Lori Foster
Good morning, Adam!
I'm not sure how it is for most authors, but for me about 80% of the need to write is that a story is in my head demanding to be put on paper. There are always a dozen characters speaking to me, so I tend to go with the one who speaks the loudest and most often - and that's almost always the male protagonist.
Another 10% is my sense of responsibility to fulfill a contract. :-D I get contracts for books well in advance of actually writing them. For instance, right now I have 5 books outstanding in contracts - meaning I owe my publisher 5 books.
The other 10% would the enjoyment of getting paid. lol.
Going back to the characters talking to me, they spark from everywhere - I've gotten story ideas from commercials, music, movies, taking a walk, being on vacation... once from seeing people in another car on the highway. There's this little "hmm, what if?" that happens, and a character grabs that question and runs with it.
I'm fortunate that I rarely lack the motivation to write. Actually, it's just the opposite. When I'm busy with other things and *can't* write, it drives me nuts. Writing is my favorite routine when all is going well, and it's my escape when things are not. :-)
Thanks for the question!
I'm not sure how it is for most authors, but for me about 80% of the need to write is that a story is in my head demanding to be put on paper. There are always a dozen characters speaking to me, so I tend to go with the one who speaks the loudest and most often - and that's almost always the male protagonist.
Another 10% is my sense of responsibility to fulfill a contract. :-D I get contracts for books well in advance of actually writing them. For instance, right now I have 5 books outstanding in contracts - meaning I owe my publisher 5 books.
The other 10% would the enjoyment of getting paid. lol.
Going back to the characters talking to me, they spark from everywhere - I've gotten story ideas from commercials, music, movies, taking a walk, being on vacation... once from seeing people in another car on the highway. There's this little "hmm, what if?" that happens, and a character grabs that question and runs with it.
I'm fortunate that I rarely lack the motivation to write. Actually, it's just the opposite. When I'm busy with other things and *can't* write, it drives me nuts. Writing is my favorite routine when all is going well, and it's my escape when things are not. :-)
Thanks for the question!
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