“There are many stories I've wanted to write that I'm simply not able to - sometimes I haven't found the way in yet, and it doesn't matter how hard I try.” WayWritingTryingSometimesMatterHardStoriesAbleWantedFoundHavens Author:Mary J. Miller
“Sometimes the way comes later, when I'm not working or thinking about it at all. When stories don't work, you try to convince yourself that all of that time and energy wasn't wasted, that it will make you a better writer, if nothing else.” IfsThinkingWayTryingSometimesStoriesEnergyConvinceTime And Energy Author:Mary J. Miller
“Perhaps adding a line or two of dialogue to try to better capture an emotion. But I've found that if the story isn't there in the beginning, right from the start, I generally can't beat it into shape no matter how much rewriting I do.” IfsTryingTwoMatterStoriesFoundLinesEmotionShapesBeatsDialogueCaptureRewriting Author:Mary J. Miller
“It's something that's difficult to explain but I think all writers work this way to some extent, whether we're aware of it or not. For me, writing has little to do with thinking. I don't want to control the narrative. I listen to the rhythm of the words and dialogue and try to give the characters the space in which to say and do what they want without intervening too much.” ThinkingWayWantGivingWritingTryingLittlesCharacterDifficultSpaceToo MuchDialogueRhythmNarrativeIntervening Author:Mary J. Miller
“I try to think as little as possible, at least while working. I look at some of my early stories and can see the machination behind them, like a gear slowly moving. For example, sticking a dead father into the story to explain a character's sadness and bad decisions, or trying to impress myself with my own cleverness.” ThinkingTryingLooksLittlesCharacterStoriesMovingFatherMy OwnDecisionBehindsSadnessExampleImpressGearsClevernessBad DecisionDead Father Author:Mary J. Miller