Ask the Author: Matt Posner
Answered Questions (5)
Matt Posner
Things that I see around me and read about trigger creative ideas. I remember that Ray Bradbury was like this, as he said he got ideas just by going for a walk. I'm similar. Consuming other entertainments also gives me emotions that I can channel.
Matt Posner
I am currently working on a mysterious novel for adults, on School of the Ages 5, and on another mystery project.
Matt Posner
Learn grammar and other mechanics to perfection. Write things that aren't boring or unoriginal. Don't trust the traditional publishers or their henchmen, the literary agents. Get a degree in marketing.
Matt Posner
I can write books I want to read that no one else has written. That's overall the best thing.
I don't have anxiety about necessary writing tasks either. I can knock out in minutes projects that others sweat over for a long time.
There's no glamour overall in being the kind of writer I am -- I'm no Salman Rushdie, rolling in cash and getting drunk on fancy wine with other glittering literati and accepting awards with false humility. I work for a living -- as a teacher -- and I feel more like a blue-collar person despite being an intellectual.
I don't have a choice about being a writer. I just can't stop doing it. It's too basic to my identity, and more's the pity.
I don't have anxiety about necessary writing tasks either. I can knock out in minutes projects that others sweat over for a long time.
There's no glamour overall in being the kind of writer I am -- I'm no Salman Rushdie, rolling in cash and getting drunk on fancy wine with other glittering literati and accepting awards with false humility. I work for a living -- as a teacher -- and I feel more like a blue-collar person despite being an intellectual.
I don't have a choice about being a writer. I just can't stop doing it. It's too basic to my identity, and more's the pity.
Matt Posner
I think that "writer's block" is caused by a few problems.
One cause is being tired. The solution to this is to become less tired. Rest or caffeine or a hot shower can help.
Another cause is being distracted and unfocused. This is the biggest problem I have. I try to resolve it by rereading recent work. Sometimes this doesn't work.
The third cause is being disorganized. More planning or outlining helps with this. I am not obsessive about those at all, but I do think some such work is helpful. A lot of the time I am stuck because I just don't know what I should be writing, so some time figuring it out turns out to be a good idea.
One cause is being tired. The solution to this is to become less tired. Rest or caffeine or a hot shower can help.
Another cause is being distracted and unfocused. This is the biggest problem I have. I try to resolve it by rereading recent work. Sometimes this doesn't work.
The third cause is being disorganized. More planning or outlining helps with this. I am not obsessive about those at all, but I do think some such work is helpful. A lot of the time I am stuck because I just don't know what I should be writing, so some time figuring it out turns out to be a good idea.
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