ILONA ANDREWS

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

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Comments

  1. That was really awesome to see. However, I started the video out at the automatic speed and believed that y’all had superpowers. There is no way I’ll ever be able to write the amazing stories you do at that speed. Then I checked the box to play at normal speed and you became human again. It was comforting.
    Thank you for the example.

    • Oh I had not realised that wasn’t normal speed, I just thought the AL were professional typists. My sister trained as a professional secretary and I used to watch her out type the word-processing programme and have to stop and wait for it to catch up. I thought this demonstration was something like that, now I feel like an idiot.

      It’s odd that with widespread use of computers, highspeed touch typing seems to be on the decline, I guess if they get those voice recognition programmes working it will become an obsolete skill.

      • I can type fast, at about 100 wpm at the top speed, although now probably significantly less. The slow typing is because I’m thinking. 🙂

        • That was both a fantastic insight to writing (while editing) in the age of word processors and entertaining with the back-tracking edits for emphasising, set up, and real life interruptions.

          Great post.

          (I mention word processors, because I’ve taken to writing on legal pads for first drafts. Staring at a blank word processor entry feels more daunting to me than a blank page of paper. Editing and re-writes require more effort, as once you transcribe/edit from paper to computer, it lends a sense of completion, even when the work isn’t halfway complete yet.)

        • Ilona

          Apologies if that sounded like a criticism of your typing speed it was not intended that way. The chapters are unexpected gifts not obligations and everyone you kindly provide is most welcome.

          In regards to the typing I used to watch my sister with fascination she could do about 120 words per minute copy typing and get the spelling and punctuation right first time it was an amazing skill. The best I ever tested at was 70wpm and I could not keep that up plus don’t ask about the spelling and grammar.

          She developed fibromyalgia in her early twenties starting in her hands and while she can still type she pays for it latter, watching the speed typing just triggered a good memory for me.

          My comment on it being a declining skill is more that it offends logic to me when everyone types daily, it would seem to be a useful skill but it’s no longer seems to be taught in schools.

          Again apologise if my original post seemed critical, I’m not that good at communicating no offense was intended.

          • I’m sorry for your sister.
            I learned touch typing at an early age – apprentice typesetter, copy typing.
            I can do 120-130 wpm when I really get going but my accuracy’s slipped a little (as you might have noticed from my posts) now I’m in a different trade. I rattle of a post in 10 seconds then realise I’ve made a mistake.
            Touch-typing is a declining skillset – it shouldn’t be. The day we can actually talk to computers (forget Siri et al) is long off. The “paperless office” has been promised since the 50’s and that hasn’t happened yet. Keyboards are how we use computers and touch typing should absolutely be taught in schools.

            • Witness “of a post” instead “off a post” above! I typed that in under a minute, but I didn’t check it. When will I learn?!? 🙂

        • Ilona – That’s so great about the snippet watched in real time, rather than speeded up. We can see you *thinking*, juggling options, making different choices. Typing speed is a very much secondary consideration.

    • Ha ha, I did the same thing! Yes, that was fascinating to see and a great way to illustrate how much effort it takes to get words on paper. And I’m sure you already had a notion of what you wanted to write about, which also takes time to develop.

  3. I had to laugh when I read that. I can spend hours writing a letter.
    By the time I read and reread, changing wording and sentences around it takes a long time to organize my thoughts into understandable order. An author I will never be but I am an excellent reader. I prefer quality over quantity and am very thankful you keep your political opinion out of your books. Enjoy your Mother’s Day!

  4. We, as readers, are such a demanding bunch of selfish people. I apologize for not thinking of it sooner. Today is Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day and please don’t feel pressured into giving us, as readers, anything further today. We are blessed by you and your husbands imagination. Thank you for all you do!

  6. I grew up hearing my dad say that you can have it done fast or you can have it done right. So I totally agree with fast cheap or good. Even though I understand the feeling behind ‘why so long’ it sounds more like the kids in the car and ‘are we there yet?’ than truly disrespectful. They will learn. The BDH will school them.

    On a lighter note. Happy Mother’s Day to Ilona. May your day be filled with family and happiness.

  7. Happy Mother’s Day! Next time, ignore the rude questions. We’ll wait no matter how long it takes…well, some of us may die in the meantime…well, no pressure. Happy Mother’s Day!

  8. Not sure how people have the nerve to complain about free stuff but they do. Humans huh! Thank you for all your hard work. Happy Mother’s Day! ?

  9. Happy Mother’s Day, Ilona. Sorry you have to work today. Just curious, why don’t you dictate? Or is that cumbersome when using Microsoft? What ever works for you 2, there simply are no better story tellers, NONE!

