Well, all the questions have been answered (I think), and I’d like to thank everyone one more time for dropping by. This was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed chatting with you all.

Now it’s time to reveal which names were pulled out of the jar. Up for grabs: a Bloodstone bookbag, a t-shirt, and the grand prize, a signed copy of the manuscript of my brand new novel, The Reach. This one is so new, the contest winner will be one of the very first people to read it after I typed The End.

Drumroll please:

Winner of the Bloodstone bookbag: Laura Emerson
Winner of the T-Shirt–Giane
And the grand prize winner of the manuscript of The Reach: Kristi T

Congratulations to the three winners! I’ll be in touch with them by email. If for some reason I can’t get a response within a few days, I will draw a new name or names from the jar.

For all of you who haven’t had the chance to read through the great questions and answers, here are the links to those pages on my journal:

First Part
Second Part
Third Part
Fourth Part

Thanks again everyone. I hope you stop by to see me again soon. Drop me a line any time, I’d love to hear from you. Happy reading!

Here’s the final part of the DearReader Q&A. To read the original post that started this whole thing, click here.

First Part
Second Part
Third Part

Onward…

Merrilee Peterson Says:

Merrilee

Hi Marrilee—Thanks for your support! Please drop me a line to let me know what you think of Bloodstone when you’re done.

Carolyn Disser Says:

Do you include many personal experiences in building plot or developing character?

Hi Carolyn—The first part of your question has been addressed for the most part—because I don’t work from an outline, and I like to see where the story takes me, things never turn out quite the way I thought they would. As far as the second part of your question goes, I think it’s essential to include bits and pieces of your own experiences in your fiction.

There’s an old adage, “write what you know.” It took me a long time to finally understand exactly what that meant. It doesn’t mean that if you’re a janitor, you need to write a book about being a janitor; what it means is, infuse your fiction with details and observations from your own life. Use these details to make your story shine. This includes both environment (that Tasty Freeze on the corner could show up as a setting for a murder) and personality traits (your next door neighbor has a habit of twirling her hair as she talks to men she finds attractive).

I think this goes beyond conscious decision-making. When I wrote Bloodstone, I wanted to write the ultimate ghost story/possession/small town evil novel, really pull out all the stops and just have fun with the genre. It wasn’t until I finished the first draft and went back and read through it that I realized how many references I had to cancer, to a sickness that had permeated the entire town of White Falls. My mother died of cancer when I was 13, and that made a tremendous impact of my life. Although I didn’t consciously set out to write about that, I think it came through anyway.

Katherine Mitchell Says:

Katherine
Indiana

Hi Katherine—Glad to see tea prices have stabilized. Gotta love Google. I knew SOMEONE would do that, I’m just surprised it took so long!

In my earlier years, most of my writing was done at night. I was definitely not a “morning person,” and I’d often sleep until 11 am or so, then work in the afternoon and sometimes until 2 am or later, depending upon how things were going.

It’s a bit different now after having three kids. Our youngest gets us up by 6:30 am regardless of how we feel, so my writing time tends to be earlier. I still write the best at night, though, between 9 and midnight.

Five children, wow—I don’t know whether to congratulate you or extend my sympathies. ☺

Tim Wing Wan Says:

I just retired after working for 20 years at the University of California. I am 53 and want to remain intellectually active. I have always wanted to write a book. But I am afraid that I have to admit that my motivation for writing is to make money. I am an immigrant from Hong Kong and I have lots and lots of personal stories to tell as an immigrant growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Question: Is it honorable to write a book based on real life experiences and yet fictionalize it by changing some aspects of the story? For example, I once worked for a United States Senator in Washington D.C. Can I write about that experience, telling the story “factually”, but changing the real name of the Senator to Senator John Smith? Also, I have lots of personal growing up stories that I believe will find a wide audience. Yet, I do not want my readers to know that those stories are about me. So I plan to write in a third person voice and ascribe those stories to a fictional character. Is this an honorable way to write? In other words, I won’t have to create a story. All I will do is just write my life story. Yet I want to fictionalize it because I want to stay anonymous.

Hi Tim—let’s tackle the first part of the question. There are plenty of famous examples of bestselling books that are supposedly thinly-disguised versions of real life events and people. Look no further than Primary Colors, which was about Bill Clinton’s Presidential run. You open yourself up to potential lawsuits by doing this sort of thing, but there are changes you could make to the story details that would help protect you. I guess it’s up to you to decide whether you’re willing to take the chance.

As far as the second part of the question, a year ago I would have said sure. But after the James Frey debacle, editors and agents are a lot more sensitive to stretching the limits of the memoir form. If all you’re doing is writing your life as it happened, and changing a few minor details to protect the innocent, then absolutely, it’s perfectly fine. If you begin to stretch the truth, well…who knows where that line might be.

Of course, if you’re just going to call this book straight fiction, then there’s no problem at all—unless you slander someone’s good name, and then we’re back to the first question. But that’s a perfectly fine and honorable way to write a novel, as far as I’m concerned.

All in all, fiction is protected pretty well in this country. People can sue for slander, but it’s not an easy case to win.

One final note: if you’re looking to get into writing to strike it rich, I’d strongly advise you to do something else. Regardless of how it might look to the general public, there really is little money in publishing. Even those well-known names (excluding the Grishams and Kings) you see on the bestseller lists aren’t making what you might think.

Writing “to remain intellectually active” is a smart thing to do; writing because you just want to write is smart too. If you land a big contract, well, that’s icing on the cake.

Good luck!

Nancy H. Says:

Thank you for writing and thanks for letting me ask questions.

Hi Nancy—I can’t say off the top of my head if dialogue or descriptions are easier for me. I guess it depends up on the individual scene and story. Sometimes one part will flow, but the other just won’t work.

But you’re right—authors are better at different things. Elmore Leonard, for example, is brilliant at dialogue (he’s not too shabby with anything else, either, but that’s his sweet spot). I’d imagine it just comes easier for him, but I don’t know. For me, it’s a matter of getting into whatever I feel the story needs at the moment. When I have trouble with dialogue, it’s usually because I really don’t know where I want the characters to go. I have to buckle down and do some brainstorming about how to get them from point A to point B, and do it in a way that is both interesting and makes sense.

