Ask the Author: Jim Baumer
Answered Questions (6)
Jim Baumer
I've been interest in the essay for awhile now. Some of my favorite writers--Joan Didion, David Foster Wallace, Phillip LoPate--all are/were essayists. I love the platform.
I had a batch of essays "in the can" and then, I taught a class on writing a book in 8 weeks (can't be done), and realized I needed to put my money where my mouth was with my students. That required writing a couple of new essays and in July, "The Perfect Number: Essays & Stories, Vol. 1" was released.
I had a batch of essays "in the can" and then, I taught a class on writing a book in 8 weeks (can't be done), and realized I needed to put my money where my mouth was with my students. That required writing a couple of new essays and in July, "The Perfect Number: Essays & Stories, Vol. 1" was released.
Jim Baumer
I'm inspired to write every day. I have more ideas than time to write about them all. Inspiration is never my issue. And those few times I don't feel inspired, I still sit at my desk and start putting words and sentences together. Sometimes writing is just plain work, and that's not a bad thing.
Jim Baumer
I've been busy with my freelance writing of late. I just released a new book of essays, and I'm going to spend time this winter putting together a book proposal to an agent for a nonfiction idea that I've been researching.
Jim Baumer
If you are a writer, you need to be writing every day. Stephen King recommends an hour a day, and who am I to argue with one of America's great writers?
Reading and reading widely is also important.
Reading and reading widely is also important.
Jim Baumer
Being a full-time freelancer, having some control over my time and schedule is a benefit. It's also challenging making sure I have enough work to pay the bills, also.
I'd also add that seeing my name in a byline or on a book cover never gets old.
I'd also add that seeing my name in a byline or on a book cover never gets old.
Jim Baumer
I'm not sure I ever have "writer's block." By that I mean that I write, whether I feel like it, or not. That means blogging twice each week, keeping freelance ideas and pitches in the pipeline, etc.
Personally, writer's block seems like an excuse for a writer not to be writing.
Personally, writer's block seems like an excuse for a writer not to be writing.
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