Laila Ibrahim
I have to really want the story of particular characters to be in the world. I was very reluctant to write Yellow Crocus because I didn't know that I could do it and I knew it would be a lot of work. But the characters would not get out of my head. For seven years they kept popping up. That's where is where my inspirations comes from for my writing in the largest sense.
In the more immediate, day to day, I set artificial time boundaries and deadlines. For example I'll ask friends to read a draft. If they say yes, I tell them the date I will get it to them, so I'll be motivated to finish by that date. Or I will calendar writing for 2 hours. Then I just sit in front of the computer and wait for words to flow. If I get stuck, I just move onto a place where I'm not stuck. I think being stuck means I'm on the wrong track.
In the more immediate, day to day, I set artificial time boundaries and deadlines. For example I'll ask friends to read a draft. If they say yes, I tell them the date I will get it to them, so I'll be motivated to finish by that date. Or I will calendar writing for 2 hours. Then I just sit in front of the computer and wait for words to flow. If I get stuck, I just move onto a place where I'm not stuck. I think being stuck means I'm on the wrong track.
More Answered Questions
Shirley Garmon
asked
Laila Ibrahim:
I absolutely loved both the Yellow Crocus and Mustard Seed. I have already purchased your other two books to read next. I found myself getting confused with all the characters in Mustard Seed so I made a list of them and how they are related. I think that would be helpful to include in the book/Audible version. I read thru Audible so maybe this is already in the book? but just thought I'd suggest it. Keep Writing!
Elizabeth Cart
asked
Laila Ibrahim:
Hello Laila, I am an avid reader and you are one of my favorites already. I love to write myself! I feel you captured the heart of a story with Paper Wife and I cannot put the book down! Oddly, and I have no understanding of this, I feel drawn to Asian stories yet have no interest whatsoever of visiting those countries. Did you do historical research as to marriage customs of Chinese?
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