Your other questions are good, too, but I think they’ve been answered already. Thanks for asking!

Tessa Bartels Says:

My question … think of Ray Bradbury’s “Farhenheit 451″ … if you had to memorize one book (not your own), which would it be?
Tessa

Hi Tessa—be careful when you’re reading while driving, ok? I’ve done that once or twice, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it on a regular basis!

If I had to memorize one book…I think I would choose Faulkner’s Light in August. It’s probably his most accessible work, and also his most devastating. There’s some very powerful writing in there, and characters that are complex and very real. Violence and murder and darkness…Joe Christmas might not be the most loved, but he is certainly one of the most memorable characters in American literature.

Katherine Says:

Does the process of writing get easier the more you write? Is it a matter of disciplining yourself to write something everyday or do you find yourself able to easily shift into the “creative zone” to write?

Good question, Katherine. I’d like to think the process gets easier, and in some ways it does. The more you write, the better trained you mind becomes, so you don’t have to spend as much time concentrating on the basic stuff. Sentence structure and style are second-nature. That leaves more time and energy for the plot itself.

But at the same time, it becomes harder to keep from repeating yourself. Most writers are very concerned with doing something different with their latest work, always stretching their own boundaries and skill levels. But that’s easier said than done.

There is a creative zone, but unfortunately I can’t turn it on particularly well. So although I can get writing done even if I’m not feeling really creative, there are certainly times where the mood just strikes—and I’ve got to be ready to stop whatever I’m doing and get the idea down on paper.

If I’m driving down the highway at 60 mph, that can be a problem. Maybe Tessa above can teach me a trick or two…

marge reinard Says:

My ultimate dream is to become an author of children’s books. I entered a contest and was told that I have the potential, but the cost for the course is very expensive. Do you have any other suggestions? Marge Reinard

Hi Marge—first of all, DO NOT pay anything like this. I hate to burst your bubble, but it’s very likely a scam.

I could fill a book with what I’ve seen. There are so many unscrupulous people out there looking to take advantage of the hopes and dreams of writers. Slimy agents who charge editing and reading fees, publishing houses who will “publish” your book for a fee, fake contests that ask for money to enter and then try to sell you a workshop or editorial advice. Pretty much everyone gets told they have potential, if they only open their wallet.

The thing is, writers are so desperate for someone to buy their work that they’re often sitting ducks for this sort of thing. Marge, you may very well have potential. But this isn’t the way to find out. If you need feedback, find a trusted friend or join a legitimate writer’s group. Write and polish your work and then submit it to legitimate agents and publishers. Do not pay one red cent to do this. It’s a hard road, but anything else will lead to heartache.

Check out preditors and editors (www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/) to see if the agents and publishers are legit. Make sure the agent is a member of AAR (Association of Author’s Representatives). Do a bit of googling on them. If anything smells funny, run, don’t walk, as far away as you can get.

A general rule of thumb: money flows TO the author, never the other way around.

mari Says:

Thanks for all your answers. m

Hi Mari—I submitted novels to several publishers early on in my career, and at least two dozen agents as well. I got the listings out of the guidebooks of the profession; Writer’s Guide to Publishers and Literary Agents by Jeff Herman, and the Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market. You can buy these at any bookstore, or go to the library and use them there. They’re helpful because they give names and addresses and also some guidance on what that publisher or agent specializes in (children’s thriller, non-fiction, etc.). These days, you can get a lot of the same information online, if you know where to look.

But although I had some very close calls, I never landed the agent or a contract in those days. As I mentioned in an earlier answer, it was my connection to editor/writer Ed Gorman that finally did the trick. I had gotten to know him through a friend, and I sent him a few chapters of Bloodstone. He forwarded them along to friends of his at Five Star, and they bought the book.

Life is funny sometimes. You can bang your head against the door for years, and just when you give up from the bruising, someone opens it.

Rita Says:

I do have a question — do you journal to keep track of thoughts or ideas you want to save for a book?

Hi Rita—I’m very glad to hear that you have so many friends and colleagues reading on the train. That’s a great way to make the commute fly! Books on tape are also wonderful for long car trips; it works for the kids, too.

I used to keep notebooks, but these days, most of the time I’m either at my desk or I have my laptop close by. So I jot ideas down on screen. If I’m out shopping or away from my computer, I’ve been known to pick up just about anything—shopping list, receipt, napkin, the back of my hand—to get an idea down before I lose it. Of course, half the time it’s gibberish by the time I get home!

Dorie Says:

Do you get your ideas for novels from your own life, the experiences of others, or just from your own imagination?

Hi Dorie—A combination of all three, actually. See earlier answers for how I get the spark of an idea, but how it grows from there depends somewhat on the things I’m doing and experiencing. For example, I’ve been doing a lot of renovating in our home the past three years, and so in the book I’m writing now, my main character (surprise) is doing demolition in their house. It’s a nice symbolic touch in a novel where this man’s world is crumbling around him.

Other times I might read a news article and think that would make the beginnings of a great story. But in order for it to really take off for me, I have to start imagining what happened behind the scenes. If a teenager shot another teenager in cold blood, for example, I want to know why, what was going through his head, what had happened between them…that sort of thing. That makes me want to explore the story, and I’m off.

Lisa Enz Says:

Hi Nate, My question is: Do you do a lot of research before you write your novels or do you rely on your current knowledge and experience? And how accurate do you feel a work of fiction should be? Thank you.

Hi Lisa—That depends on the story. For Bloodstone, I didn’t do as much research as with some other novels, because it took place in an area of the country I was familiar with, and because it was a supernatural-type story and so I could take more liberties with the plot. That’s not to say there still wasn’t research to do: for example, to write the letter from 1729 I dove into that time period, read letters that had been written back then, that sort of thing. I did some research on witchcraft. I read up on prison life, and how parole worked, and I researched the city and streets of San Francisco.

