Tullaia
asked
Jennifer A. Nielsen:
Hello! It's been a while since I last asked you a question. But I'm back with some more! How do you stay motivated? <- Sorry, I know you probably get this a lot. When writing books, do you start with the story or create the characters first? Also, where do you get these amazing character and country names?
Jennifer A. Nielsen
Hey there - figure out why it is you lose motivation. Is it:
- You got another bright, shiny new idea? Okay, then write it down and set it aside. It will still be there when you come back.
- You're stuck in your current project. Give your character a new problem, a big one, and see if that helps.
- You're at a place where writing feels like work. Yup, sometimes it does. Write anyway, push through it.
- The total project seems overwhelming. Break it down into smaller parts. Just do a paragraph or two then something else, then come back and do another couple of paragraphs.
- You don't think your draft is very good. Nope, it isn't. Because nobody's first draft is any good, so don't stress that. Write at the top; of the page, "This is the worst version this story will ever be," and keep writing.
I stay motivated because I think of my characters as real, and if I get them into a ton of trouble, I feel obligated to get them out of trouble, to finish their story.
Second question: I start with the hook - the general concept, then I look for my main character and my antagonist, and once I have them, I start to build the plot around them.
Original names; For me, it's just about combining the sounds of letters unit it feels like a name I like. If this doesn't work for you, try starting with a familiar name and changing it one letter at a time, or adding and subtracting. For example:
EMMY -> EMRY -> EMRYA ->IMRYA
A unique name in four steps. Good luck with your writing!
- You got another bright, shiny new idea? Okay, then write it down and set it aside. It will still be there when you come back.
- You're stuck in your current project. Give your character a new problem, a big one, and see if that helps.
- You're at a place where writing feels like work. Yup, sometimes it does. Write anyway, push through it.
- The total project seems overwhelming. Break it down into smaller parts. Just do a paragraph or two then something else, then come back and do another couple of paragraphs.
- You don't think your draft is very good. Nope, it isn't. Because nobody's first draft is any good, so don't stress that. Write at the top; of the page, "This is the worst version this story will ever be," and keep writing.
I stay motivated because I think of my characters as real, and if I get them into a ton of trouble, I feel obligated to get them out of trouble, to finish their story.
Second question: I start with the hook - the general concept, then I look for my main character and my antagonist, and once I have them, I start to build the plot around them.
Original names; For me, it's just about combining the sounds of letters unit it feels like a name I like. If this doesn't work for you, try starting with a familiar name and changing it one letter at a time, or adding and subtracting. For example:
EMMY -> EMRY -> EMRYA ->IMRYA
A unique name in four steps. Good luck with your writing!
More Answered Questions
Michael
asked
Jennifer A. Nielsen:
I has come into possession of the ascendance trilogy recently, and just tonight I finished the first book... and it made me a fan of your writing for life, I found the story and its twists to be phenomenal, I am already several chapters into "The Runaway King" now... and can't help but wonder... do you have any plans to write more about Carthya and its inhabitants? Perhaps the other surrounding countries?
Cecilia
asked
Jennifer A. Nielsen:
Do you agree that all protagonists have to reflect their authors? Do yours reflect you?
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