Ask the Author: Beth Webb
Answered Questions (12)
Beth Webb
Two old men were digging turnips – one turned to the other and said, 'You know, I don't believe in ghosts.' The other said, 'That's a shame!' and disappeared.
Beth Webb
I'd go to one of the parallel earths in 'The Long Earth' (Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. I'd live somewhere fresh, clean and uncrowded, grow my own food and make up stories to help prevent war and murder.
Beth Webb
The early death of an aunt in the 1920s, and the immediate remarriage of her widowed husband...
Beth Webb
I have a huge pile of all sorts by my bed waiting to be read. I went through my book cases a few months ago and picked out everything I hadn't read... So it's everything from Siobhan Dowd to archaeology!
Beth Webb
Hi Alicia, lovely to hear from you.
I got the idea for Tegen in Star Dancer while taking a class of young writers to a reconstructed Iron Age village near where I live (replicating live 2000 years ago). I was teaching the students to sit by the fire in the hut and day dream what life was like for ancient people - or to imagine what was going on in this very hut, two thousand years ago...
And it worked for me too! Tegen's story came to me.
You can find out loads more here: http://www.stardancerbooks.com/
Yes, I love Sherlock, in fact one of my sons is an extra in a couple of episodes, which makes me very proud. And as for Dr Who, well, many, many years ago, I met William Hartnell, who was the first Doctor. (I was very young!!!) I love Doctor Who, and 'Weeping Angels' has to be my favourite episode. What's yours?
Very best wishes, Beth
I got the idea for Tegen in Star Dancer while taking a class of young writers to a reconstructed Iron Age village near where I live (replicating live 2000 years ago). I was teaching the students to sit by the fire in the hut and day dream what life was like for ancient people - or to imagine what was going on in this very hut, two thousand years ago...
And it worked for me too! Tegen's story came to me.
You can find out loads more here: http://www.stardancerbooks.com/
Yes, I love Sherlock, in fact one of my sons is an extra in a couple of episodes, which makes me very proud. And as for Dr Who, well, many, many years ago, I met William Hartnell, who was the first Doctor. (I was very young!!!) I love Doctor Who, and 'Weeping Angels' has to be my favourite episode. What's yours?
Very best wishes, Beth
Beth Webb
I assume by 'couple' you mean in a romantic way? I'd plump for Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. Why? because, unlike other detectives, once Lord Peter and Harriet get married, they form a strong working relationship as well as a romance I can believe in.
Beth Webb
My young-CSI idea came from having a good friend who's a real CSI - plus the landscape of the Quantock hills, which I love. I then added a few teenagers I know, one of whom really does put coloured sprinkles all over their food when they feel stressed. I mixed in some psychic ability for fun... and Bingo! A tale called 'Skin and Bone' was born.
Beth Webb
I always have a notebook somewhere nearby, and if I get an idea from something I see or hear, I scribble it down. Ideas come from anywhere and anywhere, usually at the most inconvenient times.
For example, Fleabag was a real three legged, flea-ridden black cat - and his character was the cat's owner. I put the two together, then I added my Mum's beautiful opal ring which has a 'fire' in it's heart. I let the ideas settle down together, make some notes and see what happens.
For example, Fleabag was a real three legged, flea-ridden black cat - and his character was the cat's owner. I put the two together, then I added my Mum's beautiful opal ring which has a 'fire' in it's heart. I let the ideas settle down together, make some notes and see what happens.
Beth Webb
I'm working on two ideas: a Victorian YA 'Why done it?' and a modern sort of Young CSI idea. Watch this space!
Beth Webb
I've written quite lot on my website, check out my 'advice for writers' page. www.bethwebb.co.uk. I hope it helps!
Beth Webb
Being allowed to sit and daydream - and get paid for it!
Beth Webb
I think 'writer's block' is probably different for different people. For me, I can I wring myself dry - or maybe get stuck for ideas.
When I'm wrung dry - usually because I've been working too hard, I go to the library and get out a BIG bag of books 9on anything and everything), and just sit and read - not to steal ideas, but to feed my imagination and get it working again. Walking is good, gardening, going out to a concert or a play with friends.
If you drink a bottle of water dry, you have to fill it up again. In writing terms, that means filling up your head with fresh ideas.
If I have a deadline and there's no time to read, I try blowing bubbles. Taking a deep breath in gives oxygen to the brain, and watching the bubbles floating away is great relaxation!
If I'm just stuck for ideas, I try all the above, and I Story Stair my work to make sure I'm on track and heading towards my story's goal properly. (For how to use a Story Stair, check out my 'advice for writers' page on my website: www.bethwebb.co.uk)
When I'm wrung dry - usually because I've been working too hard, I go to the library and get out a BIG bag of books 9on anything and everything), and just sit and read - not to steal ideas, but to feed my imagination and get it working again. Walking is good, gardening, going out to a concert or a play with friends.
If you drink a bottle of water dry, you have to fill it up again. In writing terms, that means filling up your head with fresh ideas.
If I have a deadline and there's no time to read, I try blowing bubbles. Taking a deep breath in gives oxygen to the brain, and watching the bubbles floating away is great relaxation!
If I'm just stuck for ideas, I try all the above, and I Story Stair my work to make sure I'm on track and heading towards my story's goal properly. (For how to use a Story Stair, check out my 'advice for writers' page on my website: www.bethwebb.co.uk)
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more