Ask the Author: R.L. Maizes
Answered Questions (7)
R.L. Maizes
I would advise someone who aspires to write to do a lot of writing and not to worry at the beginning if the work is as good as your favorite author's. It takes most writers a long time to learn to write well and the only way to do it is to develop a regular writing practice.
Many of the short stories in my collection are set in New York, so I would say, yes, growing up in New York did influence my writing.
Many of the short stories in my collection are set in New York, so I would say, yes, growing up in New York did influence my writing.
R.L. Maizes
When I hear about things that move or upset me, I often ask, why? or what if? I write stories to explore those questions, which are always questions about human nature. Why are people the way they are? Why do they do the things they do? In stories, those questions can be explored, although in stories, as in life, we're often left with a mystery.
R.L. Maizes
My next book is a novel, Other People's Pets, that will also be published by Celadon Books (Macmillan). It's about an animal empath who must decide whether to rob houses to pay her father's legal bills after he's arrested. I've had to learn to think like a burglar for this book, so if the whole writing thing doesn't work out...
R.L. Maizes
Getting to sit alone in a quiet room playing with imaginary friends called characters. Making them interact with each other, support and betray one another, while I mull over human nature. Seeing the characters come to life and develop wills of their own, then sharing the work with an audience. When readers are moved and amused by my work, I couldn't be happier.
R.L. Maizes
Writing exercises such as responding to prompts and free writing have helped me break out of writer's block. Prompts are especially helpful because the choices we have when we write--what to write about and how to write it--are so wide open they can be daunting. Responding to prompts can free you up by narrowing your choices.
R.L. Maizes
Read a lot. Whatever kinds of books you enjoy. Write a lot. That's how you discover your voice. Be patient. It takes a long time to learn how to write well. Don't be afraid to fail.
R.L. Maizes
My forthcoming book, We Love Anderson Cooper, is a collection of stories. The ideas came from different places. The idea for the story "Tattoo" came from a news story about a tattoo artist who tattooed lifelike nipples on women who had reconstructive breast surgeries. The idea for the story "Couch" came from the couch my mother used in her therapy practice, which I imagined made people weep as soon as they sat on it.
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