Ask the Author: Sidney Bell
Answered Questions (11)
Sidney Bell
Hi Idit! I'm very happy you enjoyed the book! It really made my day to hear from you. As for anime, I'm afraid I'm not much of a fan. I suppose Cowboy Bebop is my favorite of the ones I've seen, followed by S5 of JoJo (also the only season I could get into, actually) and then I managed to finish and enjoy all of Fullmetal. I've tried some others, but I just can't seem to get that into it as a narrative form. I wish I could, because some of them seem great.
I put anime into Bad Judgment mostly because it seemed like the sort of media that a nervous kid like Embry would find rewarding as an emotional outlet. I think he would've had a secret crush on Spike in Bebop as a teenager, and wished he could be that confident. (But then, who doesn't wish they were as cool as Spike?)
Now, Embry's interest in video games--that's all me IRL :D
I put anime into Bad Judgment mostly because it seemed like the sort of media that a nervous kid like Embry would find rewarding as an emotional outlet. I think he would've had a secret crush on Spike in Bebop as a teenager, and wished he could be that confident. (But then, who doesn't wish they were as cool as Spike?)
Now, Embry's interest in video games--that's all me IRL :D
Sidney Bell
Thank you! It's really nice to hear that! And yes, I am writing. I sort of talked about it in a blog post a while back (not in much depth, so don't get your hopes up too high for details). I've put the link below in case you're interested. I can't say more than that at the moment, but I promise, I'm getting pages as fast as I can. ;D
http://www.sidneybell.com/blog/2018/9...
http://www.sidneybell.com/blog/2018/9...
Sidney Bell
Hi Kathleen! I don't plan to write a sequel for the book, though I'm pleased you enjoyed it enough to ask. I hope that's not too disappointing! I do have a couple of other books you can look at, though--the first in my Woodbury Boys trilogy, Loose Cannon, is out now, and the second will be out in a little over a month, if you're interested. You can find them both on my author page. Take care! ;D
Sidney Bell
Thank you! I'm so pleased you've enjoyed my books!
And there are plans for another one! I'm working on Tobias's book, the second in the Woodbury Boys trilogy, right now. There's no release date yet, but I'll keep everyone posted on my website and social media. I won't let you miss it ;D
And there are plans for another one! I'm working on Tobias's book, the second in the Woodbury Boys trilogy, right now. There's no release date yet, but I'll keep everyone posted on my website and social media. I won't let you miss it ;D
Sidney Bell
Hi Dia! The next Woodbury Boys book will be Tobias's, and then Ghost's will complete the trilogy. I don't have a release date for either of them yet, unfortunately. I'd love to get it out sometime near the end of the year, but I think the beginning of 2018 might be more likely. Really, it all depends on my publisher's schedule.
I'm thrilled you enjoyed the book so much, though! And thank you so much for saying so!
I'm thrilled you enjoyed the book so much, though! And thank you so much for saying so!
Sidney Bell
This is an extremely tough question to answer, but I'd probably have to say Milla and Diaz from Linda Howard's Cry No More. Milla's an excellent example of a strong female character. A lot of romance heroines struggle with that--they're often watered down, and too sweet or incompetent to ever be truly believable. But Milla's got remarkable willpower, she's smart and very capable, and she never flinches from the path she's determined to follow. But what really makes this novel amazing is the hero, because the development of his love for Milla completely takes my breath away.
At first glance, Diaz seems like your stereotypical alpha male, but as the book goes on, he proves himself far more complex: loyal instead of possessive, knowledgeable without being arrogant, and willing to follow Milla's lead and learn from her strengths. Diaz's feelings for Milla grow in fits and starts, with each deepening provoked by moments where his expectations of her are completely surpassed by the reality of her.
By the time the final plot twist is revealed, it's clear that Diaz feels nothing less than awe for this woman. Rather than falling into sappy, overwrought (and frankly unrealistic) promises of love like so many heroes, though, Diaz demonstrates his devotion with fierce loyalty and quiet, selfless emotional support. I've read this book from start to finish probably a dozen times, but I've read the last quarter of it probably another dozen on top of that because it's simply that gut-wrenchingly affecting.
