superlovezapper

I'd be much indebted to you if someone could answer a few questions! Ok, several questions. I really am interested in becoming a writer, and I have an interview assignment for school which gives me this opprotunity to ask you: The people who know!!!!

What initially interested you in writing?
What education did you receive before becoming a writer?
What responsibilities do you have as a writer?
What are the advantages of being a writer?
What are the disadvantages of being a writer?
Does the government have any laws regulating a writer?
What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
How did you find a publisher or agent?
Do you set deadlines for yourself and do you find them difficult to meet?
Do you self-promote and if so how?
What is a typical “writing day” like for you?
Is it difficult to find time to write?
What motivates you, or inspires you?
Do you use outlines or character sketches to help keep your stories organized?
If you encounter writer’s block, how do you cure it?
What authors influenced your writing?
Have you every joined a writer’s group or went to a writer’s workshop? Was it a positive or negative experience?

Thanks in advance for your help!

__________________
When they beat you with their billysticks zap 'em right back with superlove!

NoWorries

Cool idea for an interview.

What initially interested you in writing?
My 9th grade English teacher, Mr. Henry, used to make us write a story using a list of words he thought we should know. I used to love it. Unfortunately he was of the opinion that it took a special, act of god sort of thing for someone to be a writer, and he never pushed anyone into a career of writing. Still, that made me realize how much I liked it. I always liked Stephen Hunter's books too, a very simple type of writing, but with a great plot.
What education did you receive before becoming a writer?
Five semesters of High School English. Three college Creative Writing classes.
What responsibilities do you have as a writer?
To help other writers to aspire. It is secondary to entertain.
What are the advantages of being a writer?
You see things in a deeper light, the world takes on more meaning. You are able to capture and improve upon your life experiences.
What are the disadvantages of being a writer?
The amazing amounts of time that are required, but only when a story or work doesn't pan out. The time is worth it completely when you create something you like.
Does the government have any laws regulating a writer?
The government encourages writing through tax breaks. For example, if you need to fly to Mexico to research a topic, or take a cruise to have some quiet time with your new laptop, it's tax-deductible as a business expense. I am not sure how it works, but my instructor in college had taken full advantage of this.

The only laws against deal with Slander, but that is for all print, and you have a moral obligation for that, even if it wasn't a law. It's like the Force in Star Wars, you must not be tempted by the Dark Side.
What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Practice and a dozen rough drafts are the key.
How did you find a publisher or agent?
My first publisher found me. Since then, I've been looking, and looking, and looking. I'll let you know where I find the second publisher.
Do you set deadlines for yourself and do you find them difficult to meet?
No, but I probably should. My favorite writing quote deals with weight lifting. "You can go to the gym when you feel like it, you can write when the urge hits you. You won't become strong." It's important to write something at the minimum of once a week. My obligations get in the way sometimes and I don't write for weeks, and I feel myself lesser for it.
Do you self-promote and if so how?
Yes, I've sent works out to several online magazines. So far it's not working well.
What is a typical “writing day” like for you?
Usually I go to a job that actually pays, work there for eight or more hours, thinking about what I can write, get exhausted, go to class, and then pass out without writing anything. Sometimes there is alcohol involved.
Is it difficult to find time to write?
Yes and No. I usually can find time, but I can't think of anything to write. Often, I'll think of something great to write at work, and by the time I get home, I've lost the plot. It's making the time and motivation line up that is hard.
What motivates you, or inspires you?
I don't know. I'd like to say money, but I make enough money, I'd like to say getting published, but I am published. I don't know, I think it's self-enrichment or some other guff like that. If I find out, I'll let you know.
Do you use outlines or character sketches to help keep your stories organized?
NO! I disagree with this! It cheapens the story and forces the plot. I am a strong advocate of impromptu writing from the start, with the full brunt of the work being in revision.
If you encounter writer’s block, how do you cure it?
I like to get on this forum and critique some stories until something comes to me. I enjoy seeing other people's thought processes and it frees up my own.
What authors influenced your writing?
Ron Carlson was my Junior English teacher, he is a truly great writer, but more importantly, he wants to pass his experience onto others. I want to do the same someday.
Have you ever joined a writer’s group or went to a writer’s workshop?
Yes, in college.
Was it a positive or negative experience?
The best thing I've done for my writing so far.

