BookMojo Author Interview

This is a rather lengthy author Q & A session I did with BookMojo around the time I published my fifth Tony Valenti thriller, Scared Silent.

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
Spending an evening with John Irving at the Ottawa International Writer’s Festival was definitely a pilgrimage for me, even it was only a twenty-minute drive to where he was speaking! Otherwise, none.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?
First drafts are exhilarating as I discover the story right alongside my characters. The first rewrite is also fun as I shape the story into something resembling a novel. The next few rounds of edits are a grind until I reach the point of never wanting to see the story again, but I’ve learned that polishing the novel at this stage is critical. There always comes a point of exhaustion (or perhaps it’s actually exasperation) where I convince myself that the story is “good enough.” This is when I know the novel only needs a couple more rounds of editing, which motivates me to stick with it until it’s good enough to send out into the world (and be done with it!). Writing is extremely hard work, yet there’s a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment in working through the process all the way to the end. Fun fact: after the slog of editing until my eyes cross, I’m excited about plunging into whatever new story is chomping at the bit to be told.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Not writing. Aspiring to be a writer isn’t being a writer. Nor is proclaiming yourself a writer without turning out work. Park your butt in a chair and slog away at it until you become a writer. Every day. That’s number one. Moving on, don’t be defensive when you receive constructive criticism. You don’t have to—and shouldn’t—accept everything that’s suggested, but allow yourself to be challenged. Your work will be better for it and you’ll grow as a writer. I still read edits in an initial state of horror—OMG, it really is a steaming, unsalvageable pile of crap!—before I step back and reread the comments later with an open mind. More often than not, the points are valid and point me toward work I need to do to make the story much better. Edit. Edit. Edit.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I’m not sure ego factors into wiring, at least it doesn’t for me. Be confident, be persistent, but don’t fall into the trap of being dazzled by your own imagined brilliance. There are very few truly brilliant writers—okay, more than a few, but it’s a decidedly small percentage of us. I find it interesting that few of them are dazzled by their brilliance. Most seem to experience the same doubts and insecurities the rest of us have. Depressing, isn’t it? I used to hope that would go away! 😉

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Nothing seems to keep me from writing, so I guess I’m fortunate not to have that issue. That said, maybe it’s lurking around the next turn…

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
No. Perhaps if I branch out in another direction, but even then I doubt it.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I don’t presume to know what readers want. I hear from people who enjoy the books and are kind enough to tell me they were touched or moved by some aspect of a novel. That doesn’t mean they want to read that same story over and over again. When I have a story in mind that excites me and isn’t plowing the same fields as a previous novel, I hope the premise will appeal to others.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I’m not sure they would appreciate me naming them. They help by being supportive, taking time away from their own writing to offer constructive criticism, and by offering a sympathetic shoulder for me to occasionally weep on (ever-so-briefly). I’m in awe of how incredibly generous fiction writers tend to be. We’re a pretty cool bunch!

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I’m writing a series. I hope each book stands on its own merits, but it is a series with character and plot arcs that I’ve deliberately designed to extend through the series. Reading the books in order is intended to offer the best reading experience and seems to do so. That said, I’ve heard from several people whose introduction to the series came in a later book and they enjoyed it enough to go back to the start. I’ve attempted to avoid including back story details that give away critical plot points and endings of previous books.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
See earlier question and answer about advice to aspiring writers. Stop thinking about it, quit talking about doing it. Get your tail in the chair and do it!

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Wile E. Coyote. Never give up! (but maybe be a little smarter)

What did you edit out of this book?
I pulled a plot thread from Scared Silent that I can’t tell you about because it’s earmarked to become a novel itself. As a rule, I cull tons of stuff from every story I write. Final drafts are generally 30% – 35% shorter than my initial drafts and often that much shorter than even my first rewrite. I’m embarrassed to admit that probably 5% of this is me climbing up on my soapbox about whatever injustice I’m railing about. Oddly enough, somewhere in that 5% I often find the theme of the novel, so it’s not a complete waste of time. My goal is to cut everything that isn’t necessary to the story, including a lot of stuff I really like. I keep those excerpts, which makes the process bearable. I’ve pulled some promising subplots from stories that weren’t a good fit after rewriting.

