Kore
Kore asked Penelope Douglas:

hi! im a small writer and i get really easily influenced by the books i last read when im writing, has this happened to you? if it has, any tips for us small writers? your an amazing author, thank you for writing some of my favourite books!

Penelope Douglas Thanks, Amy! I really appreciate that.

Honestly, I don't read much while I'm writing, and if I do, I read non-romance books. Just my taste. When I'm done writing for the day, I either want to zone out with Netflix or just sleep. I'm mentally exhausted. And if I do want to read something, I don't want to read the same types of books I write all day, so I doubt I'll be influenced too much by reading something outside my genre. Or maybe I am, and that's why my romance has a lot of suspense or mystery lol

We all get ideas--inspiration--somewhere, so it's okay to be influenced as long as you see it happening and make the idea your own. Give it your own flare. Stay true to who you are and your vision for the story. Make an outline and know your purpose--what you want to say--in the book.

And don't rinse and repeat what another author did. Bring something new to the table. For example, if you liked Devil's Night and want your group to get up to some shenanigans in the catacombs, do it but switch it up. Maybe it's not catacombs, it's an airplane junkyard with old WWII bombers and such, you know? Channeling your imagination will take time and patience. Most of my writing day is spent spinning in my desk chair and letting my mind wander.

Not sure if that's what you were asking, but hope that helps! Good luck!!
Penelope Douglas
107,867 followers

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