With other novels, I’ve had to do more. I think the key is to infuse the novel with enough research to give it complexity and make it believable for the reader, without giving so much information that it becomes boring. I don’t think it needs to be accurate; but the details have to match the story. In other words, you have to be true to the world you create.

Caitlyn Says:

My question has essentially been asked already, but here it is again. I actually have several book ideas that are well developed and I’m well in to writing two of them. But my question is how do you really get a book to flow. I know my stories and my characters better than I know myself, but I’m not sure if my readers will feel the same way and I’m not sure if they will even be interested enough to keep reading. How do you get a story to flow and develop while still keeping readers interested?

Hi Caitlyn—if you know your story and characters that well, you’re on your way. If YOU believe in them, the reader will too. Trust in yourself, write the best story you can, and don’t worry about the audience until you’ve got that last scene down on paper. Then it’s all about the edits. Get a friend you trust to give it a read and see what he/she says. You’ll have to do some chopping and rewriting, but you’ll get there.

Sara Says:

Hi Sara—I’ve answered this one already, but I’ve wanted to be a writer from as far back as I can remember. Books have always been a part of my life. I just can’t imagine not doing it, and I guess that’s what keeps you going when you face rejection.

Anne Says:

Have a good day,
Anne

Hi Anne—what a wonderful idea! Good for you for coming up with it.

Amanda Says:

Can you tell me what to expect and maybe how you were finally able to be published? I would love to share my novel with people because I am hoping it is something they will be interested in.
Thank you,
Amanda

Hi Amanda—see my earlier answer to Marge above. Don’t pay anyone to read, edit or publish your work. Those aren’t real agents or publishers, and they’ll do nothing more than take your money and damage your career.

The only thing you can do it to keep writing, keep polishing your craft, and keep submitting to legitimate agents and publishers. You’ll find those in the books I mentioned above, and you’ll find them at good writer’s conferences and workshops. Professors at your college might also be able to help you.

If you believe in yourself, stick with it and don’t give up. It’s a long, hard road, but it’s worth the trip.

Kristi Says:

I don’t have a question just a comment. I really enjoyed your introduction this morning at dearreader.com. You mentioned that your book was or is going to be featured. I don’t read at the horror club so I missed it but did read the excerpts from your website. I’m not a writer, I don’t even aspire to be but I LOVE to read. Stephen King is also one of my favorites and one of the first authors I began reading for pleasure. I just wanted to let you know that you have a new fan. I can’t wait to get my hands on Bloodstone to finish it.

Hi Kristi—thanks for your support! If you like Stephen King’s work, you should enjoy Bloodstone. Once you’ve finished with it, drop me a line through the contact section of my site and let me know what you think.

carolyn teasley Says:

i forgot to ask—when will this book– Bloodstone–be coming out in audio?

Hi Carolyn—I have no direct experience with schizophrenia. I have done a fair amount of research on it, however, because my next novel has a character who has been diagnosed with the disorder.

I haven’t finalized an audio deal for Bloodstone as of yet, although that’s in the works. It has been recorded for the hearing impaired, so you should be able to get it at a library that has that sort of material. Thanks for asking!

Giane Says:

Hi!
I am an avid reader!!! I listen to books as well as read them. I have a book with me everywhere I go. My question is: Do the books you read influence the story you are writing? How do you stay focused?
Happy reading!!!
Giane

Hi Giane—That’s a great question. I do have to be careful, because I read a lot and it’s sometimes hard to separate the plots of the book I’m reading with the one I’m writing. So I try to keep my reading and writing time removed from each other. Reading is often done at bedtime, before I turn out the light, while writing happens before I get upstairs, or on my lunch hour.

I do find that reading a well-written book can be very helpful to my own work. It’s not the plot details, but the rhythm and imagery of the words themselves that can be inspiring. You think, “I want to do that!” It’s sort of like stretching before a race. It can kick your creative energies into high gear.

Rhonda says:

Hi! First of all let me say thanks for reminding me that I too use to love to read (life sometimes gets in the way), and I just need to get back to it! Now for a question, I think there is a book swimming around in my head (or maybe its just those voices again), and I am not sure how to go about getting it out and on paper,,, any suggestions?? I really enjoyed your dear reader column!
Thanks and Have A Great Day!!

Hi Rhonda–I’ve talked about this in earlier answers, but I think the key is just sitting down and starting something, no matter how many words you get down or what you think of it. The important point is to just do it. It sounds simple, I know, but there’s really no other way. Set up a schedule and stick to it. You’ll be surprised at how fast those words add up!

Theresa Brandt says:

Thank you very much for giving us readers this forum and ability to contact you!

Hi Theresa–You know, everyone who does this crazy thing called writing gets discouraged at some point. It doesn’t matter how many times you publish something, either–sooner or later those voices will start whispering. “You’re not good enough,” they whisper. “You’ve got nothing left to say. This is the book that will end your career.” There’s nothing you can do about this except fight through it. Telling yourself you’re not qualified to write is silly; there’s nothing to any of that. If you want to write, and you sit down in front of that computer and put words down, you’re a writer. Simple as that. Whether you’ll get good enough to publish depends on how much commitment you’re willing to put into it.

I think you can do it. So sit down and start! I’m looking forward to reading a book with your name on the cover someday.

susie q says:

Dear Nate,
I enjoyed reading what you wrote today.
I have a 12 yr. old son who does not enjoy reading like I do. Any suggestions. This is not something new,he has never really cared to read anything other than assigned work from school. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Hi Susie–I’ve written some about this in earlier responses, but I don’t think you can push this sort of thing. A love for books has to develop naturally. You can encourage it by reading to children during their early years, and show them by example–read a lot yourself. But if you push it, reading becomes a chore, and that’s the last thing you want. It should be something they look forward to, rather than put off. Find things he likes–it doesn’t matter if it’s non-fiction, or comic books or stories about his favorite movies. The important thing is that he’s reading.

Good luck!

Sheryl Hand says:

Hello Nate–
Thank you for your outstanding column today & for offering to answer questions. After reading through the questions, I have one more for you. Has your successes changed your life in the ways you thought it would? Does your success allow more choices and options to pursue your passions in life? I love your writing & express my thanks for your talents. Reading your books almost takes me out of my body for a brief vacation while being lost in the words.

