Advice from Jamie Ford | Writing advice from leading authors

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Already an award-winning short-story writer, Jamie Ford also proved to be a bestselling novelist! How does he do it? Read on!

Q: What is your method for overcoming writer’s block?
A: For me, writer's block is my subconscious telling me that what I'm working on kinda sucks. And in almost every instance it has something to do with my ending--that my ending isn't sound, or what I'm writing will ultimately conflict with the directionality of my story. I look at those two areas and figure out what's not working, cut, go back to the taproot of my story and proceed from there.

Q: What are your favorite or most helpful writing prompts?
A: My most helpful writing prompts are always based in non-fiction, old maps, old photos, old magazines from the 40s, etc. But, historical fiction is kinda my thing.

Q: What is the most valuable advice you received as a young writer?
A: At the Squaw Valley Writers Conference, Mark Childress asked, "Which do you like better -- writing, or the idea of being a writer?" A great question all aspiring writers should ask themselves. Because if you like the IDEA of being a writer, you can buy a black turtleneck, a Vespa, and hang out at Starbucks -- you can have all of the affectations of being a writer without the hard work. It's a much easier path to follow.

> Visit Jamie online at jamieford.com
> Order a copy of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet