Ask the Author: Lee Thompson
Answered Questions (11)
Lee Thompson
Pretty cool! I hope I don't let it go to my head and become the Antichrist!
Lee Thompson
Hi, Rodd. Down Here in the Dark is out of print right now. I'll be releasing it next year as part of a Division Omnibus (along with the book before it-- Iron Butterflies Rust-- and the story that sets between them-- As I Embrace My Jagged Edges.) Thanks for the interest!
Lee Thompson
Hi Philip! Thanks for the question. I started writing ten yeas ago (have been a published author for the last three years.) I got into fiction because I was songwriting and kept coming up with these story/songs that were much too long. Then I kept dreaming about these one characters and started writing some horrible prose which became my first novel NURSERY RHYMES 4 DEAD CHILDREN. I had to rewrite that novel every year for eight years before I sold it.
Lee Thompson
Hi, Mike! Thanks for the question! I'm going to self-publish a Division Mythos Omnibus #1 (which will close with that novel) sometime in the next six months. If you subscribe to my website you can keep track of when things are coming out. Thanks again!
Lee Thompson
I like your Randomized Randomocity thing. I've never been asked that question, nor have I seen another author asked it. So kudos to you for originality! Thanks for the question, Richard!
My characters all have birthdays, moms and dads, sibs and cousins and exes. They just don't make it into the story unless they're pivotal people in the characters lives. I imagine lots of authors are the same way, we know more than the reader could ever know (or would probably want to. Lol)
My characters all have birthdays, moms and dads, sibs and cousins and exes. They just don't make it into the story unless they're pivotal people in the characters lives. I imagine lots of authors are the same way, we know more than the reader could ever know (or would probably want to. Lol)
Lee Thompson
From a dream. I get tons of ideas, images, and character details from dreams.
Lee Thompson
I love the characters I write about and the journey they all take together, whether they admire or agitate each other. Inspiration enough in that.
Lee Thompson
I can't talk about it until I finish the first draft.
Lee Thompson
1. Do what Stephen King said and read a lot. Then study what you read to find out why it works.
2. Write what you obsess about, and figure out why it's such an obsession.
3. Hand-copy a favorite novel to walk in the footsteps of one of your heroes.
4. Find a few people you can trust to beta read for you.
5. Challenge yourself by finding your greatest weaknesses and learn how to make them your strengths.
6. Adapt the attitude that you need to be in it for the long haul.
7. Find a mentor.
8. Trust your instincts (if you have no instincts, develop some.)
9. Find characters that fascinate you and then find the most engaging way to tell their story.
10. Believe in yourself because at first a lot of people are going to laugh at you behind your back (although some will laugh in your face).
2. Write what you obsess about, and figure out why it's such an obsession.
3. Hand-copy a favorite novel to walk in the footsteps of one of your heroes.
4. Find a few people you can trust to beta read for you.
5. Challenge yourself by finding your greatest weaknesses and learn how to make them your strengths.
6. Adapt the attitude that you need to be in it for the long haul.
7. Find a mentor.
8. Trust your instincts (if you have no instincts, develop some.)
9. Find characters that fascinate you and then find the most engaging way to tell their story.
10. Believe in yourself because at first a lot of people are going to laugh at you behind your back (although some will laugh in your face).
Lee Thompson
Connecting on an emotional level with total strangers; making people feel and think about their lives and the lives of those closest to them; to know myself better.
Lee Thompson
I don't believe in writer's block. I think it's just emotional exhaustion or lack of enthusiasm for what you're writing. There's no shame in taking a break when you need to recharge your emotional tank, and I think it's necessary if we've been pushing ourselves to the edge for years. Take a breath. Soak up something new. Revisit your favorite novels and find new favorites.
And if the reason we feel blocked is that we're not excited about the characters we've created, or the story they're playing out, then we might as well drop that story and find one that really matters to us. Find what titillates and thrills you. Why waste your time writing something you feel lukewarm about?
And if the reason we feel blocked is that we're not excited about the characters we've created, or the story they're playing out, then we might as well drop that story and find one that really matters to us. Find what titillates and thrills you. Why waste your time writing something you feel lukewarm about?
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