Hi Sheryl–I don’t know if I would call myself a success as of yet, but I thank you for your kind words! Launching this novel has certainly changed my life, but not in ways you might think. Two years ago I was pretty much your typical professional suburban family man, white-collar 9-5 job, three kids and all that. My writing was done mostly for my own pleasure, off hours or on weekends, and I never thought it would by read by this many people. Now I’m traveling to writer’s conventions and going to book signings, spending more time on the computer at night, and just trying to promote the novel as best I can. So my family and I have had to adjust. But it’s brought a lot of excitement too, and I LOVE hearing from people who have read my work and enjoy it. There’s nothing better than that.

________________________________________________

Well, we’ve reached the end. I’d like to thank every single one of you who came to visit the site, and those who took the time to send me a question or comment. I had a lot of fun with this, and I hope you did too. I’m always open to hearing from readers, so feel free to drop me a line at my contact link above.

And don’t forget, tomorrow night I’ll announce the winners of the prize drawing. Someone will win a Bloodstone t-shirt, another will win a bookbag with goodies inside, and someone else will win the grand prize, a signed copy of my brand new manuscript, a suspense thriller called The Reach. So check back in tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe you’ll see your name!

All best,
Nate

Lots more excellent questions here…to read the original post that started this whole thing, click here.

To read the first installment of the Q&A, click here.

To read the second, click here.

Onward…

Jay Says:

My question is this, do you think 33 books read since January 1 is enough to qualify me as an avid reader? I tend to let chores go when I’m “into” a good book. Jay Davis

Hi Jay—I certainly do, and good for you. I tend to lose track of the number of books I read each year, but it’s probably around 60. It used to be more. I review a couple each month for Horrorworld.org, and usually slip into one or two others that I don’t review.

Unfortunately that makes both of us very nearly “freaks” in this day and age. There are far too many distractions for most people to read that much. That’ fine (to each his/her own), but it does worry me a bit because I’m a writer, and writers need readers. I think during the next twenty years there will be some radical changes in the publishing industry. Will it survive? Sure. But what form emerges after the smoke settles, I don’t know.

Teri Haire Says:

Thank you for your time,
Teri Haire

Hi Teri—Making time to read is the key, isn’t it? It’s easy to do other things; switch on the t.v., do some cleaning, call a friend, chat online…at least for me, it’s not that I enjoy doing those things more than reading. They’re just potential time-eaters. You have to make the effort to avoid them, if it helps you find time to read (and write too, for that matter).

Your question about choice of subject is similar to one that a lot of others ask: where do you get your ideas? I’ve written quite a bit about this in earlier interviews, and in an earlier question from Laura (in the first installment), but basically my stories arise from some compelling image or spark, and then go from there. I have to be interested in the story myself to find it worthwhile to explore.

The first book I ever completed began when I woke in the middle of the night with this image in my head of a man searching the woods for a dead body. It stuck with me, and I started playing the “what if” game: who is this man? Who is he looking for? What happened to this person? What if the killer were still out there? So I began exploring these questions, and about three months later I was writing the end.

I always have many more ideas than I have time to write. Right now, for example, I have five different novel ideas that I think are compelling enough to work on, and they range from several thousand words already written to nothing more than a collection of notes. From these ideas I’ll choose to focus on one, either because it’s more interesting to me than the rest, or because I think it’s got the best chance of becoming a saleable novel.

Jacqueline S. Says:

My question to you is: At what point in your life did you become passionate about books? And at what point did your passion turn into writing?

Hi Jacqueline—I responded to this in other answers, but I’ve always been a bookworm. I’ve read (and been read to) since my early toddler years, and I’ve written stories my whole life. I think you have to have this sort of love for books if you want to be a successful writer. It’s got to be in your blood; this business is just too darn hard otherwise.

Leslie Says:

I am curious about the dollars and cents aspect of being a writer. What do you claim for tax purposes? Can you write off books, travel, fees, etc. used for research purposes (or at least a portion of that)? How much would you say it costs you to write a book in terms of supplies, research, travel, etc.? Is there a book or four that you read, web sites you consulted, or classes you took to help you get those details settled, or was it trial and error, mentors, and tax consultants?

Hi Leslie—I’m no tax expert, so I can’t really say for sure what’s ultimately appropriate in terms of a write-off. I let my accountant handle that. But I have written off books if they’re directly related to writing or the business of writing, and I’ve certainly written off travel if it’s to a writers’ convention or workshop. I don’t travel much for research (thank the Net for that), so I don’t think it costs all that much to write a book. The real costs come leading up to and immediately after publication, when you travel to book signings and events to promote the book, that sort of thing.

Mary Says:

This is so cool - to be able to write to an actual writer!!! Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!

Hi Mary—I actually find it cool that I get to hear from readers, who actually want to hear what I have to say—so thank you!

Amber Says:

I am not exactly sure how to pose my “question”. I have been kicking around the same book idea since I was in the 8th grade, which is a long time even though I am only 24. Of course, the characters have developed and the plot has progressed as I have matured, but the basic concept is still there. I love to read and to write and I feel obligated to put this “never-ending story” to paper but I have one problem (this is where you come in). I can get the plot and the characters out, the skin and bones if you will, but my problem is the in-between stuff. The extra stuff that makes a book flow, that keeps you reading. So, I guess my question is, how do you get the filler that makes a short story into a novel?

Hi Amber—oh, boy, that’s a good one. You know, I think it’s a very common problem. I wish I could come up with an easy answer for you. All I can say is that practice helps. There’s no shortcut. You learn by doing—and by reading lots of books, to see how others do it.

My first completed novel seemed very flat to me. There wasn’t enough life there, enough “meat.” I let a friend read it and I remember that her reaction was very similar. It was ok, but it just didn’t seem compelling. So I went back and filled bits and pieces in, fleshing out sections that I felt needed more suspense, more drama, more life. I added scenes from characters who were previously only mentioned in passing. I bulked up existing characters’ thoughts and added details to the environments they were experiencing. When I was finished, it was like a completely different book.