How do you select the names of your characters?
Great question! Some simply come to me when I’m imagining a new character. I love it when that happens. Ethnicity can play a role, and sometimes I select names that signal a certain socio-economic status. Occasionally it’s just a bit of silly fun. I’m always conscious of how a name rolls off the tongue. Does it fit my image of this person? Equally effective when used sparingly: the name plays against type. We’ve all heard the line: she/he doesn’t look like a Charley! That can be fun. And sometimes I labor over lists for hours before settling on something, often making myself more than a little batty in the process.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Yes, though not obsessively (at least not anymore). In the same way that I pay attention to what beta readers, ARC readers, and editorial reviewers have to say, I look for instructive nuggets. What worked; what didn’t. I don’t allow any single review to bother me. After all, it’s merely one person’s opinion. I do sit up and take note when trends emerge, especially negative ones. That suggests I’ve gone astray somewhere along the way. This can be a valuable learning experience.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Not intentionally. I enjoy the moments when I realize a passage has more punch or meaning if a person has read all the books—a resolution to or continuance of something from an earlier book. I particularly love it when it adds a touch of humor or irony. I like to think of these as little rewards or “aha!” moments for loyal readers.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Start to finish for a first draft, two to three months. Fully edited, five to six months.

What is your favorite childhood book?
The Adventures of Jerry Muskrat by Thornton W. Burgess, part of his Bedtime Story-book Series; perhaps because it’s the first book I remember reading all by myself. I loved discovering the story all on my own and found the use of anthropomorphism endearing (not that I knew that word at the time!). It’s a terrific little book that, along with the rest of the series, shaped my thinking about nature and wildlife. I have a visceral dislike of humans gratuitously harming animals that I believe started there and then.

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Originality. Writing a series has pros and cons. It’s wonderful to have characters and settings that I and my readers know, but getting stale is a danger. Characters must grow and change, settings must have an element of dynamism. My novels always introduce new characters and settings, which goes some way toward solving the problem of keeping the series from becoming static.

Does your family support your career as a writer?
Yes, thank goodness! They are fabulous and I am extremely grateful for their support.

If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
I’m not sure I can answer that. What I did then made me who I am and so shaped the writer I’ve become—for better or worse. Well, maybe I could have paid a little more attention in my Shakespeare classes…

Do you believe in writer’s block?
I’m not sure I understand what it is. I’ve heard it described as, a) I don’t have any ideas, b) I’m stuck halfway through, c) I’m too scared to write. My suggestion to all those issues may sound trite or arrogant, but I would say to persevere. Butt in chair and put words on paper (or screen). Get the juices flowing. I’ve never experienced writer’s block unless it’s the times I’ve run into a conundrum about where to go next. At those times, I’ve jumped ahead to write a scene I know is coming; sometimes that unlocks the door to what needs to come before it.

What is the first book that made you cry?
I’m pretty sure that was Charlotte’s Web. I still miss Charlotte.

What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
Got a few minutes? Let’s go with predators preying on the hopes and dreams of aspiring authors. There are too many of these scams to list.

What was your hardest scene to write?
If hardest means emotionally difficult, I’d say a rape and suicide scene. The suicide flowed from the rape, which is why I couple them here. It was painful to write, but I judged this to be integral to the plot and theme of the novel. Some early readers took issue with either or both scenes, which made me take a long look at them to be sure I wrote them with as much sensitivity as I could bring to what are ugly, painful topics.

Do you Google yourself?
Once. I already know the story. I probably should do it now and again to find out where my books are being pirated—not that there’s anything we can do about most of that.

If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
I do work, but it’s now a means to an end that allows me to write. If I had to do it all over again and couldn’t write, I would have stuck with my fledgling music “career”, at least until I starved.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
I can’t imagine giving up anything I truly value. If the question is: What Faustian bargain would I strike to be a hugely successful author, the answer is still nothing.

What are your favorite literary journals?
I don’t read any.

Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
No. Not a fiction author, at any rate.

Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
I’m not familiar with the term. I read every day.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I became more methodical and disciplined because I had to write the sequel and I didn’t have ten years to do so!

