How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
If
it were not for OpenOffice and its spell checking I could never be a
writer. That said, I seem to go through a lot of scratch paper.
Perhaps it is because I grew up before computers existed. Notes in a
text or other file tend to get lost but when I'm writing something I
intend to complete my desk is littered with things written down on paper
in my nearly illegible handwriting.
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
The
definition of success changes over the years. Early on you want to
have that run away hit so you can “live the life”. A bit later your
focus starts to move towards writing that one book which will last.
Once you approach the big 5-0 you tend to focus on writing something you
really feel needs to be written and hope there will be one other person
at some point in the future who discovers it and claims it made their
life better.
Occasionally
I visit a writing forum or two. I'm always amused at the fledgling
writers striving to make their first work a break out commercial
success. When they ask why I'm amused I tell them they should focus on
writing really good books early on then strive for that big commercial
success with their last book. Why? Because it wags the long tail of
their catalog. Many get offended when they here that, but it weeds out
writers from lottery players. Far too many people putting work out
there think they can write a single story then live on easy street.
They don't want to hear that easy street doesn't have a zip code.
How did you develop your writing?
As
a child I wrote a lot of letters communicating with family members.
The Post Office was all we had back then. I guess that resurfaced later
in life.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
When
it comes to my “geek” book series “The Minimum You Need to Know”
inspiration comes from identifying things developers need to know which
aren't widely documented or, as in the case of the logic book in that
series, are simply no longer taught. My novels come from various
places. In the case of “John Smith” those characters simply refused to
leave me alone until I told their story.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
A glass of Chardonnay by the fire place with some good DVDs.
How often do you write? And when do you write?
I
write when I have both the time and the need. I self publish these
days. I have no deadlines or release commitments. This gives me the
freedom to do it right.
"John
Smith: Last Known Survivor of the Microsoft Wars" is one big interview.
It is a transcript of a dialogue between "John Smith" (who, as the
title of the book implies is the last known survivor of the Microsoft
wars) and the interviewer for a prominent news organization.
Genre – Dystopian Fiction
Rating – PG
More details about the author
Website http://johnsmith-book.com/
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