Chaotic :). I have lots of ideas, usually all at once. I have an overarching idea for the story, but how I get there depends on many factors. Often I'll write a scene, that's not yet needed and then work towards it. I'm usually working on several things, so I write what is foremost in my chaotic brain at any one time. Needless to say it takes me a while to finish a particular work. I've tried planning it, but the story ignored the plan.

Usually at inconvenient times, or totally random things will inspire me. A story spark will pop in to my head and poke me until I do something with it. Sometimes they come to nothing, or at least nothing like how they started. Sometimes they become short stories, sometimes longer.

I tend to ignore them. The first time I got a bad review on my first book I was gutted, but then I thought about it - this was just one reader's opinion. Like anything - a book, a movie, food, music there's always going to be someone who doesn't like it/agree with it, just as there will be someone who loves it. Look at any book, from Shakespeare, to Agatha Christie, to 50 Shades of Grey and I bet there are tons of reviews that love them, and tons that hate them. People have differing opinions of what they enjoy, what they expect in a book, and even whether it's well written. I read my reviews more for interest than anything, of course it's great to get a nice review but if not, whatever. Move on, keep writing.

Marketing. Writing comes naturally - although I do get periods where I don't write much at all. Selling and promoting the books - that's hard, takes way more energy and time than writing and isn't nearly as much fun.

I've been writing since I could write. As a child I would make up stories and poems - I got in trouble for daydreaming, but it was much more interesting in my head with all my imaginary friends than the real world was.

1) Success is relative. One writer may just want to get their story out there, or write for the joy of it. Another may want to make lots of money or have 50 books to their name. Think about why you're writing, what do you want out of it? What will make you a 'success'. 2) Be realistic (see answer 1). There are a lot of books published and self published - so why should I, as a reader, want to read yours? Is it something new? Is it well written (although that's somewhat subjective). Most indie authors make very little money - it is NOT a get rich quick scheme or passive income, despite what the 'experts' on you-tube tell you. It's hard work, and for the most part the majority of indie authors never make much money. Once the book is finished, it needs to be edited, formatted and have a nice, appealing cover, then it needs to be marketed. It may be the best book ever but if no one knows about it except you, then it won't get far. Don't expect this to be your retirement fund. 3) Write what you want to write. Write what you want to read. What's popular today might not be popular tomorrow. 4) Learn the rules - KDP (Amazon) and all the other self-publishing sites have terms of service - what you can and can't do. Read them. Then read them again. Don't think you can break them, and get away with it. You won't. If you aren't sure of what something means then ask on one of the forums, or one of the multitude of groups online, or contact the site's support and get them to clarify it. Publishing is a business - expect there to be rules. 5) Don't give a damn what anyone else thinks. Write because you want to write.

I have three novels in the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Dark Fantasy series (working on number 4); two Phantom of the Opera based novellas in the Legacy of the Mask series, a couple of collections of short fantasy, a dark fantasy/horror and dark poetry collection, two poetry books, several short stories, a co-written historical fantasy novella, and several stories in anthologies published elsewhere.

Battle scenes are tricky. Lots of characters doing complicated things all at once. It also has to be realistic. If you poke someone with a sword, it's likely going to hurt them. If you've just been whacked with a mace then you're probably going to have fractures, internal damage or severe bruising. And two or more characters trying to kill one another - there's going to be action, blood, mayhem and lots of to-ing and fro-ing. I've researched weapons, armour, the likely damage, famous victories and failures and lots more.

Janet Morris. Janet is very cool, very wise and funny. She's created some of the best fantasy, sci-fi and historical fiction and she's awesome.