thunder

What initially interested you in writing?
Heh..honestly? I wrote poem in grade 8 about two guys who both liked me. I reread it a while ago, it sucks. A lot. But it did get me started on writing, so I'm happy (:

What education did you receive before becoming a writer?
If it counts, just school in general. Nothing special. Nothing in particular after, either, I just learned from reading other peoples works on various forums and experimenting with different styles. In all honesty, I don't think the english courses they force us to take at school do much to improve writing..you need to want to write to improve.

What responsibilities do you have as a writer?
Hmm..considering I'm not a professional writer or anything, just to write what I feel I guess. One thing I've tried not to do is post anything that I wrote for the sake of writing.. I suppose you could call that a responsibility.

What are the advantages of being a writer?
It gets your feelings out, allows you to vent, and if other people enjoy your work, bonus!

What are the disadvantages of being a writer?
Not everyone does enjoy your writing, and like to say so. I'm all for constructive criticism, but I don't like when people reply to my writing with no purpose other than to point out that they don't like it. Also, writers block..it enjoys bothering me and my wish to write.

Does the government have any laws regulating a writer?
Would plagerism count? Besides that, I wouldn't be the best one to ask, since I write only for enjoyment..

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Just write what you feel, don't force it. Don't expect unending compliments, cause they're never gonna come no matter how good it is, and when they don't, don't get disappointed or discouraged.

How did you find a publisher or agent?
I didn't. I have not gotten published, and may never be published. I honestly don't think I'm good enough to be published. But from what I've heard, if you want to get published, research it first so you know what you're doing.

Do you set deadlines for yourself and do you find them difficult to meet?
Nope..no extra deadlines for me.

Do you self-promote and if so how?
No..I don't think this would really apply..somhow...

What is a typical “writing day” like for you?
Usually I write at night, when I should be sleeping. Something hits me as I'm lying in bed trying to sleep and I'm up for hours after that. Results in a very tired person the next day.

Is it difficult to find time to write?
It cuts into my already diminishing sleep time, if that counts for anything..

What motivates you, or inspires you?
Whatever I'm feeling in that moment, or sometimes things I've read or heard of other peoples experiences.

Do you use outlines or character sketches to help keep your stories organized?
The teachers like to think so, but..no. I let the characters develop as they happen to, and usually the result is good. My last story I wrote for school (the only one I had any motivation to write, as I got to pick my own topic this time), the teacher loved..though, I followed none of the 'required' outlines or other such things..

If you encounter writer’s block, how do you cure it?
If? Heh..when. I either wait for it to pass (this has proven to be my best option), or try to write anyways (this, however, has proven pointless). Standing in the rain sometimes helps..

What authors influenced your writing?
None, in particular.. I guess some must have but I honestly don't remember. Novels inspire me as I read them but I doubt you would be able to match each piece of writing with the novel afterwards..

Have you every joined a writer’s group or went to a writer’s workshop? Was it a positive or negative experience?
I've joined many writing forums in the past couple years, only a few have proven worthwhile. There was only one that helped significantly with my writing, but it now seems like its falling due to a change in the administration. I would actually love to join a writing group offline, but I only know of one, and the timing of it conflicts with my swimming schedule..

So maybe I'm not the best person to answer this, but I figured I would anyways. Pointless? Probably.. but it kept me from homework, so its not completely pointless.

BlackHoleEnvy

This interview is better suited for the Lounge, but oh well....

What initially interested you in writing?
I've dabled since I learned to hold a crayon, but I guess I got serious about writing after reading Bret Easton Ellis' American Psycho four years ago. He must have had so much fun writing that. I was jealous. So I set out to have as much, if not more fun. Unfortunately, my plan backfired. I have not finished anything. And reading what I've written the next day is like waking up next to a stranger in your bed who looked good with the "beer goggles" on, but now...ugh....

What education did you receive before becoming a writer?
Since I never officially "became" a writer, this is a gray area question. I started taking it seriously in college, though. I never took a class that taught me to write, though.

