Summary
1. Research
You need to do your research. But don’t fall too in love with it! How much is the right amount of research? 3 ways Gilligan suggests doing research:
- Read
- Listen to speech patterns if possible and/or look for vocabulary or words frequently used
- Walk the area if you can
In my recent interview with Christopher Golden, he discusses the ways he researches the settings for his novel.
Link for more with Christopher Golden
2. Plotting
She loves plotting. It doesn’t have to be a stifling process. Instead, it can be the creative process that helps you know where you’re headed. If you’re like me, you write off in tangents. It’s helpful to plot so you have a cohesive story.
Gilligan meticulously plans her novels. For her, that’s the fun!
3. Editing can be…fun?
Gilligan talks about looking at editing as making your book even better. Find someone you trust and let that person tell you how to make your book better than it was before. Don’t be too attached to your work. Be prepared to make changes that will improve it!
Quotes
- “I plan within an inch of my life…I spend ages on the architecture/engineering part of it.” – Ruth Gilligan
- “You basically get someone really clever who reads your book and then tells you all these things that you were doing that you didn’t even realize you were doing. And then makes all these suggestions about how to make the book even better.” – Ruth Gilligan
Question
- Are you approaching editing with the right mindset? I’m guilty of taking on the editing process begrudgingly. But Gilligan made me reconsider the way I think about my editing, even the kind I do on my own. So do you take on your edits with a smile on your face?
If you’re interested in listening to the entire podcast, you can click here.
