Interview with Steve Cohen
For anyone curious about the seemingly glamorous profession of travel writing, or the experience of fully embracing life, the dark comedy, “Travel to the G-Spot”, by Steve Cohen will most likely be your cup of tea. This story centers on travel writer Danny Gladstone, who gets a wake up call upon finding out he doesn’t have long to live; and decides to get everything he can out of life before it’s too late.
Let’s hear author Steve Cohen’s thoughts on “Travel to the G-Spot” and the writing process.
Q: How did you get the initial idea for “Travel to the G-Spot”?
A: Working as a travel writer, I couldn't help but notice that the travel stories that were published in newspapers and magazines were a lot different than what was left out, which was sometimes the best part of the trip. Even when a travel story was completely accurate, there was more truth that wasn't included. I thought readers might like to know the whole story, warts and all, which you never ever see in the sort of mainstream travel stories I wrote for many years.
Q: What would you say to all the people who think travel writing is a glamorous and easy line of work?
A: To say it's like anything else, and that it's just a job would be false. It's absolutely one of the best ways to spend your time. Sometimes it is glamorous. Sometimes it is easy, when a story falls into place and the check doesn't bounce. The problem is the economics of travel writing. It's a tough way to make a living. It's not impossible, though, and if you want to work hard at it, 7-days a week hard, forever, you can do it, too. However, it is a "job" that is best suited to the well-to-do, the single and mobile, or anyone who otherwise doesn't need the money, a journalist with a wealthy spouse, no kids, for example. Some childless couples are successful travel writing teams. For those with family responsibilities, growing mouths at home to feed and bills to pay, better think twice.
Q: Everyone knows how important it is to live life to the fullest, but most people don’t seem to make a real effort until something life threatening occurs? What do you think prevents people from fully embracing life?
A: Fear. If you want to live a full life, you have to step outside your comfort zone. It scares the crap out of most everyone. It's a good thing to overcome.
Q: To what extent, if at all, do you identify with your central character, Danny Gladstone?
A: Danny and I share certain characteristics, others not so much. He's fat, for example. I'm not.
Q: Many writers find it difficult to remain motivated during the writing process. Is this ever a problem for you? If so, how do you deal with it?
A: Motivation is a load of crap. Writers write. Motivation is a crutch. You just have to work through the blocks, even if you only get a half-sentence written on a bad day. It's still progress. I guarantee that if you compare motivated and unmotivated writing by the same person you won't be able to tell the difference. That said, sometimes you need a break, take a walk, water the grass, whatever. Every writer has to find their own rhythm. Years ago, when I was starting out, I sometimes sat in my office all day without writing a word, then, invariably, at 4:30 pm I'd start to write. You have to rewrite everything anyway, doesn't everyone know that?
Q: How much planning goes into your books, before you begin to put them on paper?
A: Depends on the book, but pre-production is extremely important. It's not a runaway train. I want to know where I'm going and how I'm going to stop. The ending may change, but it's a target to aim for in every word I write. Travel To The G-Spot has been kicking around for about three years, which is typical. It's pretty easy to come up with ideas for books, but the ones that stick over time are the ones I want to pursue.
Q: Who are some of the writers who have influenced you the most?
A: Writers I admire include Mark Twain, Herman Melville, JD Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey, Hunter S. Thompson, Russell Banks, Robert Stone, Robert Silverberg, Frederick Exley, Wendell Berry, Strunk & White, Robert Hunter, Bob Dylan, everyone who ever wrote for TV and movies, and I would be remiss to leave out Aristotle. The Poetics is da bomb.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with “Travel to the G-Spot”? Distraction.
A: Writing it certainly distracted me from thinking about everything else going on. That's why I write, for the totality and purity of that distraction. One the other end, hopefully it will distract readers from their real lives for a few hours and immerse them in a different world. And I hope it makes them laugh. I like when that happens.
Q: What are your future writing plans?
