Ask the Author: Jon Ray
Answered Questions (6)
Jon Ray
The hardest thing about writing is...writing.
The basics to getting started are having a story ideas, at least a beginning, middle and ending. Then bullet point those with major plot points and events within your story. After you have this, you're ready to begin filling in the blanks between points.
Set yourself two word count goals. One for the entire book, the other as your daily goal to get to entire book number. Stick to it, stay focused, and write.
The basics to getting started are having a story ideas, at least a beginning, middle and ending. Then bullet point those with major plot points and events within your story. After you have this, you're ready to begin filling in the blanks between points.
Set yourself two word count goals. One for the entire book, the other as your daily goal to get to entire book number. Stick to it, stay focused, and write.
Jon Ray
For me it's movies, music, travel, computer games or reading. What I read is usually not fiction either, I read accounts of history, psychology, and How-To. I find that I'm most inspired when I'm forced to be bored and would much rather be doing anything other than what I'm currently doing. But the greatness in writing comes in the moments of actually writing and your own writing can inspire.
Jon Ray
For me it's creating fantastical worlds for others to read and be entertained. If I can aid one into escaping reality, I've done my job. Feedback, praise, and admiration are welcomed as well ;) .
Jon Ray
I'm also a screenwriter for film and one of the things I've carried over into my novel writing from screenwriting is a bullet point outline. Before I even begin to write a novel, I have to have a fully fleshed out story outline from start to finish. I do the discovery writing in between those bullet points to tie everything together. Using this method I rarely have writer's block when writing, the most blockage comes while trying to craft an entertaining outline. Another thing is, if you've created good strong characters, they will basically lead you as the writer on the journey of the tale.
Jon Ray
I'm currently writing a follow-up to my first fantasy novel titled "Gorp: Dungeon Overlord". I hope to have a 3rd book in the Gorp series completed manuscript wise by sometime in Dec. 2017.
Jon Ray
While running my own home games of Dungeons & Dragons as the Dungeon Master, I would play the roles of the monsters. Sometimes, while the party was trying to make up their minds of what to do next, I would create backstories for some of the encounters and saw from the perspective of the opposite side. I've also enjoyed PC games such as Dungeon Keeper, where you are the mad overlord of the dungeon and have to do dungeon management. It was only a matter of time before I created an underdog goblin, with a heart of gold and called him Gorp.
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