Very interesting. Some things that immediately came to my mind:

Gaia-Town is a collaborative project I’m doing with Aditus. ... We only post a chapter each month or so.

 

That's entirely my fault because I'm such a slow writer. Which brings me to my question. You said you're in the planning stages of your next story. How do you do it? Write down snippets, ideas? Characterizations?

Cole is also an amazing beta-reader. I'm just saying...

Just in case I don't get here during the live chat later...

You have very inventive story ideas, like Substance P. Where do you get your inspirations?  Do they just come to you or do you have to dig to come up with ideas that intrigue you?

Cole is a joy to work with.  His attitude is great and takes all suggestions to heart.  Button and Advent both touch you heart in a special way.  Porcupines, his first story had a few bumps along the way,  but like all new writers "myself included", you learn as you go and he's grown by leaps and bounds.  He's one of my writers that I can leave my own work alone to work with him and don't regret it. 

Hope we see lots more from Cole.

Hi Addy,

Actually, I haven't even written Quarry yet so it's not you stretching 

Gaia Town out!! Lol! I have enjoyed writing it more leisurely than is the norm for me. I'm learning more because of it.

As to your question, in planning a story I write an initial chapter. I try to flesh out the main characters and jot some notes about where they are going. I can't say I outline really, but I do plan some main events informally in messy notes.  Thinking about what the characters would do occupies my break time at work. Then comes the writing the next chapter. Sometimes I have to change things in chapter one because the story forces it. 

Thanks for the great question Addy! Big hug for you buddy. 

Cole

Hi Kitt!

Great question. I had to ponder it for a few minutes. Last fall some writers here did an unofficial anthology for Halloween. They listed some classic horror genres and the mad scientist was one of them. I was too late to participate but it got me scheming. I set the idea aside until i was reading an article on a nurse who got PTSD from working with victims of abuse. From there Dr. Jason emerged. It took months for the full story to come together.

I guess my ideas come from many sources. Usually its a character who drives me to write his story.

Thanks!!!

Porcupines, his first story had a few bumps along the way,  but like all new writers "myself included", you learn as you go and he's grown by leaps and bounds.

That is so true. We learn by practice, revision, listening to the kind voices who tell us what they think, and editing our flaws. Jo Ann is right. You get better by listening to those who want to help. I've been blessed with lots of it along the way. Im getting better because of it.

Thanks Jo Ann!!! *smooch*

Thank you Valkyrie for all your help and encouragement. I'm always happy to help when I can.

My work is very technical and devoid of emotion for the most part. Separating my work and creative thoughts is easy for me. As little treats, I ponder Brent reaction to a hug from Craig for fifteen minutes, for example. Then I go back and figure out how to disclose a witness' reason for being presented at trial. 

I never write at work with one exception. Sometimes I'll get an idea and email it to myself.

I am enjoying your Dark and Dusty History corner. Will you be continuing it?

Thanks Dyno! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I will be posting once a month. Coming up next is a historic movie with a very interesting interlude. I think it's rather surprising and a little shocking considering when it was made.

Just a quick comment, Cole, that one of the reasons I really appreciate your work is that your characters often lose their dignity: behave in inappropriate ways, make dumb mistakes, treat other people badly--and then they find ways to regain their self-respect.  I like the realism and the compassion with which you treat them.

Thanks for the comment Irritable1! I'm so glad that is coming through. We are all flawed and I like to convey that quality in my characters. I like realism as well and since I'm a positive person I believe most of us try to redeem ourselves. 

I'm thrilled you said this. Quite the compliment I believe.

Cole, the other day you suggested to Sasha a song that might inspire him and he is now off and running with the idea. ( He says thanks BTW).  Do you ever take inspiration from song titles or lyrics?

Oh, that's great Kitt! Sasha's stories inspired by songs are so good, moving. 

I use music as an inspiration for some stories. For example, Porcupines was inspired by Lifehouse's Between the Raindrops. Chuck and Dylan's love story is filled with that song.