What responsibilities do you have as a writer?
To amuse myself. I can only hope others will one day be amused, but this is out of my hands....

What are the advantages of being a writer?
You become good with words, so you can whip out really pretentious things in the middle of conversations and make everyone hate you.

What are the disadvantages of being a writer?
The vow of poverty. The mood swings. The weeks of writers' block crushing your puny dreams. The hyper-sensitivity to criticism. The lack of excercise.

Does the government have any laws regulating a writer?
I'm sure if I write about blowing up federal buildings and purchasing unrefined uranium through Saudi back-channels, someone from the FBI will eventually pay me a little visit....

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Read. The writing either comes easy or it doesn't, but you've got to read. And having a day job isn't a bad thought, either.

How did you find a publisher or agent?
Ha! We'll run that gauntlet of rejection when we've got something to run with....

Do you set deadlines for yourself and do you find them difficult to meet?
Deadlines, schmeadlines. If I finish a novel--any novel--before I am 30, I'll be surprised.

Do you self-promote and if so how?
Just here, which really doesn't accomplish anything.

What is a typical “writing day” like for you?
Wake up. Eat. Brew coffee. Maybe read a little something to get in the mindset. Turn on laptop. Stare at laptop screen for an hour. Read over some older material to get the juices going. Listen to music to conjure the correct mood. If I'm lucky, two hours later I'll have written something. And then I look up from my laptop screen and I've got three or four pages and it is dark out and I am shaking from lack of nutrition and too much caffeine. Close laptop, wait out the ours until I can wake up and start the vicious cycle again....

Is it difficult to find time to write?
Not when you're unemployed, it isn't. Otherwise, yes. Social lives and writing careers don't play nice.

What motivates you, or inspires you?
Other writers. Music. Film. Real life events that seem worth dressing up as thinly-veiled fiction.

Do you use outlines or character sketches to help keep your stories organized?
I don't bother with conventional outlines. But I've got pages and pages of poorly organized notes, scraps, and blurbs, all filed away for future incorporation or future deletion.

If you encounter writer’s block, how do you cure it?
I curl up in the cabinet beneath the kitchen sink and weep for days. It's really just a waiting game. I've never pinpointed any one effective remedy. Time, distance...get out and live a little, then come back to the writing. Sometimes just walking into a bookstore and skimming all the crap on the new arrivals table motivates me to go straight home and write something better.

What authors influenced your writing?
The aforementioned Bret Easton Ellis, Hunter S. Thompson, Mark Z. Danielewsky, J. P. Donleavy, Michel Houellebecq.... Mostly contemporary writers with flairs for edgy, outside-the-box writing. I am also influenced by really bad writers who make me feel like I could do much better. Like reverse-psychology influence. But I won't name any names.

Have you every joined a writer’s group or went to a writer’s workshop?
I guess you could call this site a writers' group. Otherwise, no.

Was it a positive or negative experience?
It has its good times and bad times. Mostly I shy away from these things because they are a waste of time that could be better spent writing. But a horrible, endless bout of writers' block has left me with nothing better to do than hang around here.

__________________
...ARE BELONG TO US!

superlovezapper

Thanks to both of you, and any one else who decides to post here! I'll take any advice I can get! To NoWorries:

I have a few follow up questions! If they seem too personal, you don't need to respond...
How has writing helped you improve your life?
What genre of writing would you consider yourself? (Also: Take this opprotunity to "plug" whatever you've written. I'd love to hear about it!)
Is it often that a writer must switch publishers?
What is your revision process? (This is for Thunder too!)

You've been a lot of help so far, and definitely told me a little about the craft that I was unaware of. And Thunder, isn't standing in the rain great? I don't know about getting rid of writers block but it does make me feel better sometimes. . .

__________________
When they beat you with their billysticks zap 'em right back with superlove!

thunder

Yes, standing in the rain is my most favorite thing to do..ever. Even over swimming, and thats saying something.

