Ask the Author: Mac Fletcher
Answered Questions (8)
Mac Fletcher
Yes, but the mystery in my life which I hope will make a good story must remain a mystery until I'm ready to write it.....Ask a daft question...
Mac Fletcher
Hi Edward and thanks for your question. I'm assuming you're referring to populary with regard to writing. If that's the case I can only answer from limited experience of popularity. My writing style is, as I'm sure is the case of most writers, based on my style of speech. I try to write as I would normally express verbally; whether this is popular or desirable is for the reader to judge, though I've had some rather nice comments about my writing of late.
As for adaptation to a style, the only case I can think of there is when writing for children, especially younger ones - for which I would need to simplify my narrative (although not necessarily with a lot of kids - they're more sophisticated than me).
As for adapting my style to increase my popularity, I'm not sure whether I could or even should. Readers can spot a cynic a mile away, and I think my stuff would come across as phoney. I hope this goes some way towards answering your question, but I always welcome correspondence, so please contact me if I'm on the wrong track. Mac
As for adaptation to a style, the only case I can think of there is when writing for children, especially younger ones - for which I would need to simplify my narrative (although not necessarily with a lot of kids - they're more sophisticated than me).
As for adapting my style to increase my popularity, I'm not sure whether I could or even should. Readers can spot a cynic a mile away, and I think my stuff would come across as phoney. I hope this goes some way towards answering your question, but I always welcome correspondence, so please contact me if I'm on the wrong track. Mac
Mac Fletcher
By reading other work and doing other things. I don't think there's a magic cure but having other project on the go stops me fretting about all sorts of problems. Touch wood, I've not (yet) had a major problem with it.
Mac Fletcher
I see writing in much the same way as the reader views reading I think - as an escape first and foremost. I also find it very cathartic, and good excercise for a brain that needs to be occupied.
Mac Fletcher
Phew! I'm not (as yet I hope) succesful enough to set myself up as an example to aspiring authors. What I've done is tried to retain faith in my work and plodded on. If you're in it purely for money though, I doubt that my method will work.
Mac Fletcher
I'm alternating between a prequel to Death Must Go On! which takes place during WW2, and the third of my "Kings Way series" (Forever April and Death Must Go On!) which isn't a good way of working for me. I like to think I'm single-minded - which friends interpret for bloody-minded - so whichever story takes to its feet first will receive my full attention,
Mac Fletcher
Sadly I don't always, but three of my novels have been based on ideas which just came from the ether without prior thought.
Mac Fletcher
My most recent release on Kindle (The Circle Now Is Made) was actually conceived and written way back in the 80s. The plot sprang from events which actually took place in a Cornish village in the 70s... though that is where the similarities end.
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