In Gaia-Town, I'm using songs as magic spells.  The song that plays through my head every time I read Button is Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach.

I'm a pianist so music is really part of the soundtrack of my writing. 

Thanks for such a great question!

A late question, but trying to sneak it in...

Your anthology piece, The Bachelor Farmer, was especially fascinating to me. The period piece was very well thought out and the historical feel was spot on. Where did that story concept come from?

I'm out of likes, but this is a wonderful question answer blog. Enjoyed it much:)

Hi Mann! I wrote a paper 13 years ago about the Genesis of the word 'Homosexual.' I'd been thinking about how to present those ideas in some context, I wasn't sure how. I had decided on present day, an argument between college professors, as the answer.

Then someone, I think Aditus, shamed me into participating in the anthology The Backup Plan. I couldn't think of a thing with that idea. I went down to visit my grandma and saw silos everywhere. Why did they invent silage? I did some research and found it was a kind of 'backup plan' to preserve cattle feed in the 1870's, 1880's originally in France.

The next piece is funny. I'd like to say it came to me in a dream but it didn't. I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder's books as a kid, she made me want to write. She wrote about the Saturday night bath.  I somehow mixed Kertbeny, life on the farm, and two men having a bath together and it became the story.  Oh God, it was the Minnesota story of those Norwegian bachelor farmers I'd overheard about as a kid.

It sounds so random when I write this, but it's how my mind works. It takes little bits and pieces and puts it together.  Ran laughed at my initial idea but he loved the result. So, that's how it came together.

It was great fun and I've learned so much about myself. Reflection like this is priceless. I highly recommend it. Thanks to all. Btw, I will still answer questions if you think of one later! 

Damn, I'm all out of likes too.

Cole, omg, I am so flattered that you mentioned me in your Q&A. It's been a pleasure working with you. Even though I haven't read everything that you have written, of all the stories I have read I can tell your writing is getting better and better. That's not to say it wasn't good to start with.

"Porcupines" was such a moving story and I think "Between the Raindrops" is a perfect song that expresses Chuck and Dylan's love for each other and their bumps along the way. I do have one complaint about the story though: you had me starving after each chapter!

"Substance P" was amazing and you captivated me from the first word. I haven't had time to read the new anthos (I am very late with that!), but I'm really looking forward to reading your piece. =)

My favorite story of yours though, has to be "Advent". I remember bugging you to update quicker. lol It was very hard to wait a whole week for another chapter. I was just blown away by the story. It really hit me emotionally; I thought it was such a beautiful story.

I'm having fun working with you and Addy on "Gaia-Town". I'm learning all new things about magic and elves and whatnot.

This was a great interview, Cole. Congratulations! You definitely deserve the recognition.

Thanks Lisa! 

I remember your kind words and gentle nudges from the very beginning of my posting of Porcupines so fondly. It kept me going in so many ways. I try to do the same with new GA authors when I can to pay your example forward. 

Working with you is a joy. Aditus and I are lucky to have your help with Gaia-Town. We're having a blast with it. You teach me so much about my own writing quirks and issues. 

Advent is a special story, it touches home to me. We all need those little helps in life. We all sometimes need a Cayden, as someone wrote.

Cole

Thank you, Cole! As a new writer on GA last year, you were the first person to reach out to me because you saw something in my story and encouraged me to keep writing. I've written a lot firsts with your support. I couldn't have asked for a better beta reader than you. You offer your opinion without forcing it. You've pulled a confidence out of me I didn't know I had when it came to writing. You're the best!

I love "Advent". I've reread it at least fifteen times since you've completed the story. Cayden's awesome.

Congratulations! You deserve to be recognized for writing such a great story. All the praise is well earned!

Thanks Huk! I appreciate the kind words. You make beta reading fun. I love watching your growth as a writer.

You deserve the recognition. Keep it up.