Connecting with other Authors

When I started writing it was very much a solitary endeavour. Even though Antony has been with me from the start, he does the art and cover design and like me he does this locked away in his world. Only surfacing every now and then when hunger calls or perhaps a toilet break lures you from the computer. It was only last year that I met another author, I found it exhilarating being in the company of someone who actually knew where I was coming from.

I found it interesting how other authors approach different situations. What has been even better is the authors I have met through twitter, a diverse crowd of people who are all like minded and wonderfully talented. Some are serious some are funny, but they are all fascinating. I must say I have been lucky enough to communicate with a few by email and I have found them to be gracious and generous people who are also very supportive. I really don't feel so alone anymore when I write. I know I have the support of people I have never even met. Thanks everyone your a cool bunch, you know who you are. So don't hesitate If you are a writer, an artist, or whatever. Join the world community and be sociable it's nice not to be alone.

Kev

My characters

When I started writing I had some characters in mind, I stuck with them and was very happy with their growth. The thing that surprises me even today is the characters that pop in and are totally unplanned. When I start writing as I've said before I have a general outline but no rigid plan I have to follow. So what that means is that as my story meanders and wanders through the pages I sometimes come across characters that were unplanned, most of the time I can think on my feet as to their names and their lives. Twice now I have come across characters that have stumped me. Not so much where they belong in the story but more to do with their names you just can't rush into it and call them Bruce, George, or even Bill. Now there is nothing wrong with these names in real life, but for most stories you need stand out names for your characters you need punch, not just with your story but also with your characters.

You want them to be memorable, don't be hasty when you name them, take your time. I know it can be hard because you just want to get on with the story. Just recently I was stumped with a witch I needed to name. It held up the writing for about four months I found that I couldn’t carry on with that particular story until I named her. I was lucky that I had another novel on the go so I could write that one for a while and try to research a name for my witch. It took four months but it was worth it, the name I decided on really suited her. (I'm keeping her name to myself at the moment.) One I can share with you is Manjucus what a character he is, and he like my witch was a tough nut to crack with regards to his name. He is a good example, I knew that I had to give him a special name, you can't call a four and a half thousand year old soul stealer Pete. So to research his name I looked at what he was and how he dressed, so I went to the Queensland State Library and researched clowns. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed myself, when you research you find out obscure facts that can really enhance your stories. What I did find was a sixteenth century clown called Mandacus he would frighten the crowds by snarling and gnashing his teeth. I loved this idea and embraced it, changing the name slightly to suite my character. Hence Manjucus was born, I still get asked "how did you get his name?" and that's how, it's just research and a bit of imagination.

Using my experience to create a unique story.

When I sat down to write what is now called, 'Dream Raider' I started with a basic Idea which rapidly inflated and was hard to control. I think the reason why people get drawn into this story is because there is so much of myself in there. Like most people you get so busy and so caught with the mundane, we lose track of our selves, then we look at others and say "wow they lead an interesting life." Then we dismiss our own lives as boring, I know I did. I had never considered my life to be interesting or worth looking back on. Come to think of it though I was never told by anyone in my life that I was worthwhile. I have two brothers but have always felt alone, we just tolerated each other but most of the time we couldn't even do that.

Any sort of creativity was seen as a weakness or as something to be looked down upon, I can see now it was out of jealousy and petulance. I'm basically a gentle soul and I do tend to wear my heart on my sleeve it's another thing that's seen as a weakness and has been exploited in the past. In the world I grew up in your feelings and emotions were something to be hidden and not discussed they were not for public display. Much to my detriment at times my sensitivity would just pop out and leave me stranded and exposed in certain situations. So most of the time I would just end up being a loner, it's safer that way. The problem is, that tends to bring with it another set of problems, your then seen as antisocial when nothing could be further from the truth. You crave the company of others, you see them running and playing during the school breaks and all you want to is be invited in, but then you have to change to fit into their way, a vicious circle. We ride an awful lot of those in our lives, and don't they bite hard.

Paulette's reaction

The next morning I got to the course early, I remember Paulette walking up to the room where the course was being held I was seated outside, and she came up to me and said. "Where I'm staying is a little one bedroom flat, as I live a fair distance north of here. I read the first three chapters of your book last night," I remember breaking into her conversation with a quick fire "So what did you think?" You have to remember, I hadn't had any contact with a any other authors before and I really wanted some sort of acknowledgement or at least a professional opinion. "Well," she said as she took a deep breath. "Like I said I am staying at a little one bedroom apartment for the week end and I'm alone. When I had finished reading the three chapters, I had to get up and make sure that the soul stealer wasn't lurking behind my door."

Now this I wasn't expecting, I was stunned, I thought I was going to get constructive criticism, or perhaps a "Don't give up your day job." I certainly didn't expect Paulette to say that one of my imaginary characters was playing on her mind, it really was justification for me, I remember asking her, "is there anything I should do to improve it?" "No what you've done is wonderful," she said. "So as an author am I doing a good Job?" I hesitantly asked. "As an author you're doing a great Job Kev," was her response. I Remember taking real heart from those words and the determination level in me raised to heights I didn't think existed. I owe Paulette a real debt of thanks for her encouragement and support, she was exactly what this boy needed in his life at that time. Thank you Paulette.