Ask the Author: Chevoque
Answered Questions (4)
Chevoque
Never aspire to be anything!
If you have put in the hours - sat your bum limp at the desk, writing your heart out and selling your soul - you are an AUTHOR! If you are self-published, a blogger, still working on your books; people nearly turn their noses up at you, if you don't call yourself 'aspiring'. But if you had done the hard work of dedicating yourself to living your dream, doing what you love or just doing it for the fun, you already done more than most people do their entire lives.
So throw away the aspire, because you already are amazing, just ask your behind!
If you have put in the hours - sat your bum limp at the desk, writing your heart out and selling your soul - you are an AUTHOR! If you are self-published, a blogger, still working on your books; people nearly turn their noses up at you, if you don't call yourself 'aspiring'. But if you had done the hard work of dedicating yourself to living your dream, doing what you love or just doing it for the fun, you already done more than most people do their entire lives.
So throw away the aspire, because you already are amazing, just ask your behind!
Chevoque
You get to make the rules. I'm lucky enough to only be doing the writing at the moment as a 'job' and I do whatever I want, when I want to. Working with people in a corporate setting was never something I wanted to do. That's why I tried being a tree hugging researcher who would be left alone in the field to do my own thing...but that didn't work out and I took the chance becoming a writer (I might not be very good, but it is where my passion lies). So really, it is the freedom of finally doing what I've always loved, without feeling bad for working until dawn and sleeping until noon.
Chevoque
Dreams mostly and the idea of escapism from reality draws me. Also, listening to what people are talking about, how they do it and why. I also enjoy seeing how people react to certain comments and mostly I try seeing what makes people stop what they are doing, and then try recreating those reactions. I like to make use of things that happen to me while I'm writing a specific book.
For example; In my latest book the idea of the waiter telling the two protagonists to procreate, was a comment given to me and my fiancé when we were in public. I remembered while writing that it was so unique to our South African way of being quite forward that it just fell into the story so beautifully, it needed to have a place in a quite important scene of the book.
So truly, South African people, my family and friends are my true inspiration. (And obviously all the pets I've encountered are also very inspiring.)
For example; In my latest book the idea of the waiter telling the two protagonists to procreate, was a comment given to me and my fiancé when we were in public. I remembered while writing that it was so unique to our South African way of being quite forward that it just fell into the story so beautifully, it needed to have a place in a quite important scene of the book.
So truly, South African people, my family and friends are my true inspiration. (And obviously all the pets I've encountered are also very inspiring.)
Chevoque
I have thus far not experienced it at all. I have two notebooks cramped with story ideas and memo notes (those are a favourite of mine).
That is also why my books are sort of planned to be released in a certain order. Each of my books have a hint of what the next will be about - since by the time of publishing I'm already halfway with the next book - and I also add something from the previously released book.
Up to this point I'm still waiting for that day to come where I'll look at my blank pages and think, 'Well, let's make tea and eat another batch of granny's biscuits until this clears up.'
That is also why my books are sort of planned to be released in a certain order. Each of my books have a hint of what the next will be about - since by the time of publishing I'm already halfway with the next book - and I also add something from the previously released book.
Up to this point I'm still waiting for that day to come where I'll look at my blank pages and think, 'Well, let's make tea and eat another batch of granny's biscuits until this clears up.'
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