  12. The answer is simple. You write intelligent, carefully crafted novels not pig swill. We can wait. Go enjoy Mother’s Day with your family

  13. Oh lord, I’m not the only one! This made my day. I don’t know why, but I always assumed most writers were able to just whip this stuff out. Thank you for this. Very enlightening! And Happy Mothers Day!

  14. Wow – fun to witness the process. Felt like peeking over your shoulder!! I’m always so envious on how prolific you are, the multiple projects you have going at a time, and that you can even do such a fabulous chapter each week (when life doesn’t interrupt.)
    It would be beyond my meager skills, absolutely.
    Thank you for what we get – when we get it!! Amazing gift to your readers. Happy Mother’s Day to you – hope you are resting and relaxing as it sounds like you’ve had your share of stress recently!

  15. I get being in impatient, I really do, but whoever wrote that email needs to take several seats — the writing takes as long as it takes and I’m grateful that you make the effort to share so many extras with us, including today’s post!

  16. It seems obvious to me that the person asking that question has never tried to write a book. Or pretty much anything ogher than a sentence. If that.

    Illona and Gordon, please ignore this ignoramous and continue writing yoir wonderful stories as you want to in the time you feel you need.

  17. Thank you so much! It is truly amazing to see your writing process (and real world inputs). I enjoy your writing with your powers combined (in my head, the voice changes to Levar Burton announcing he is Captain Planet…) and am doubly grateful for this Innkeeper installment on a holiday! Thank you for your work, and Happy Mother’s Day, Ilona!

  18. While I hate the circumstances leading up to it I loved seeing such an intimate view into your writing process. I actually thought you were super human for a good while then I realized that the ‘play at normal speed ‘ button wasn’t clicked ?

    But you are super human – just in a different way. I could never put words together in the way you do which is why I am grateful for every time you decide to post a new chapter, no matter when or where.

  19. I enjoyed it and always wait with anticipation. It’s a bit like getting a Christmas present almost every week. Thanks Santas….I mean Authorlords!

  20. Wow! You actually get emails like that. Bless your heart. Just bless your heart. ?

    Since I am reading this on Sunday afternoon – – Happy Mother’s Day. And Sir Gorfon, June is right around the corner. ?

  21. This was so cool! It’s a shame that folks can be so completely dense when it comes to the creative process. I am continually amazed at how quickly you’re able to write this and how clever you are….really neat to see how you put this together. Happy Mothers Day!

  22. You need a PA that keeps emails like that away from you so that your creative processes don’t get disrupted and your thankful and appreciative readers don’t suffer 😉

  23. That was fun watching your thinking process as you changed words and backtracked when needed. Thanks!

    • +1! I enjoyed watching the process at normal speed, watching the changes and word choice to tighten up the snippet. Thanks!

      Hope you had a wonderful day with family ?

  24. Dear Ilona! First, happy Mothers day. I hope you’re having a wonderful day with your family and most of all, are feeling better.
    Please, consider this: your writing (you and Gordon’s) is addictive and most of us quiver in anticipation of another chapter of Maud’s and Arland’s story. When I first realized “we weren’t getting any (lol)”, I wanted to throw a temper tantrum despite my advanced age. Ilona! Nooo! I need “my” story now!!! I don’t care about “Iron and Magic” (lie, already pre-ordered, great excerpt!) I need my chapter NOW!
    Since I became I member of this forum I’ve re-read at least 5 of your books (I have them all) and fallen more and more in loving with your writing. Look at all the dumb criticism as a result of your “siren-call” where we can’t resist your lure as one of the highest compliments to the both of you as writers.
    Lease forgive our impatience. Thank you once again for spoiling us with your wonderful tales!

  25. Oh! The first time I looked at this there was just a blank space and I couldn’t figure out what people were talking about. Now the magic typing is there 🙂 This was fun! Thanks!

  26. Thanks for the smile today! Looking forward to more, when the muse strikes you. We will be patient!

  28. Happy Mother’s Day. I just discovered this and even though I am grateful for it, I feel like a addict waiting for my next fix.

  32. It takes as long as it takes. You wouldn’t like it if we stuffed you in a vacuum tube to avoid distractions. Enjoy life, relax and let your nerves uncurl. You gotta right.

    We can wait and love it all the more when it hits the blog. Me especially. It’s got to be better than my other two chores today. Re caulking around the AC Unit, and bleaching the linoleum. House reeks of beach and vinegar. I would love to sit down and read. Anyway, when you post it, I will gratefully read it.

