Using a Book to Write a Book

OK, you're all going to hate me for this, but YES, I'm using yet another Harry Potter reference. 

This might possibly be the last one for a while. 

Most definitely not the last one ever, though.

I couldn't NOT blog about Harry Potter like I couldn't NOT breathe. 

The end result would be something like this:

So anyways. The books I'm going to be using as examples is the Harry Potter series. 

No groans from the peanut gallery. 

The reason I'm using these is simple: they're the third best seller OF ALL TIME. 

Obviously she was onto something. 

Now when I say "use a book to write a book" I don't mean have it open on your desk ready to use its ideas. 

What I mean by that is that you should study the book. Watch its patterns, characters, etc.

I've already blogged about patterns in the HP series, now we're going to watch the author's behavior while writing the books. 

Don't give me that look, I didn't mean hide in her closet while she works. Sheesh. 

She's blogged while writing, done interviews on the way she writes, etc. 

Her advice goes something like this:

1. LOVE what you write, it WILL become you. 

In other words, you are part of your book. J.K. Rowling didn't put herself into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but we still associate it with her as though she had. 

2. If you need a break, take one. 

While you are taking a much needed break from your story, play a game on your computer. Minesweeper (like Jo) or solitaire (like me) or any other calming game pre-loaded on your computer. And I do mean calming. Don't play a game that boils your blood. You probably won't recover much writing that way.

3. Write while you're waiting to write.

I mean write other things. Build up the world, write character backgrounds, do something. 

While writing your book's equivalent of the Hogwarts Sorting Hat scene, you get stumped. Don't stare at the computer screen. Start writing the background of the hat, or of the kid under the hat. This stuff may not ever make it into the book... but you'll have a really thorough knowledge of your world. And if your fan group is as ravenous as hers, you'll have more to give them after the book is over. 

That's all I have to give you on this topic. 

Here's a summary for those of you who like to skim:

-Study patterns in books.

-Figure out what successful authors do while writing their books.

-Never stop looking for tips from well-to-do authors. 

-Always brush your teeth.

OK, that last one wasn't in there. I just threw that out so you would go back and re-read it trying to find that particular sentence. 

Until next time,