One of my favorites in Vizions of the Future was the first story: Sylvan Chains. Adam’s tale takes some interesting turns as it gives the characters independence and choice despite being part of a very structured society. Then, when I read his bio at the end of the story, I learned the author is blind. I know how John Milton (17th-Century poet who wrote Paradise Lost) wrote his works, but the modern world offers different challenges and new tools.

I thought you might be curious as well, so I asked Adam if he would talk about it on my blog. His process is both similar and different from how Milton managed the same so long ago. With no further ado, here’s Adam Boustead to talk about his creative process.

Blind Author’s Writing Method

Hopefully, there is somebody reading this. If there is, their first question would probably be where do I get my ideas?

From the telly. Yes, blind people do this although we listen rather than watch. Sometimes books: brail, audio, or talking Kindle.

But where I get most of my ideas is from the warm, helpful people in my local writing groups.

I got the idea for Sylvan Chains, my short story in Books Go Social’s amazing anthology from two sources. Spec Fic television shows and a group of fantasy books inspired by Lord of the Rings involving elf stones [The Sword of Shannara Series]. Please no one say anything. I am not done reading it.

As for my writing method?

Once I have an idea, I sit down at my brail note taker and start writing. What is a brail note taker I hear you ask?

It’s like a laptop but without a screen, and with a brail keyboard and display.

I often start with a beginning, but I rarely know how I am going to reach the end. I let the story lead me to the end of the story then I go to editing.

I used to use a talking computer, but it’s broken. I have to pay people to properly edit.

Then I email it to my publishers.

There’s a collaborative process between most writers and their editors. With Adam, that collaboration is a little more extensive, but his ideas and stories shine through.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into an author’s process as much as I did. Should I see if any of the other Vizions authors are willing to visit? You can read Adam’s story and more in Vizions of the Future

Note: I did a bit of interpretation in editing this article. Though I checked the contents with Adam, any errors or misinterpretations fall on my head.