Ask the Author: L.D. Colter
Answered Questions (4)
L.D. Colter
I'm still actively writing/re-writing at this time, so I'll continue to set aside a few books I'd hoped to read soon (the 2nd in Megan O'Keefe's Scorched Continent, the 2nd and 3rd in Randy Henderson's Finn Fancy set, Wool, Spin, Red Rising, and more) and continue with heavily literary-leaning fantasy or weird fiction until I'm down to proofing, writing short stories, or even taking the oft-imagined break. Likely prospects this summer are:
Borne by Jeff Vandermeer
Railsea by China Mieville
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy (straight literary)
The Course of the Heart by M John Harrison)
Kindred by Octavia Butler
House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski
The Waking Engine by David Edison
Jerusalem by Alan Moore
Peace by Gene Wolfe
Borne by Jeff Vandermeer
Railsea by China Mieville
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy (straight literary)
The Course of the Heart by M John Harrison)
Kindred by Octavia Butler
House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski
The Waking Engine by David Edison
Jerusalem by Alan Moore
Peace by Gene Wolfe
L.D. Colter
My main focus at this time is my unfinished novel. I hope to have the novel in final draft by the end of the summer and the elevator pitch goes like this:
EREBUS is a novel in which Greek mythology collides with twentieth century technology, where conjoined queens rule a nation perched above a land filled with demi-gods and monsters, and one man finds himself surrounded by powerful enemies. The novel should appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman and Tim Power's magic realism and China Mieville's new-weird fantasy styles.
EREBUS is a novel in which Greek mythology collides with twentieth century technology, where conjoined queens rule a nation perched above a land filled with demi-gods and monsters, and one man finds himself surrounded by powerful enemies. The novel should appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman and Tim Power's magic realism and China Mieville's new-weird fantasy styles.
L.D. Colter
Persistence. It's probably the one most valuable trait to cultivate because it's very rare for a new writer to achieve success quickly.
My other piece of advice would be to find fellow writers willing to trade honest critiques -- whether in online forums, workshops, or local critique groups -- giving and receiving feedback on early drafts is, I think, the best learning tool there is.
My other piece of advice would be to find fellow writers willing to trade honest critiques -- whether in online forums, workshops, or local critique groups -- giving and receiving feedback on early drafts is, I think, the best learning tool there is.
L.D. Colter
If I lock up because I feel like I'm losing my way or just can't figure out how to move the plot forward, it's likely I've taken a wrong turn recently and that's why things won't mesh. I'll go back and spend time looking at plot elements, character development, etc, and usually find a problem that needs fixing. If it's just one of those low writing momentum periods, 'butt in chair' is the only answer. I'll usually line edit previous work to get going again. A firm, daily wordcount goal helps a lot also.
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