I gave it to the same friend, and she stayed up all night to finish it. She literally couldn’t put it down, and raved about it to me afterward. I knew I was onto something then, and it taught me a lot. The lesson here is, revision is part of the process, maybe more important than the first draft itself. The first draft is to get the story down on paper; the second and third draft is to carve that story up, and then polish until it shines.

ellie says:

Does your environment influence your writing process? How much reading do you do to inspire your writing?

Hi Ellie—Sure it does, in a couple of different ways. Over the short term, I need a quiet space away from distractions, away from noise, where I feel comfortable. It’s the only way to get in the right frame of mind. Ideally I need long chunks of time set aside as well, to get into the flow, but with my current schedule it’s hard to find more than an hour or two. So I make do.

And over the long term, where I am certainly influences what I write about. Bloodstone takes place in a small town in Maine, much like the town where I grew up. My second novel, The Reach, takes place in Boston, close to where I am now.

I do a ton of reading. I find it helps keep my brain in the right frame of mind. It’s almost like learning a foreign language—you’re training your mind to work and think in a certain way.

pearl Says:

I admire your creativity and writing skills. To be able to concentrate and put your thoughts in a coherent manner takes a great deal of imagination and perseverance. Did you always have this ability or was it acquired over time?

Hi Pearl—I think that it’s similar to any other profession. A good writer might have been born with wiring that’s more amenable to crafting a good story, but the skills still have to be built and polished through repetition. The more you write, the better you get. I think almost anyone is capable of becoming a competent writer over time, and a fair chunk of people could be great at it. But you have to dedicate yourself to it in a way that will weed out all those but the most committed (another word for insane, by the way, which is oddly appropriate).

sharon Says:

Writing is a wonderful profession but do you have to travel and meet with agents etc. or can you work alone?

Hi Sharon—You don’t HAVE to travel much at all, but there are certainly benefits to doing so. Writers’ conferences are great places to meet other writers, editors and agents and network. Lectures and book signings also help you get to know other people and learn more about the business. It is a business, after all, even if many writers would prefer to view themselves as artists. That’s all fine and good until the book is finished, and then it’s a product just like anything else.

Ultimately, the most traveling you do is when you’re promoting a new novel. Booksignings, meetings and other events are very important, particularly to newer writers who are trying to build a fan base. That’s where I am now.

As far as agents and editors are concerned, most of that business can be done over the phone or by email. You might have a lunch together every once in a while, but it’s not all that often.

Patty Says:

By the way, what book did you read when you shut off the phone ringer & turned off your laptop?

Hi Patty—glad you enjoyed the column. I hate being interrupted when reading a good book. See the answer to Terry’s question in the previous installment for more about my choice of book—Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.

Anna Davis Says:

Anna Davis

Hi Anna—I can relate to your problem, having a day job, three kids of my own, and a wife who works full time and is enrolled in a PhD program as well. It’s not easy. It helps to have a supportive spouse. Even if he’s not able to actually DO much at the moment to help you, as long as he understands what you’re trying to accomplish, and doesn’t resent you for it, that’s a big step.

Beyond that, you just have to carve out time whenever you can. Even with our busy lives, there are things that can be skipped. Your favorite t.v. show. That hour-long phone conversation you had with your friend from Texas. Lunch hours that are spent doing something other than writing. You get the idea.

Other than that, you can try getting up before everyone else in the morning and fitting in an hour or so of writing. Or, if you’re more of a night owl, stay up a bit later when the house is quiet. The important part is to schedule a regular time for you to get something done.

As someone else mentioned earlier, write just 500 words a day, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly they add up.

Stephen Lambert Says:

Sincerely,
Stephen Lambert

Hi Stephen—glad to have your support! Those are two impressive names in Barker and Shirley. Two of the best around.

I think some of your first question has been answered already. I’ve been writing my whole life, but my first publication wasn’t until college. Even then it was in tiny magazines that didn’t pay anything. My first pro sale was to the Terminal Frights anthology, back in 1994 or so. After that, I published one or two more stories in decent magazines, and then I got pretty burned out on the whole grind and stopped submitting entirely, although I didn’t stop writing. I moved to the Boston area, got a “real” job, got married and started a family. It wasn’t until about 2 years ago that I decided I wanted to get back in. That’s when I shook the dust off Bloodstone, which I’d written several years before, gave it a good hard edit and sent it to Ed Gorman, who passed it along to Five Star.

And that was it. After all those years, one sub, one book deal. Funny how things work out.

In terms of your second question, at least for me, there’s a weird sort of schizophrenia that goes on when I compare my work to others. Sometime I think my writing is the best stuff in the world, and sometimes I can barely stand to look at it. The strangest thing about this is that it’s often a reaction to the same exact story, just a different day and different mood.

Tammy Says:

Thanks so much for your Dear reader. As a mother of 2 I require the kids to read every day. I grew up reading and loved to escape with a great book. But I have not been reading any over the last 8 months due to a car wreck and the pain in my neck if I hold it still too long. But I am going to get back in the habit this week. There is nothing greater than a quiet house with everyone curled up with a book. And we always have great discussions after because both kids want to tell me about their book.
Thank you,
Tammy

Hi Tammy—I’m sorry to hear about the accident, and I agree with you—nothing better than a good book. Have you tried listening to books on tape?

Janice Turner Says:

I just read your Dear Reader column. I have one simple question for you. How do you keep your ideas fresh and different from what is already out there. Many times I sit down to think about things to write and all I come up with is ideas I’ve already seen on television or read in books.

Hi Janice—That’s a tough one. It’s not in the initial idea, necessarily, because pretty much every story has already been written. The devil, so to speak, is in the details. Fleshing out a character, dealing with the complexities of plot, bringing your own life, experiences and perspective into the book to make it shine. Those are the things that make something new and unique.

So don’t fret so much about coming up with an idea nobody else has ever done before. Just start writing something that interests you, and see where it goes. I guarantee that it will be something only you could write.

