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Author Q&A's
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[Closed] Author Q&A: Glenn T. Schaefer
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How did you begin writing?What inspired you to write Oh! You're One of Those People?
Was publishing your book a difficult process?
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Here are the answers:“How did you begin writing…?”
I’m guessing that everyone has that “ah-ha” moment when they decided that perhaps people enjoyed the words you were putting on paper. I do remember my first laugh at something I wrote which was a letter of resignation to my eighth grade Algebra teacher noting that I was tired of combining numbers and letters. It shouldn’t be that way. English had letters and math had numbers and I saw no need for cross-pollination and having survived not one but two college algebra classes, I would write the same letter all over again. I was thrilled that he read the letter to his class before each semester of algebra and it was included in his retirement presentation 20 years after I penned that literary masterpiece. My feeling was that if a crabby old teacher chuckled at my work at age 13, maybe I could find relevant subjects to write about. It was four years later that my editorial in the Morris High School newspaper as editor in chief caused the release of the football coach. That’s when I learned that there was power in words.
“What inspired you to write ‘Oh, You’re one of those People?’
The first thoughts of “Oh, You’re One of those People were to act as bar napkin therapy. Note in a journal form that would make me feel good and document my journey but just for my self-serving purpose. There more people that read the manuscript, the more people suggested that I get it published and while the subject matter is still a bit awkward for me to discuss, I have learned that there is a message in those paragraphs and it has lead me to become very active in the homelessness situation both locally and nationally. I also wanted people to know that there
were many wonderful people in the world but still many who branded or attached a stigma to the problem. That part is not fair and that is what I want to accomplish…remove the stigma as much as possible. I lived the social mess that I described and no amount of tears or nights of pulling blankets over my head would change the fact that “if you’re walking through hell…just keep walking.”
“Was publishing your book a difficult process…?
The first publisher that I worked with was just a bit self-serving. He wanted to change the title and the cover design which were two of the items that were most important to me so we got off to a bad start. I opted to go where I had graphic design control and the content. This wasn’t a fictional novel where we could re-write the ending. Every word on every page is the real deal. Once I settled in to working with people who were on the same side of the vision, the process went well. I was too antsy, however. I was more concerned with getting the final product out than maybe tweaking here and there.
“When did you know you wanted to be an author…?
Since I had been writing for magazines, websites and blogs, mostly on the college and professional sports scene, it wasn’t a real stretch to decide to make the “real life author” thing be a part of my life and now that I am committed to a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts in creative writing…I will be sitting at the writing desk even more often. I love to tell stories and while my writing can be casual and often not “highbrow lit” I feel I can evoke emotion and if I can tell my story and have someone laugh or cry, then the mission has been accomplished. Know that I am probably crying along as well.
My heart is mostly worn on my sleeve.
Here is the synopsis:
It might be the person sitting next to you in the movie theatre. Could be the person at work with the perpetual smile. It's difficult to always recognize someone suffering with the perils of depression or the humiliation of being homeless. These are not "diseases" that always select the socially downtrodden as is the public perception, but can alter the lives of anyone. Depression is not a choice nor is it a fault and it can cripple the strongest.
Those suffering from depression don't always know how to reach out for help fearing embarrassment and ridicule, but when they do, it's important to listen, care and extend a helping hand. Depression is real and it does hurt. Medication can help, therapy can aid the efforts, but if you are a friend of someone with depression...reach out and squeeze a hand.
That will be remembered.
Having been born and raised on the south side of Chicago, two things were learned...almost at birth. Deep dish pizza was a culinary gift to mankind and rooting against the Cubs was almost as fun as becoming a life-long White Sox fan. Even a move to the rural areas of Illinois didn't curtail the passion for Chicago sports teams....and certainly not for pizza. A third possible lesson learned is that there really isn't a Sasquatch anywhere to be found and never will be.
After a rather uneventful two years at Eastern Illinois University studying journalism in his first life, Schaefer recently returned to school to complete a degree in Public Relations and Marketing and is continuing his educational process by working on a Master's Degree in Fine Arts concentrating on creative writing at Fairfield University in Connecticut. After 20 years on the streets selling advertising for CBS radio and television, the current passion is teaching at the college level and to help students expand their creative thoughts through the written word. The author's work can be found in numerous newspaper columns and sports blogs across the country.
Schaefer also works with the National Coalition for the Homeless as an advocate and at various local organizations serving those who are dealing with homelessness or depression. For information how you can serve, contact www.nationalhomeless.org.
Please post answers by June 28. Keep in mind for all of you aspiring authors that Q&A's are a *great* way to score advice from the professionals! :)