My revision process? Generally I read over it a lot to see if there are any ways I can word things better, find words that better describe the situations and feelings. Then, I send it to someone I know knows what they're talking about, someone who's writing I admire, and see what they have to say. Sometimes its good, sometimes its bad, either way they give suggestions on how to improve the piece of writing. I take some of the suggestions and leave others, and continue with my mindless rewriting and rereading until I'm happy with the results..

NoWorries

I have a few follow up questions! If they seem too personal, you don't need to respond...
If you've read my stories, you've seen my soul, what can be more personal than that?
How has writing helped you improve your life?
Hmmm...I look back at times that I spent a lot of time doing nothing constructive, like watching TV, and while it was fun at the time, I didn't see any improvement. I am very good with my hands, I mean, abnormally good, way better than I am at writing. When I moved to this island (Great Britain) I was given a car. But there was a catch, it had 102,000 miles on it and had been beat to hell. But still, it was free. I put my life into it for a few weeks, and for not a lot of money, I've got a perfectly running little car that I've driven all over the island, twice. It's a kind of pride I get when I look at the little car that wouldn't idle at all and now is better than when it was new.

I work on airplanes, and we had this one that was broken for 73 days in a row. The guys that were working on it tried everything conventional until they were taken off the project and me and my counterpart Mike were put on the job around day 65. We tore the bird apart and found a very odd wire routing that was causing the problem, replaced the wire, and voila a working plane. We both feel like it took a lot of skill to find that problem and you just feel like you know more about things than other people. It sounds pretentious, but you know what they say about that, "The problem with being better than everyone, people think you're pretentious."

I feel the same way when I finish a story. Not all of my stories, but when I read my story and see things that I didn't mean to write, or things that are very interesting to me, I get this deep down feeling of acomplishment and pride, I don't think many people reach that.

Deep down I am of the Taoist faith(what Budhism is based on), which seeks self enlightenment. I've talked to Budhist's who don't have the faintest idea of where to start on their journey, I think that writing was my start, and the vessel that will take me as close to enlightenment as I will reach.

And, deep down in the back of my mind, I'd like to be able to walk up to Ray Bradbury, shake his hand, and say, "Hi, it's nice to meet you, I'm Canyon, a fellow writer." Ron Carlson signed all three of his books for me, one makes me proud to this day, he wrote, "For Canyon, A Writer I Worked With at ASU." Just being able to say I'm a writer does more for me than saying I have fought Opression in Iraq.
What genre of writing would you consider yourself? (Also: Take this opprotunity to "plug" whatever you've written. I'd love to hear about it!)
While I am a short story writer, I have never published a short story. I have written a bit of very bad poetry, which very few pieces have ever seen daylight, but they haven't been published. Shamedly, my payed works are automotive reviews, tire road-tests, and basic fuel-consumption experiments put to paper. None of which were very good, but the company I was writing for found me on www.epinions.com, which used to be a great website, not so-much-anymore and published three articles(of 151 I submitted), because they wanted an amateur evaluators opinion on the three aforementioned topics. I don't know how the magazine did, I don't even remember the magazine's name, and I never received my complimentary copy like I was promised. Anywho, I did get $1,600(before taxes) for some articles that I didn't spend much time on, or at least not as much as I think I should have.

That kind of disalusioned me to the money involved in writing, and I briefly had an thought affair of abandoning aviation and pursuing writing full time. Myself and aviation have a life-bond that I can't break no-matter how hard I try. The Airforce promised to send me to school, but the only thing I can work on while in England is a "Professional Aeronautics B.S.", I need to break out of this pattern, I really don't like flying.

Anyways, I hope to never subject myself to writing articles on products again, it made me feel cheap, even though I was expressing my true beliefs, it didn't feel like the right reasons. At the same time, the money was considerably better than what I've made on short stories($0 as compared to $1600), not including moneys I've spent trying to pursue a short story writing career, that would make it about -$2100 to $1600. It was and is all worth it though.