Judy Sorensen Says:

I really don’t have a question for you, but I would like to tell you how much I envy you for your talent….Thank you for writing for us. Judy

Hi Judy–thanks for the kind words! Without people reading my novel, I wouldn’t have the same satisfaction or feeling of accomplishment. As solitary an act as writing is, I consider the entire experience of publishing to be a more collaborative effort. So thank you, and all the others who make reading a part of their lives.

Jean (the Queen of Laundry) Colson Says:

Jean Colson

Hi Jean—you know, I don’t think enough people are aware of how wonderful it is to read a book on tape. It’s really a unique experience, sort of halfway between reading and listening to a performance. When I was very young we didn’t have a television, and I used to sit and listen to records of old Disney movies and stories. I think that this experience really helped me develop my visual memory and creativity. Because I wasn’t watching the movie, I had to make up what I thought it looked like on screen. Years later, I remember seeing the actual movie, and I thought it was so strange because I had these memories of what it should look like that were nothing like the reality.

That’s all for tonight. Tune in tomorrow for the final installment, and then it’s time to draw the contest winners!

Here’s the second installment of questions and answers. To read the original post that inspired all this, click here.

To read the first installment, click here.

Melany Van Every Says:

Did real people inspire the characters Billy and Angel?

Hi Melany—Very glad that you enjoyed the book. I can’t say that anyone in particular inspired the characters. There are bits and pieces of many people I’ve known over the years in most every character I write about—that’s part of the creative process. I think there’s also a part of me in each of them (I’d like to imagine the kind, happy, good parts, but upon reflection, probably not). Ultimately, any effective character is like Frankenstein’s monster, cobbled together by remembering a thousand different experiences and personalities that mesh to create something entirely new and unique.

Rachiel Soliz Says:

Thank you,
Rachiel Soliz

Hi Rachiel—No, I don’t work from an outline. My novels never work out exactly as I think they will. I find that a detailed outline dampens my creativity, and if I go too far I just lose the urge to explore the story. I feel as if I’ve told it already. So instead, I simply begin when I
 get an interesting idea or image in my head, when I’m burning to explore and see where it takes me. This usually leads to a lot of notes, and somewhat of a mess. I wake up in the middle of the night with a plot point or character attribute that I have to write down; sometimes I write pieces of scenes and dialogue ahead of time that might get dropped in later in the novel.
For Bloodstone, I knew pretty early on that a couple of major events and plot twists were going to happen, so I was writing with them in mind. I guess you could say that the primary ideas in the book were there pretty much after the first couple of chapters, but a lot of character traits, minor events and other more specific things changed dramatically.

Then it’s all about the edits — going back through and refining the story, putting in more foreshadowing and streamlining the plot until it all makes sense.

Teresa Says:

Cheers!!
Terry

Hi Terry—Yes, I’ve read Dusk, and I reviewed it for Horrorworld as well. You can read the review here: http://www.horrorworld.org/june_2006.htm.

I love Tim’s work. I think he’s one of the very best in the field today, and Dusk is a breathtaking achievement. When I got my contract for Bloodstone, the first author I looked up to ask for a blurb was Tim. He didn’t know me or my work, and he had about 15 projects on deadline at the time, but he agreed to look at Bloodstone anyway. And he gave it a fantastic blurb too.

But that’s Tim. Ever gracious, always willing to help out other writers, and talented as hell. I owe him big and I won’t forget it.

As far as Kindred Spirit goes, I wrote a bit about that in an earlier answer, but I’ll say that I really enjoyed the novel and think it’s Jack’s best work. He’s a great guy too. I’d recommend anything he’s written.

Nichole Says:

Nichole

That’s a very interesting (and difficult) question, Nichole. First of all, I admire your efforts to encourage reading in your children. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I think it’s the single most important thing you can do to encourage mental and emotional growth.

That said, I don’t think you can force it. I’m no childhood psychology expert, but it seems to me that reading is like anything else; if it becomes a “chore,” then it’s going to get ignored. Possibly even avoided. We have a similar problem with our son; reading was more difficult for him early on, and he’s never taken to it like our two other children, though he’s reading a fair amount of non-fiction now.

Some people are just more interested in other things, and that’s ok. Everyone is different. That said, I think the key is in reading to your kids from a very early age. Read aloud to them every single night, and make it a fun part of their routine. Make a point of letting them see you reading too; young children want to be like their parents, so they’ll try to do what you do.

Another thing you can do is figure out other ways to get him interested in the written word. Comic books are a good option; if he’s into sports, books on his favorite athletes can help. Even computer games where he has to read instructions or figure out puzzles based on written clues can really improve his reading skills and help him develop an interest.

Above all, don’t try to force him to read something while other kids are playing his favorite game at the park. It will only make him resent the whole experience. Find times when he’ll look forward to reading (maybe he can stay up past his bedtime if he’s looking at books, for example).

Good luck!

Terry Says:

Terry L.

Hi Terry—Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. I don’t think I could call it my favorite book of all time—I love so many of them for different reasons—but it’s definitely in my top five, and it never fails to give me the creeps while impressing the heck out of me for its brilliant, concise writing and flawless plotting. How about you—do you have a favorite? Drop me a line and let me know.

Kathleen Richardson Says:

I just read your bio and understand totally about writing EVERY DAY. I spent a year spinning my wheels on a book idea, then finally settled down and have written over 35,000 since April 12′06. What helped? Finding lots of people willing to receive my email accountability report. Each weekday after writing 500 words, I sent out the report and often they respond with encouraging comments. If any of your readers are interested in how the idea works (they’re welcome to use the idea for their own book writing!), they can see my reports and readers’ comments here: www.onyourwaytothetop.com/faq-2.htm. For those who do use the idea, invite me to be on your accountability mailing list.

Hi Kathleen—that’s an excellent idea. I think one of the reasons I kept going and finished my first book, right out of college, was because my grandfather bought me a laptop and I felt like I had to make it worth his while. ☺

There’s another important point in your comment—getting something down on paper every day. 500 words doesn’t seem like a lot, but it adds up fast. Don’t focus on the finish line, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and before you know it, you’ll be typing “the end.”