At first glance, Diaz seems like your stereotypical alpha male, but as the book goes on, he proves himself far more complex: loyal instead of possessive, knowledgeable without being arrogant, and willing to follow Milla's lead and learn from her strengths. Diaz's feelings for Milla grow in fits and starts, with each deepening provoked by moments where his expectations of her are completely surpassed by the reality of her.
By the time the final plot twist is revealed, it's clear that Diaz feels nothing less than awe for this woman. Rather than falling into sappy, overwrought (and frankly unrealistic) promises of love like so many heroes, though, Diaz demonstrates his devotion with fierce loyalty and quiet, selfless emotional support. I've read this book from start to finish probably a dozen times, but I've read the last quarter of it probably another dozen on top of that because it's simply that gut-wrenchingly affecting.
Sidney Bell
I'm so pleased you're enjoying the book! That's always nice to hear! As for a printed copy, my publisher, Carina Press, is a digital-first imprint, so only a few titles end up in a print or audiobook format. Unfortunately, there are no plans right now to do either for Bad Judgment. I hope that's not too disappointing, but if that changes, I'll be sure to post it on my blog here and on my website. I appreciate the interest, though!
Sidney Bell
Read. Read everything. Read fiction. Read non-fiction. Read comics. Read blogs. Read grocery lists. Read romance and literary fiction and mysteries. Read stuff you love. Read stuff you hate. Read stuff that's too hard. Read stuff that makes you angry. Read translated works. Read poetry. Just read.
At its heart, writing is about being part of a conversation between yourself and a reader. Reading is how you keep your voice from echoing.
At its heart, writing is about being part of a conversation between yourself and a reader. Reading is how you keep your voice from echoing.
Sidney Bell
Okay, I'm about to get super nerdy here, but in my experience, writer's block isn't about being stuck so much as lacking the raw materials needed to build a story.
If I get stuck on a scene, it's usually because the previous scenes are missing something. A character might not be developed well enough, or a previous plot point isn't working, or I've got dialogue that's running counter to the mood I want to build. If the previous scenes aren't stable, the current scene turns into a table with a shaky leg. Stuff's gonna wobble and fall. If you don't know your characters and the plot and thematic elements you're addressing, it's gonna feel like pulling teeth. 100% of the time, going back and analyzing what went wrong fixes the problem for me.
If I get stuck looking for new ideas, it's usually because I haven't had enough time lately to read. An infusion of fresh, challenging ideas is crucial to inspiration. Writers have to take in new stories the same way chefs have to try new dishes and doctors have to learn new techniques. It's the only way to keep progressing. In this instance, sitting down and running through some new books and noting things that I think a writer is doing really well or that I find original is all I need to get the juices flowing.
Either way, writer's block is all about finding laying a foundation, either within your own words or someone else's.
If I get stuck on a scene, it's usually because the previous scenes are missing something. A character might not be developed well enough, or a previous plot point isn't working, or I've got dialogue that's running counter to the mood I want to build. If the previous scenes aren't stable, the current scene turns into a table with a shaky leg. Stuff's gonna wobble and fall. If you don't know your characters and the plot and thematic elements you're addressing, it's gonna feel like pulling teeth. 100% of the time, going back and analyzing what went wrong fixes the problem for me.
If I get stuck looking for new ideas, it's usually because I haven't had enough time lately to read. An infusion of fresh, challenging ideas is crucial to inspiration. Writers have to take in new stories the same way chefs have to try new dishes and doctors have to learn new techniques. It's the only way to keep progressing. In this instance, sitting down and running through some new books and noting things that I think a writer is doing really well or that I find original is all I need to get the juices flowing.
Either way, writer's block is all about finding laying a foundation, either within your own words or someone else's.
Sidney Bell
Working in your pajamas.
Sidney Bell
Currently I'm revising my next book, which is the first in a romantic-suspense trilogy about three boys who meet at a treatment facility for troubled teens. It's in rough shape at the moment, but it's getting better. Slowly...very slowly...
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