I'll post my favorite story to date, it is as yet unpublished, however.
http://www.writingforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=6327
Is it often that a writer must switch publishers?
My publisher was basicaly just a magazine that was looking for my particular form of writing at that time. They wouldn't be interested in publishing a short story collection, so I've had to look elsewhere. I can imagine if you get on with a good publisher, it could be a life-long friendship. Hopefully I'll find out someday.
What is your revision process?
This is subjective to my mood. Usually the first time I write the story, like I said, it just comes out, devil-may-care slap onto the screen, ignoring spelling, grammar, and other mistakes. The second is always a reread at a basic level to make sure it makes sense, correcting any mistakes that jump off the page at me. The third draft is an indepth spelling and grammatical snipe-hunt, while changing glaring plot inconsistencies. The second and third drafts always run blood red in ink.

All the while I'm making sure I'm happy with the story. If something needs to be changed besides what I can scribble on paper, I'll open up MS word and fix the problem.

By the fourth, or at the last, fifth draft, I hope to have a semantically sound piece with a plot, characters, and flow that I'm happy with. My personal style at least, after this point it is purely cuts and snips, I often use too many adjectives, I've found it to be something I can't fix in the writing process, so I have to take them out later.

I am a huge fan of Hemingway, although often my writing doesn't reflect his style, I appreciate and attempt to mimic the minimalist style by deleting everything that isn't absolutely necessary. The story posted above, I have revised many, many times, my guess is twelve, but that's just a guess. I have just now realized that it will benefit by a few lines being added, and I am scared to death to do it, as it's not usually my style.

I almost forgot, at some point it has to be read by someone else. Not just anyone, my mom read one of my stories once and said it was wonderful. It really wasn't. Preferably someone that is skilled in the art of critique's. This is where a writing workshop is worthwhile, my class had twelve people, that's twelve objective opinions, and to get an A, you had to write a whole page per story. It's a lot of work on your part, but it's worth it beyond words.

This website has shown a marked improvement in the last few weeks in it's critique ability, still, you are not guarateed an indepth critique. It makes it hard to critique other's stories as well, I try to critique the ones I really enjoy, and the ones that really, REALLY need help, which means the mediocre ones get skipped over. There just isn't time. On the other hand, if you critique my story, I'm practically guaranteed to critique at least one of yours. This website is an interesting place and I'm glad I found it.

I'd take my story over to my writer-friend I work with, but the last time I did that, he told me there should be more science fiction stuff happening. You see how important it is to have a good subjective reader.

You've been a lot of help so far, and definitely told me a little about the craft that I was unaware of. And Thunder, isn't standing in the rain great? I don't know about getting rid of writers block but it does make me feel better sometimes. . .
I used to love running, driving, standing, anything in the rain when I lived in Arizona, where it rains less than thirty days a year, and only hard a few times. Now that it rains ALL the time(seriously), I hate the rain. I refuse to listen to Eddy Rabbit's song, "I love a rainy night" until I repatriate.

I hope I've been of some help.

DawnMorningStar

Hi superlovezapper!

Here are my answers:

What initially interested you in writing?
I have been writing ever since I could hold a pencil or hunt and peck for the keys on a typewriter. My dad had written a book back when I was just a little kid (he never did try to get it published though), and I suppose that was part of it.

What education did you receive before becoming a writer?
Only school, really. I read a lot and wrote a lot, and I had very encouraging English teachers. I did take a creative writing class in college, but I ended up dropping out because I moved out of state.

What responsibilities do you have as a writer?
To get my message across to my audience. To teach someone something, or get them to think about things in a different light.

What are the advantages of being a writer?
Creative expression. I love being able to express myself on paper, as well as create characters and worlds and situations. Writing can be very therapeutic as well.

What are the disadvantages of being a writer?
Rejection sucks. Also, it's difficult to find the time to write without distractions. The pay isn't always the best (though it can be).

Does the government have any laws regulating a writer?
I think the others have already covered the basics, such as plageurism.

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Never give up, keep practicing. Take the advice and critiques of other writers to heart, and always strive to improve. Don't let anyone tell you your ideas are stupid or not worth writing about.

How did you find a publisher or agent?
Heh...I haven't searched for one just yet. Let's wait until my novel is in a publishing state first.

