Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, I’m a mathematician by training, but writing is my forte. I started meditating about 3.5 years ago. It changed my life. I learned so much from it and the philosophy of Buddhism. One day, I got an urge to start writing it all down. It took me 2.5 years since I’m a perfectionist. Although this is the only book I’ve written, I’m currently working on a second one.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book’s name is Crooked. I think the The teachings from one man really influenced me: Shunryu Suzuki. He’s the author of Not Always So and Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. He also had a biography written about him titled Crooked Cucumber, which is one reason why I choose my title.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
On average, I spend about thirty minutes on every single sentence. Since I meditate every day, my mind is practically empty. When I go to write, I just sit there and let my mind ‘search.’ Being empty, it can let in a lot of ideas. About every thirty minutes, it gets an idea for how to word the next sentence in a unique way.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
See above. Stephen King has also been a great influence on me. He has such incredible ability to make you feel like you’re inside his novels and watching his characters converse. My favorite works by him include It, Under the Dome, and Christine.
What are you working on now?
Essentially, it’s a book that’s very similar to this one. It just touches on subject matters that I did not cover in Crooked.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I shared excerpts on Facebook throughout my 2.5 years of writing it. When it was done, I had a long line of people that wanted a copy. Nowadays, I’m doing market research to find others ways to promote my work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read as you write. And if you really want to stand out, expect to read and write at least four hours a day. Stephen King said it concisely: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all else: Read a lot and write a lot.”
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“To study Buddhism is to study yourself. To study yourself is to forget yourself.”
A student walked up to his master and said, “Master! My practice is bad! I can’t seem to find the right path!” The master replied, “It will pass.” A few weeks later, the student returned to his master and said, “Master! My practice is so much better! I feel like I’m finally on the right path and understanding everything!” The master replied, “It will pass.”
What are you reading now?
A few Stephen King books. Near-Death Experiences by P.M.H. Atwater. Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Trying to get my name out there.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Ones that I haven’t read. Allow me one last book spree on Amazon before I go. 🙂
Â
Chris Foster’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile