Interview with Dakota Scott

Khayrun Gure: What helps draw inspiration when writing?

Dakota Scott: Usually music and going for a walk. Walking helps me clear my head and make sure I’m not too focused on one specific aspect of what I’m writing. Usually the music I’m listening to sets the tone for the type of energy my writing takes on that day.

KG: What does writer's block mean to you?

DS: Writer's block is either having a lot of ideas and not knowing what to write or not having any ideas at all.

KG: What is the most difficult part about your writing process?

DS: For the anthology it really came to the amount that I can actually fit because I’m not good at making sure things are small. I’ve put way too many words in my assignments before. I end having to go back and think about what parts I’m willing to sacrifice for my writing.

KG: How do you develop your plot and characters?

DS: Well, I usually have my idea of the plot and events that are going to be key components. Once I have a story going the characters will write themselves based on how I know they will behave in certain situations and how quickly they move on from one to another and progress through the plot. As for developing characters, a lot end up really apathetic and angry and not caring enough to have more patience in the world.

KG: What’s your favourite novel?

DS: That is a tough one. I will have to go with a recent one I read called Notorious Sorcerer. It is a very fun tale.

KG: Do you have a genre you aren’t a fan of reading?

DS: Well, I’ve never been fond of romance and psychological horror. I’m fine reading a bit of romance that has another overarching plot, but romance on its own being a main plot has never been appealing to me. And while I do like different types of horror, psychological horror manages to get under my skin.