Carol Says:

How do you choose the names for your characters? In all my years of reading fiction, I’ve always wondered how authors do it.

Hi Carol—it’s actually a pretty hit or miss process, for me. Sometimes the names just pop into my head, and sometimes I struggle. Sometimes I choose them for a reason, and sometimes I just like the way they sound. For Bloodstone, I picked extremely generic names for my main characters because I wanted the names to be unimportant. I wanted this to reflect that both Billy and Angel did not really understand who they were. They are people without a past. This is part of the journey they go through—it’s a journey of self-discovery.

For other books or stories, if I don’t think of the right name immediately, sometimes I’ll go online and look at lists of surnames, trying to find the right fit. It’s funny, but when I read down through these lists there are usually one or two names that just seem “right” for that particular character. I don’t know why.

Thanks again, everyone! More to come tomorrow.

What a great bunch of questions you all posted. I got a far greater response than I’d expected, and I’d like to answer them all as carefully as I can. So this might take a while.

Click here to see the original thread with the questions that have been asked so far.

Without further ado, here are the first few:

Patsy Goodman Says:

Yours,
Patsy Goodman

Hi Patsy–I’ve always been reading and writing, and from as far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a “writer” (well, maybe I wanted to be a bus driver or baseball player back in kindergarten, but other than that brief detour…)

I remember devouring Hardy Boys mysteries (and pretty much anything else I could get my hands on) when I was as young as six or seven. A year or so later I found an old typewriter and churned out “The White Horse.” This was a horrific (not horror, just plain bad) little 25-page story that ripped off the Black Stallion right down to the wild horse and the races. I sold copies of it to relatives for a quarter. I still have one buried around here somewhere.

The summer after my freshman year of high school, I made a deal with my aunt (who was raising me at the time) that instead of getting a summer job, I would write a novel. I got about 80 pages in before giving up. It was a Tom Clancy-style spy novel, which was the type of thing I was into reading at the time. I dug that out of my old files a few months back and was surprised to find that it was pretty good. Nowhere near publishable, but not a train wreck, either.

I took writing courses in college, majored in English, and won a couple of awards for a short story and a play. But during that time I thought I had to write “serious” literature, and as a result most of what I did was preachy and really pretty bad. When I graduated I decided that this was the time to take my best shot, and I banged out my first complete novel, a slasher-style horror story about a psychopath loose up in the wilds of Maine. That was more my style! I kept writing after that, although eventually I had to get a day job to pay the bills.

Darlene Myers Says:

Dar

Hi Darlene—I hear this one so often from new writers, and the answer is really pretty simple: just start writing. Don’t worry if it’s any good, and don’t even think about where things are going if that makes you too nervous. Just find a story that interests you and explore it.

All the other things are just keeping you from the real goal. Writer’s groups could help you get motivated, courses at local colleges might do the same, reading books about writing can give you some helpful tips, and attending conventions can help you network. But ultimately, it’s up to you to sit down and put the words on paper. So map out a regularly scheduled time to write, at least an hour or so a day, and keep to it. Set a goal (1 page, 5 pages, it doesn’t matter) and try to hit it by the end of every session. Your first efforts are going to have problems, that much is inevitable. So use them as learning experiences. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to bang out a perfect product. That’s what revisions are for, after all.

It’s the words that count. Good luck!

Marie Says:

Thanks!
Best,
Marie

Hi Marie—First of all, good for you for passing on your love of books to your children. That’s an invaluable thing and will benefit them tremendously when they grow up. Some of my fondest memories are of my father and mother reading to me every night. My grandfather Edward also used to read books aloud when I went to visit him as a child. I have no doubt that this is why I’m a writer today.

I read at least a book a week, and sometimes I juggle more than one at once. The last book I finished was Kindred Spirit by John (Jack) Passarella, and I chose it because I’d corresponded with him and wanted to see what his writing was like with this one. It’s very good. Jack’s an excellent writer and although this is a slight departure from his earlier stuff (The Wither series), it’s just as good, maybe better. Jack has a knack for research, and he does a fantastic job using that research to make his characters’ lives believable.

I’m almost finished with Koontz’s Velocity, which I started a while back and had to put aside while I finished up some books I had agreed to review for Horrorworld, and then I’m back into Laymon’s Into the Fire. I read a couple of chapters of that when I was at Necon this past weekend (a writers’ conference). I’m also reading an advance reader copy of Ancient Eyes by David Niall Wilson, which I’d agreed to review. Dave’s a good friend and a fantastic writer, and so far this is one of his best.

Whew! I guess that question wasn’t quite as easy to answer as I thought it would be. I have at least 50 books on my to be read pile, and I keep adding to it all the time. Many of them are horror or suspense, but I mix in some classics every once in a while as well.

Maureen Says:

Nate, thank you for your dearreader.com e-mail today. I read Bloodstone, which was a total departure for me because of the book clubs. Anyway, I really wanted to thank you for what you wrote in this e-mail. I have recently instituted a new rule regarding online and tv time because I really missed reading and your e-mail made me so happy that I had done this. I felt like I never had enough time, but really I was squandering my time on unimportant things that were not bringing me the same pleasure as reading always has. I am really so delighted as I remember the joy of reading for pleasure, not just for work. As Harper Lee wrote to Oprah (O Magazine, July 2006), I love the softness of the pages, as opposed to the coldness of electronics. Thank you for reminding me what I have been missing.

Hi Maureen—you’re very welcome, although it sounds like you’ve got things well under control. Reading is a unique pleasure, indeed. I’m glad you’ve been able to reconnect with the written word, and thanks for writing.

Cheryle Says:

Hi,
What do you find the most difficult thing about writing a novel, and what do you do to overcome it?
Thanks,
Cheryle

That’s an excellent question, Cheryle. I think that it’s a bit different with every book, but here are a couple of issues I have pretty frequently.