How long were you a part-time writer before you became a full-time one?
I still work, but I’ve been writing seriously for over twenty years. What has changed is that I changed jobs five years ago to one that affords me considerable writing time.

How many hours a day do you write?
As an independent writer, I need to devote time to the business side of the business. This includes accounting, advertising, maintaining my website, social media, and my newsletter, among other things. Including this in the total, I probably spend eight to ten hours every day (including weekends) on my writing business, six to eight hours of which is ideally set aside for writing and editing.

Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
That’s an interesting question. I’d say writers like Kurt Vonnegut and Tom Robbins did so. They’re both incredibly insightful writers who produce humanist literature that is extremely entertaining. A close second would be James Michener, whose novels taught me that fiction can be a powerful learning experience.
What are the ethics of writing about historical figures?
That’s a loaded topic I won’t go into, other than to pose the question: Who gets to decide on the ethics?
What period of your life do you find you write about most often? (child, teenager, young adult)
My work isn’t particularly autobiographical (my life hasn’t been particularly dramatic), but I suppose I draw from my teenage years more than any other.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Wow, I don’t even want to think about how much I’ve invested in courses, conferences, writing how-to books, book design, advertising and the like, but I’d say professional editing is the clear winner. Good editors let you know if all that other stuff worked!

What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
W. Somerset Maugham and John Steinbeck, both were assigned reading to a rebellious twit who eventually grew up and was fortunate enough to rediscover them, this time with enough maturity to appreciate their work.

What did you do with your first advance?
As an independent author I’m not paid advances, so let’s talk about my first royalty payments. All my royalties to this point go back into my books, whether it be for production costs or advertising. I look forward to the day when I’ll pocket a few dollars for myself.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I’ll never forget my Grade 9 English teacher, Mrs. Willis. An extraordinary educator who used The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner to teach me how to read differently. It was a revelation to be shown how Coleridge used words to convey imagery and symbolism.

What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?
Important is subjective, I suppose. I subscribed to Writer’s Digest and The Writer once upon a time and they were useful at that point. I don’t currently subscribe to anything but do poke around in online writing-related content.

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
Let me preface this answer by saying there are a lot of them, but I’ll select a book and writer that fly under the radar. Lunatics by Bradley Denton is an imaginative tour de force that explores an impressive list of human conditions. Read it with an open mind. Denton is something of a genre-bender.

How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?
I don’t consciously make demands of readers, but I do always try to take care of them by providing a few hours of entertaining escapism. If it leaves them thinking about the issues I’ve addressed, all the better.

What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?
My characters tend to be composite, archetypes when appropriate, or pretty much made up out of whole cloth. I take care to avoid anything that might be readily identifiable, and hope I succeed. No outraged complaints so far.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
A few. There are the first two completed novels of a political thriller trilogy that will eventually venture out into the world, the beginnings of a decidedly different type of story from my thrillers that may someday see the light of day, and a few reasonably fleshed out Tony Valenti thriller ideas, two of which grew out of excerpts from the first five books.

What does literary success look like to you?
To produce the best books I’m capable of at any given point in time while growing and improving as a writer.

What’s the best way to market your books?
Marketing is a work in progress at this point. I’m working to establish a brand and figure out the most cost-effective advertising avenues. That said, nothing is as important as continuing to produce books that people connect with so I can continue building a loyal readership. I’m humbled and thrilled to have had some modest success in doing so.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends. I interview people with knowledge I don’t possess, with an eye to understanding real life experiences that I can convey to readers. When a topic captures my imagination, I research extensively before I start writing. Additional research is often necessary throughout the writing and editing processes as ideas occur to me. Sometimes the research takes months, sometimes merely weeks, and occasionally, a quick online search does the trick.

Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
Absolutely. I believe good writing explores universal themes and allows us to come to a better understanding of the human experience. Sounds lofty, doesn’t it?

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I can approach that question several ways. I don’t agonize over it. As I hope to with any character, I try to make them authentic. Some percentage of any demographic is likely to take offense at whatever I do, so I don’t allow myself to feel overly constricted. There is certainly plenty to be aware of and sensitive to, but I find the notion that any group of people is monolithic in its views to be offensive. Likewise, the idea that some subset of a demographic has granted themselves the moral authority to speak on behalf of the entire group seems arrogant.