Ask the Author: Richard Zaric
Answered Questions (8)
Richard Zaric
Gotta make it to the door before that nut job sees me. Shit.
Richard Zaric
I would travel to The Shire from The Hobbit because they all seem to generally get along and have nice yards. Who wouldn't want two breakfasts?
Richard Zaric
Summer's over now but, there are a few books I'd like to read before the end of the year including Five Wives by Joan Thomas and Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin (because I can't get enough of his Ice and Fire world). For fun, I'm going to read a DC silver age coffee table book.
Richard Zaric
I've always been interested in Winnipeg's rich history. Creating 'Hiding Scars' forced me to research the city's past where I uncovered a multitude of facts and snippets I was able to weave into the story. One thing I soon discovered was that the 'good old days' weren't very good. They were actually pretty bad. The divide between the haves and the have-nots was profound. I discovered the blatant discrimination that took place at the time. (Much worse by today's standards). Women were pushed aside. The government was corrupt. For the poor, living conditions were squalid.
In addition to the social situation, major events occurred during the time period (1913-1919) including the First World War, the influenza epidemic, prohibition and the Winnipeg general Strike. This story wrote itself.
In addition to the social situation, major events occurred during the time period (1913-1919) including the First World War, the influenza epidemic, prohibition and the Winnipeg general Strike. This story wrote itself.
Richard Zaric
Aside form dabbling with the occasional short story, I am starting to put together a young adult novel that deals with kleptomania, cancer and comic books.
Richard Zaric
The best advice I ever heard is that you have to do something everyday that is related to your craft. It could be writing something. It could be editing. It could be researching a topic of interest. Set aside time every day.
Along the same lines, I think it was Stan Lee, the comic book legend, that once said that the first million words you write will be crap. You have to get over that first million before the good stuff comes out. It think that's true for anything. You have to continually practice your craft. Only through that continual practice will you ever get better.
Also: read. Read what you like. It could be anything from high-brow literary fiction all to way to a campy genre property. See how different writers string words together. See the difference between good dialogue and bad dialogue. Learn like a sponge.
Along the same lines, I think it was Stan Lee, the comic book legend, that once said that the first million words you write will be crap. You have to get over that first million before the good stuff comes out. It think that's true for anything. You have to continually practice your craft. Only through that continual practice will you ever get better.
Also: read. Read what you like. It could be anything from high-brow literary fiction all to way to a campy genre property. See how different writers string words together. See the difference between good dialogue and bad dialogue. Learn like a sponge.
Richard Zaric
The best thing is being able to create something that is special and has meaning to yourself -- but then at the same time is able to produce a reaction in others.
Richard Zaric
I fight through it. I try to work on something writing related every day. On those days when the juices aren't flowing I do other things, like edit, research or plotting.
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