Sometimes I hit a wall about halfway through, and it’s very hard to push beyond a certain point. The plot seems to be getting too unwieldy, the characters aren’t interesting enough, I can’t see the ending, and I’m just plain tired of the whole thing. That’s a dangerous time, because it’s too easy to just let it go, take a breather and work on something else. But I’ve found that if I do that I don’t always come back. It works best if I just keep working. If I stay focused the feeling goes away and eventually I hit my stride again. Easier said than done…

Another problem I have is after the first or even second draft is complete. I often reach a point where I know I need to cut something, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Usually it’s one of my favorite scenes or chapters, but it just doesn’t move the plot or doesn’t fit in with what I’m trying to do, and so it has to go.

I say that I know this, but it really isn’t that simple. There’s a voice in the back of my head that is pretty insistent. That’s the best thing you’ve ever written, the voice says. It has to stay. Maybe you’re wrong, maybe it’s the only thing keeping this book from the trash can. So what I have to do is pretend I’m not the author, but an editor who needs to whip the book into shape. By keeping as impartial a perspective as possible, I’m usually able to be a bit more ruthless. And once the section is gone, 9 times out of 10 I’ll find out I’m right.

Shareen Says:

What made you decide to write in the genre you have chosen, and what do you call it? And, two, how did you find a publisher and/or agent?

Hi Shareen—I guess I’d call my chosen genre dark suspense. I straddle the line between straight horror and suspense thrillers; although Bloodstone is certainly closer to the former, my just completed novel, The Reach, is more of a thriller. But pretty much everything I write is dark and emotionally intense.

I really don’t think we have much of a choice about what we write. It comes from who we are, how we think, and what we like to explore with our fiction. For me, horror and suspense allows me to explore the darker side of life, and ultimately the best parts as well. I think horror fiction allows us—both writer and reader—to explore our most intense emotions and the fears that we might not otherwise be able to face. That’s a pretty powerful thing.

I went through some major trauma and loss early on in life, losing my father to a car accident and my mother to cancer, and I’m sure that had something to do with it as well. I’ve written fairly extensively on that in other interviews and so I won’t go into it any more here, but those events certainly shaped who I am, and how I view the world.

How did I get a publisher? In this case, it was a connection to legendary author and editor Ed Gorman (everyone should check out his novels, he’s fantastic), who read my work and then sent a couple of chapters of Bloodstone on to friends of his at Five Star and told them they should take a look. They did, and asked for the rest of the manuscript, and then they offered me a contract a few months later.

It sounds pretty simple, but I’d been trying to break through for years before that with blind submissions to various agents and editors. Landing that first contract is like lightning in a bottle—you can’t really catch it, and you don’t really know when it’s coming. You just have to remain persistent and be ready to take advantage of it when you get the opportunity.

Yoshiro Maya Says:

Yoshiro Maya

Hi Yoshiro—Thanks very much for the interest! You can order Bloodstone on Amazon, absolutely. In fact, that’s probably the best place for most people to get it (it’s certainly the cheapest, at around $16):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594144389/103-1354776-6687002?n=283155

If you want an autographed copy, you can send it to me and I’d be happy to sign it and send it back, as long as you include a self-addressed, postage paid return mailing envelope. That goes for anyone else, too; just drop me an email at nate@natekenyon.com for my mailing address.

I’d also be happy to mail you an autographed photo.

Laura Emerson Says:

When you begin your book do you know from the beginning which way your characters are going to go and how they are going to get there?

Another great question! I very rarely do. For me, part of the excitement of writing a novel is finding out what happens. My stories always start out with an image or idea that intrigues me, and then a twist or variation on that idea really gets me interested in writing the story. For example, with Bloodstone, I wanted to write an opening scene that involved a psychotic man kidnapping a woman. I liked the tension inherent in that plot device. But it’s been done a thousand times, and the idea didn’t really take off until I started playng the “what if” game: what if the man wasn’t really crazy at all? What if the voices were real? What would it take to make this man the hero of the novel? How would I take an initially distasteful character and make the reader come to respect and even root for him?

That’s what made me sit down to write. Everything else came from that first spark.

That’s all for now…I’ll post the next installment tomorrow. Thanks for checking in!

I am both thrilled and humbled by the overwhelming response to my request for questions, and just wanted to let everyone know that I will be posting responses as soon as I am able. I may need to break it up into 2-3 installments. Look for the first one tonight.

For those who don’t know what I’m referring to, see my previous journal entry for more info on the Q&A, and to ask a question. It’s not too late!

As far as the contest winners are concerned, I have taken everyone’s names down so far, and will be writing them on slips of paper and asking my youngest daughter to pull the winners out of a bowl later this week. So please stay tuned…

Hello everyone! If it’s the morning of July 17, many of you have just read my DearReader.com guest column. I’d like to extend a special thanks to Suzanne Beecher and the rest of the DearReader crew for giving me that opportunity.

Because I had so many things I wanted to talk about in that column, and so little space, I thought I’d open the discussion here on my journal and take questions on any subject, from anyone who is curious about me, my novel Bloodstone and how it came about, my writing process, the writing/publishing business these days, the price of tea in China…Pretty much anything you’d like to ask, I’m here to answer (well, except maybe that last one).

I’m sweetening the pot a bit too; anyone who asks a question here will be entered into a drawing to win some neat prizes, including a t-shirt, a Bloodstone book bag–and a signed copy of my brand new novel, The Reach. But this one has a twist: The Reach is so new, it hasn’t even been read by an editor yet.

That’s right: one winner will get a rare, personalized copy of the draft of a manuscript that at this point only a handful of people have ever seen.

So fire away! Ask questions using the comments field below. If you don’t see the comments field, click on the title of the post (above) or click here. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

The Northeastern Writer’s Conference, held at Roger Williams University, on July 13-16. More information at the Necon Website.

Just a quick note to say that tomorrow morning we’re off to Necon, the “camp” for suspense and horror writers held at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. This year is going to be a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and generally letting loose and having a good time. Last year was my first Necon. It’s a unique experience, to be sure, and one I don’t plan on missing ever again.

More information can be found here: campnecon.com.

I’ll report back when we return!

A reading and signing at the Bookland Cafe and bookstore in Brunswick, Maine, on Saturday, July 8, at 1 pm.