For the novels I wrote before selling anything, I didn't outline much. I had a vague idea of the story.

Quote by George Stephen

Topics: George Stephen Quotes

When I decided to take writing seriously, I did a lot of reading and analyzing...

When I decided to take writing seriously, I did a lot of reading and analyzing...

I spent two months on the first draft, working 8 hours a day, five days...

I spent two months on the first draft, working 8 hours a day, five days...

I got up with my wife, I sat down at the computer when she went...

I got up with my wife, I sat down at the computer when she went...

I'm a fan of short horror fiction... in fact, the most memorable horror I've read...

I'm a fan of short horror fiction... in fact, the most memorable horror I've read...

Actually, the 14 novels were written over a period of just over 6 years.

Actually, the 14 novels were written over a period of just over 6 years.

So, I outlined a horror novel and started writing.

So, I outlined a horror novel and started writing.

Trying to break into the horror market seemed natural.

Trying to break into the horror market seemed natural.

So, in effect, my first sale was actually two books.

So, in effect, my first sale was actually two books.

I've been reading horror since I was five years old.

I've been reading horror since I was five years old.

Many of my short stories (all unpublished) were horror, and the novel I'd just finished...

Many of my short stories (all unpublished) were horror, and the novel I'd just finished...

Even the contemporary horror authors who have seriously influenced me are a disparate bunch.

Even the contemporary horror authors who have seriously influenced me are a disparate bunch.

For each book, the time is also broken up.

For each book, the time is also broken up.

During that first year, I felt guilty that my wife was out working bringing in...

During that first year, I felt guilty that my wife was out working bringing in...

In the first year, 1988, I wrote and sold 3 novels.

In the first year, 1988, I wrote and sold 3 novels.

When I was a teenager, I got into SF, quite heavily, and that too has...

When I was a teenager, I got into SF, quite heavily, and that too has...

The way I outline has changed quite a bit from when I first started writing.

The way I outline has changed quite a bit from when I first started writing.

The benefit of this kind of outlining is that you discover a story's flaws before...

The benefit of this kind of outlining is that you discover a story's flaws before...

A couple of weeks after that, Zebra Books phoned with an offer, and I accepted.

A couple of weeks after that, Zebra Books phoned with an offer, and I accepted.

On the other hand, now that I'm not dependent on fiction for my income, I've...

On the other hand, now that I'm not dependent on fiction for my income, I've...