The Forum

Since it is natural to be intrigued by those people who are gifted in areas one is not, I start this thread wondering about artful writing.

Conn, what do you attribute most to your ability to use your talent to write on such a captivating level?

If he answers with anything other than "It's what comes into my head" I'll be intigued.


Can you answer your own question? I'm not sure that I could, but then, I don't have much talent for anything. I'm pretty good at growing old, but that's because I haven't died, yet.

It can be arranged......

Answer my own question? Of course not, that's why I'm asking Conn!

You couldn't possibly mean that I should venture a reply assuming that I am capable of writing on any impressive level.

It's possible. For me it's readable, believable dialogue, I think (though it took someone else to point that out).

Lawrence

How kind of you to say it's possible.

I've been away for a few days, so I didn't see this. The simple answer is that I don't know, at least consciously. I am aware that having read a great deal - and in doing so, kept mental notes as to what worked on me - so that when I plan a scene, I have a wealth of that experience to draw from. My wife complains that though I appear incapable of remembering anyone's birthday and sometimes even my own, I seem to remember tiny details of stories. For some reason, they stick, so I can usually tell a good one, if someone asks me to.

Conn

It makes sense that you would amass a mental file of resources that way. Thinking about it now, when I read about famous artists from the past they would often go to even great lengths sometimes to study what others had done.

Just with my card making I look at other crafters' creations for inspiration in the manner you described.

I think what puts you at a higher level than most writers is the ability to use these observations instinctively. When I mix colours for painting pictures, I 'just do it' rather than refer to colour wheels.

It seems your instinct is what separates you as gifted from the rest.

In Dubai, we were taken to the desert and shown three falcons - one gyr-falcon called Abigail and two smaller ones. It was interesting to see how a crowd of about sixty boiled down to about eight - mostly writers who were sucking up information on the sport, the lifespans of the birds, the breeding, anything he could tell us. I was aware that I have to cover the fall of Baghdad in the nex book and knowing something about falconry will be useful. One lady writer even took notes, while I recorded my impressions - the incredible speed and accuracy of the birds (200 mph top), as well as the weight of it on my arm when I held one of the smaller ones. I think authors do that a lot - record interesting things to use again.

Conn

Hawks, and Garth Nix? Jeeze Louise! Where's a jealousy smilie when you need one?

I have a notebook and a very fine pen I carry everywhere I go. I jot stuff down, desrcibe (for my notebook) peolpe I see on the tube and allow myself to wonder why they are dressed the way they are, if they are happy; sad; nuts, etc and again ...why.

I also now read books with a different eye than I used to. It's a pleasure to read Conn's work and most recently, Joe Abercrombie among others. Some make me cringe. Paulo Bacigalupi's 'Wind up Girl' is great stuff too.

You'll read or hear the same advice everywhere you look. Read, read, read and write, write, write. You have to train yourself to open your mind and you eyes to the world around you.


At least ...that's what works for me.