A: I'm writing a sequel to Travel To The G-Spot. Thanks for asking and thanks for the thoughtful questions
Let’s hear author Steve Cohen’s thoughts on “Travel to the G-Spot” and the writing process.
Q: How did you get the initial idea for “Travel to the G-Spot”?
A: Working as a travel writer, I couldn't help but notice that the travel stories that were published in newspapers and magazines were a lot different than what was left out, which was sometimes the best part of the trip. Even when a travel story was completely accurate, there was more truth that wasn't included. I thought readers might like to know the whole story, warts and all, which you never ever see in the sort of mainstream travel stories I wrote for many years.
Q: What would you say to all the people who think travel writing is a glamorous and easy line of work?
A: To say it's like anything else, and that it's just a job would be false. It's absolutely one of the best ways to spend your time. Sometimes it is glamorous. Sometimes it is easy, when a story falls into place and the check doesn't bounce. The problem is the economics of travel writing. It's a tough way to make a living. It's not impossible, though, and if you want to work hard at it, 7-days a week hard, forever, you can do it, too. However, it is a "job" that is best suited to the well-to-do, the single and mobile, or anyone who otherwise doesn't need the money, a journalist with a wealthy spouse, no kids, for example. Some childless couples are successful travel writing teams. For those with family responsibilities, growing mouths at home to feed and bills to pay, better think twice.
Q: Everyone knows how important it is to live life to the fullest, but most people don’t seem to make a real effort until something life threatening occurs? What do you think prevents people from fully embracing life?
A: Fear. If you want to live a full life, you have to step outside your comfort zone. It scares the crap out of most everyone. It's a good thing to overcome.
Q: To what extent, if at all, do you identify with your central character, Danny Gladstone?
A: Danny and I share certain characteristics, others not so much. He's fat, for example. I'm not.
Q: Many writers find it difficult to remain motivated during the writing process. Is this ever a problem for you? If so, how do you deal with it?
A: Motivation is a load of crap. Writers write. Motivation is a crutch. You just have to work through the blocks, even if you only get a half-sentence written on a bad day. It's still progress. I guarantee that if you compare motivated and unmotivated writing by the same person you won't be able to tell the difference. That said, sometimes you need a break, take a walk, water the grass, whatever. Every writer has to find their own rhythm. Years ago, when I was starting out, I sometimes sat in my office all day without writing a word, then, invariably, at 4:30 pm I'd start to write. You have to rewrite everything anyway, doesn't everyone know that?
Q: How much planning goes into your books, before you begin to put them on paper?
A: Depends on the book, but pre-production is extremely important. It's not a runaway train. I want to know where I'm going and how I'm going to stop. The ending may change, but it's a target to aim for in every word I write. Travel To The G-Spot has been kicking around for about three years, which is typical. It's pretty easy to come up with ideas for books, but the ones that stick over time are the ones I want to pursue.
Q: Who are some of the writers who have influenced you the most?
A: Writers I admire include Mark Twain, Herman Melville, JD Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey, Hunter S. Thompson, Russell Banks, Robert Stone, Robert Silverberg, Frederick Exley, Wendell Berry, Strunk & White, Robert Hunter, Bob Dylan, everyone who ever wrote for TV and movies, and I would be remiss to leave out Aristotle. The Poetics is da bomb.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with “Travel to the G-Spot”? Distraction.
A: Writing it certainly distracted me from thinking about everything else going on. That's why I write, for the totality and purity of that distraction. One the other end, hopefully it will distract readers from their real lives for a few hours and immerse them in a different world. And I hope it makes them laugh. I like when that happens.
Q: What are your future writing plans?
A: I'm writing a sequel to Travel To The G-Spot. Thanks for asking and thanks for the thoughtful questions
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Jennifer K. Lafferty, author of Movie Dynasty Princesses, reviews a wide range of books and discusses various aspects of contemporary and classic literature.
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