
I constantly have ideas, images, metaphors, or experieces that compel me to write.
Matt Nagin
Keeping a regular writing practice can help with writer's block. Also, giving yourself page quotas. Writer's block in my opinion is usually based in fear--fear of completing projects, fear of how others will respond to your work, or fear about what your writing reveals about yourself. Give yourself permission to write a bad draft; a crazy draft; a draft you don't like...with the knowledge you can always revise and your writer's block should go away....particularly if you have a regular writing practice.
Matt Nagin
I think most people fail from giving up too easily. They think now they
have to be responsible and focus only on what makes money. Or that
writing isn't practical. Or they are too self-critical and never complete
anything. Keep at it. Ignore the critics. Ignore the praise. Ignore everyone and everything. Ignore even the writing teachers. Ignore what other writers have done. Just keep at it. More words. On more pages. It's that simple.
I think most people fail from giving up too easily. They think now they
have to be responsible and focus only on what makes money. Or that
writing isn't practical. Or they are too self-critical and never complete
anything. Keep at it. Ignore the critics. Ignore the praise. Ignore everyone and everything. Ignore even the writing teachers. Ignore what other writers have done. Just keep at it. More words. On more pages. It's that simple.
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