Do you set deadlines for yourself and do you find them difficult to meet?
Not usually, because most of my writing is for pleasure. Even stories that I work on to post online don't have deadlines. I think if I imposed that upon myself, I would actually take longer to get it done. However, for my novel, I DID set a deadline--not for the complete, finished product, but for the first draft of the completed story. I tried to set a realistic goal. I think that's the key.

Do you self-promote and if so how?
I used to self-promote fanfics a bit, by announcing them on mailing lists and things. But with this novel, no, I really haven't.

What is a typical “writing day” like for you?
Heh...do some work, sneak in a bit of writing, do some more work, sneak in a bit of writing. Write on my lunch break. Go home and work on my novel in the evenings while hubby watches tv...

Is it difficult to find time to write?
Sometimes. Most evenings I have at least an hour or two to write. It all depends on what's going on.

What motivates you, or inspires you?
Lots of things--life experiences, friends and family, tv shows, movies, other books, music. Even just my own crazy imagination.

Do you use outlines or character sketches to help keep your stories organized?
For the past few years I've used some kind of outline, usually just jotting down ideas as I think of them and making sure I include them in the story. For the novel, I actually have an outline set up with a paragraph (or more) detailing the main things that are going to happen in each chapter. As for characters, I don't have sketches persay, but I do know the basics about each character.

If you encounter writer’s block, how do you cure it?
That's a toughy. Sometimes I have to set the story aside for a while. Other times, listening to music will help inspire me again. A lot of times, I'll think the story over on the way home from work and come up with new, interesting ideas. It also helps sometimes to take a break and read the writing of others.

What authors influenced your writing?
Anne Rice, J. K. Rowling, Tolkein, David Sosnowski, C. S. Lewis and several others.

Have you every joined a writer’s group or went to a writer’s workshop? Was it a positive or negative experience?
Nope. I've survived solely off of feedback from friends and family members, and people I've met online. I wouldn't mind joining a critiquing group though. That's what I like about writingforums--I get the chance to read the work of others and offer suggestions, as well as have my own writing critiqued.

Judy

I won't be able to remember all your questions in order and my printer won't print this minute, sooooo I'll adlib.
I spent most of my life (and it's been quite long) wondering what I was supposed to be doing. When I'm writing a novel and the character takes over and I laugh and enjoy the trip, then I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Looking back, I now know why I always turned my term papers in early and looked forward to writing another one. I didn't know I was a "writer," or that all my letter-writing to friends and family was practice for my conversational novel style. I'm from a dramatic family -- arms waving to punctuate sentences, making faces to make a point, mimicking actions -- so having my characters take over in their voice and in their style is natural. Forcing my characters to do things would ensure they'd die. I don't outline. I tried it when I first started seriously studying the craft of writing and this book or that said try it, but I found it so boring and confining that I quit. I've read that many famous novelists outline, then when they start writing they throw away the outline. I suppose it lights their fire or something. What I do is think. But not too hard! I try to run around the edges of an interesting-looking character like a border collie after sheep. Carefully, carefully. Then one day I pick up a pen and lined paper, sit at the kitchen bar, and see what happens. I finished my third novel in September, so sometimes my method works. And, yes, I have written myself into a corner and couldn't get out and had to start over. But I also heard that outlining authors have the same thing happen.
During the last year I have shipped out 30-40 letters to agents and publishers. This has been a hugely frustrating experience as it was in the middle 90s when I finished my first novel. I don't know what else to do except keep polishing the synopsis and query letter (which I find the hardest writing to do), keep mailing them to likely agents, keep writing.
That is the key. If you don't keep writing, you won't have anything to work with. If the words won't go or you read them and they're awful, continue on. Something will break loose tomorrow. If you give in to the critic in your head who wants you to chuck it all, one day you'll turn 90: "I wish I had finished that novel. Now I'll never know if I could have."
I read much non-fiction on the craft of writing. I couldn't go on without their encouragement.
I have a college degree, but not in the field of writing. I think my work experiences out in the world flavored my writing much more than any college class could. The right class, the right professor ... maybe.
This summer I received a grant from a state arts commission, which more than anything boosted my confidence that I am indeed a writer and that indeed perhaps maybe one day I'll be a published one.