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Novel # 2

Even under the most testing conditions, writers find inspiration.
I have just started novel number 2. (yay!)
It's very different from the last one, in tone, plot and character base etc, although obviously still social science fiction, and as yet unnamed.
I seem to be a 'stand alone' novelist rather than one who enjoys the challenge of the "continuing" story or a series writer. It just seems to suit my nature I guess!
What do you prefer?
Writing a series of shorter novellas as part of a series (book 1, 2, 3 and so on)
or
Writing the epic story as a stand alone.

Novel 1 (O'Tura) came in at 108,000 words!

What a week!

Wow, what a week it's been.
Temperatures here in Australia have been crazy hot. Yesterday it was 46C (yes C not F!!!)
The bushfire threat has been all too real in my little patch of this earth, so I've been offline for a while...!
A big Thanks to all the fire men and women who are doing a fantastic job under horrendous conditions, and I might add, never forget the all too often forgotten victims - the Australian wildlife.

Bushfires in Australia

Bushfires are running rampant through Australia today.

Temperatures rising to 44-45C with winds up to 55kph driving the fires into new territory.

If, like me, you are in areas that are threatened, my thoughts are with you.

BIG thanks to all the members of the Australian Fire Services...

I hope everyone is safe.

http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/

What I keep in mind when writing.

• Who is this character? What motivates them? Like any real person, a character needs background to do the things they do. They need history to shape their decisions. But; they also need to be real. Even the villain will have moments of "goodness" and the good guy will have moments where he / she is capable of real evil. 

• Describe where the characters find themselves. IE: the setting or location. I don't think it's necessary to describe every place, but the really important ones should be explained and given a life of their own. Particularly if the setting has some significance to the character...you can also reveal why, to add to character development. 

• Add an element of surprise to your novel! Keep it twisting! When I am in the process I love to look over what I have already written and then have some fun...what if he did this but she didn't know? Add a BIG secret that leaves readers on the edge of their seats! As I call it "it's a little bit twist" 

• Allow the characters to have a life of their own. If you are writing a young English rose, let her speak as such, if he is a rough and tumble cowboy, let him take a spit between his drawling sentences! 

•  Don't be afraid to be daring. It's your book. Write what you want to write about and don't be scared of the hard topics. Science fiction is a hard genre to break into, but it didn't stop me from writing my novel. If it’s relevant to you story, discuss some topics that are confronting to some people, religion, war, death etc. 

• Release yourself to the story. Let the story tell itself through you, the storyteller. At the end of it all, just write your book, because the last and final point is: 

•  REVISE, revise, revise. Read your book at least three times over before you send it into the world. Prior to this I revise each and every chapter several times. Find an assessment service (near you) and get an expert opinion.

•  Then after these revisions, get it PROFESSIONALLY EDITED!! 

•  But most of all... Have fun. I know I enjoyed bringing my characters to life; they are wonderful!

Awe...

What inspires you? 
Big question! 
Do you remember the last time your heart, body and mind were in complete unison?
Were you awestruck at the sight of something?

Imagine seeing the grand canyon or Ayers Rock (Uluru) for the first time. 

Or better yet, the first time you saw the Earth from above. 
 
Keep imagining what it would be like to see our little blue planet from space for the first time! 
For me, it is a life long dream, wish, desire... need I go on!
I guess that's what inspires me to write science fiction. To look up and see the billions of stars that twinkle at us through the atmosphere. Once you get through the atmosphere, they don't twinkle anymore! The idea of being in space, of seeing my beloved little planet for the first time; well that is my idea of true awe. It is what inspires me. 
I hope your inspiration brings you great joy.

Where to find inspiration?

Inspiration strikes anywhere, anytime. 
Look at people on the street, or where ever you find yourself... each one has a story to tell! 

What interests you? Do you like model trains? Do you like space and telescopes? Do you like being in love? Whatever your passion, go with that when starting out.

Before you launch into the novel of your dreams, a short story is a wonderful outlet to get your own individual style on paper. It is a great way to express what has meaning to you. Think of it as a warm up to the main event. Whatever it is that you want to write about, enjoy the process!