Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Writing

  • Do you have any particular habits when you write?

    I usually write at night (too many distractions during the day) and hole up in my little office, tapping away while I guzzle coffee. I sometimes listen to music (classical and jazz –nothing with lyrics) for a bit of mood. When I’m on a roll, I’ll see the sun come up and keep plowing ahead. When I’m not on a roll, I’ll stagger off to bed and curse myself for that last cup of coffee.


  • Do you write by hand or do you work on a computer?

    I brainstorm and doodle in notebooks, but I do my writing on the computer. While I recognize that’s not nearly so romantic an image as painstaking, handwritten manuscripts, I’ve found it to be far more efficient. I think this is particularly true for me as I’m an exceedingly visual person – I like to see how words look on a page and the react to them. On a computer, I can do this quickly and make whatever changes I choose. When writing by hand, this can be particularly tedious and I find that whenever I’m tempted to write out particular sections in longhand, I quickly retreat to the computer.


  • Are there any particular writers you admire?

    There are a tremendous number of authors whom I admire, but if I had to single a few out… Nobody who writes a fantasy book can ignore J.R.R. Tolkien – I read The Lord of the Rings every year (appendices too!) and am consistently stumped by the sheer scale of the world he created, its back history, geography, etc. For sheer scale and originality, it’s hard to imagine anything ever quite competing. P.G. Wodehouse is a magnificent role model for writing humor – his restraint, timing, and surgical use of the English language for comedic effect is really unparalleled. Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series are well-worn and humbling reminders that I will never create books with such beautiful use of language, depth of character, or insight into the human condition. His books are simply a wonderful read, time and time again. I cannot recommend them more. I love Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (although I don’t love his other work), Toni Morrison’s use of language, etc.


  • What have you particularly enjoyed about creating this series?

    Writing and illustrating brings out the best in me—a sense of fun and playfulness, creativity and optimism that can otherwise be smothered by day-to-day responsibilities. When I finish a chapter, brainstorm a plot twist, or envision a new character, I’m not worrying about bills or doing the laundry. I get a jolt of excitement and energy that’s very invigorating and has a bit of the Old Magic in it…. It’s been tremendously satisfying to complete such a large and multi-faceted project.


Back