  33. Great way to respond to the question. It made me laugh while at the same time I can appreciate your work and get the next installment!! Thanks again

  35. 9.30 Monday night in Australia

    Load reload
    Sigh
    Make cup of tea
    Drink cup of tea.
    repeat.

    • 7:15am USA
      Log On : Refresh
      Brush Teeth : Refresh
      Pour Coffee : Refresh
      Breakfast : Refresh : Refresh
      Pack Lunch : Refresh
      More Coffee : Refesh …
      :Tap:Tap:Tap (Is this thing even working? : Tap:Tap.
      Coffee To Go: Refresh
      PocketPhone:StealthRefresh
      … Yep, I’m feeling it too Katy -lol

      • Hahhhhaaaa. It’s 15:43 here.

        Nappy change (I have a 4 month old and a 2 years old :)):Refresh
        Snack: Refresh
        Some emails blah blah: Refresh
        Some work blaaah:Refresh
        Meal time:Refresh
        Nappy:Refresh
        Repeat endlessly :))

        I just want Seveline to hurt :))) (Omg did I just write that?) :)))

          • What Katy said! : Refresh
            Oh -and I think your Seveline comment is universal with the rest of the BDH : Refresh: : : :
            God Bless!

          • Thank you! Good luck to you too! I am in Romania. More than 10.000 km away and refreshing side by side. This is so cool!

        • I’m just so glad it’s not just me that pathologically refreshes constantly (and at impossible times), thinking maybe this time I can create my own reality and it will magically appear.

          • Michelle,
            I think its a BDH OCD thing. And, yes – I refreshed before I replied -lol

  37. Rereading the Hidden Legacy series right now while patiently waiting for my next InnKeeper fix 😀
    Nevada reminds me of Dina and Connor reminds me of Arland with his caveman type devotion.

  38. And this is why you are the author lords and not me. My first thoughts were…”because reasons”.

  39. As long as you don’t drift into George RR Martin speeds, your excellence is worth the wait. I do science coaching (for science fairs), and the fast-cheap-good triangle is one of the most useful things to teach.

    Happy Mothers Day. ( a little late, my mom came over for dinner…)

  40. Don’t take offense, but I consider your response to be constructive shade, like constructive criticism and funny too. Thanks for being nice.

  41. Please forgive us for being impatient. Sometimes we think that you snap your fingers and create something fantastic. Your writing is so good you have us all hooked, literally, on your every word. I hope you had a wonderful mothers day and please forgive our impatience. In all honesty, this is the best Innkeeper book. That is saying something because I have loved them all. Quite frankly, I would even push to say that I like this world quite a bit.

  42. Omg! The teaser is making me pant with expectation and impatience.
    The excitement is killing me!
    Refresh…
    Refresh…
    Refresh…

  43. Wow! If you don’t mind I’d like to show it to my yr 12 language students (17 yr olds). It’s a wonderful opportunity to show them a professional author modelling the writing process: it might encourage them to draft and redraft independently.

    • I don’t mind. If you want, I can write a new snippet in real time for a completely new story and we can tie it to story structure in this post here: https://ilona-andrews.com/on-outlining/ This way they will get everything from outline to draft in one shot.

      A short story is quite often is just a glorified version of the five paragraph paper. 🙂

  44. Yes that would be wonderful but only if you have the time- their assessed piece is very short only 750 words; their focus is to match a style/ genre of their choice ( the exam board’s instruction not mine), so it’s more about drafting/ redrafting a snippet than overall structure.

  45. People often underestimate how taxing it can be to put something like this together. It’s mental gymnastics and weight lifting all at once. When you write professionally, you have to scrutinize every word choice, pick it apart, and shuffle things around to make the pieces fit together well. Sometimes (for me at least), it can be like a slide puzzle. 😉

  46. What a wonderful and creative way to manage a negative email.

    I remember being on both sides of the coin. When I was in grade 3, I demanded delivery of art supplies like yesterday. The teacher told me the supplies were hand-made for free by her busy husband. I remember the very moment when I went “oh…I didn’t know”. Made me think, it did.

    As an adult, everytime I see someone ask for a near instant Chinese-English translation of a period drama episode mirrors what I see has happened here. (And no, not even Google’s AI enhanced translator does justice to poetically flavoured language). I think it’s a double-edged sword with the demand inherent to popularity. There will always be those that demand outrageous service for nothing. The beautiful thing I see in these comments however, is that there is an enormous respect for patience and quality writing. I don’t see this often. I figure it is a mark of Ilona’s writing and character to have cultivated such a quality response.

    A fine lesson on writing I have learnt from this. *Tip of the cap to you Ilona.*

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