Interview Yourself #13: Ethics, Traps and Egos

Hi, folks! Today, I’m continuing with a new, unique series of posts. In the coming weeks, I’m going to be interviewing myself using pre-written questions from other blog sites, like these ones via BookFox.

It’s going to be a lot of fun, and a great way for me to reveal a little bit more about myself, my writing and my habits. Are you ready? Good – let’s get started.

 

 

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

I don’t know if any of them have been pilgrimages as such, but I have been to plenty of awesome bookish places. I’ve been to Canterbury, which technically makes me a Chaucer pilgrim, and plenty of birthplaces, museums, etc.

 

What is the first book that made you cry?

The only book that’s ever made me cry was The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. I loved the whole trilogy, and the ending just broke my heart.

 

What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Good question. I’ve had problems before with authors leaving bogus 1-star reviews for my books after I left a constructive (but negative review) on theirs, and I’ve also seen people leaving fake 5-star reviews for their own books under fake names.

 

Does writing energise or exhaust you?

Both, I guess! I find it energising more often than exhausting, but it’s not unheard of for me to drift between the two.

 

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

I think there are a lot of shady publishers and marketers out there who will put your book out there if you pay them money but who aren’t actually trying to help you. You need to take things with a pinch of salt and always figure out for yourself whether something is really worth it. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

Dane Cobain

 

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

I don’t think it really does much either way. The readers will decide if your work is any good.

 

What is your writing Kryptonite?

I can’t really think of one. I guess writing stuff by hand tends to do it, but only because it slows me down so much. I get much more done if I do it from behind a computer keyboard.

 

Have you ever gotten reader’s block?

Not really, but there have been times in my life when I’ve read more often than others. A few books have been tedious along the way, but I tend to just grind right through them.

 

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

Nope. I want to take the credit for my work. And ownership. For better or for worse.

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I just write stuff that I’d want to read myself. With a bit of luck, my readers have similar tastes to me.

 

Dane Cobain – Come On Up to the House

 

So there we have it – that’s the latest instalment of Interview Yourself over and done with! Thanks, as always, for reading, and be sure to keep your browser pointed to DaneCobain.com. You can also sign up to my mailing list, follow me on Facebook and Twitter or check out my books for further info. I’ll see you soon!