Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing all my life, so, “how many books” really depends on how you want to count them. There were a pair of riveting children books I wrote when I was 9 about a boy who finds a mouse. Then there were the required angsty/depressed/paralyzing ennui books I wrote in college and shortly after. (Two of which still linger on Amazon…yipes!) And then currently, as the closest thing I can come to as an adult, I have finally released a novel that doesn’t fit into either of the two previously mentioned categories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest “grown-up” book is titled “Rephrame.” Like most things, it came to life through a long simmering mixture of ideas and jokes and questions in the back of my mind. I don’t remember the first time I started thinking, “this could be a book,” but I know it began to come to life about two years ago. Before that, however, there was always this intriguing story a student would tell me about his pet, called “the deathwolf.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think the only truly unusual habit I’ve had is one I’m trying to get away from. For the vast majority of my long fiction, I really have no idea how things are going to end up. At least not when I begin them. I have vague ideas, or hopes, but nine times out of ten, I get to the end and think “well, how about that?”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh book lists. I think this could go on forever. So, a few favorites: when I need to just get out of my head, you can’t be a good old Dumas or Hardy novel. There’s something so quintessentially “old novel” about them. When I want to be confused, I pick up Joyce, and then make disparaging remarks under my breath while not really paying attention to the words (I’m sure they are great works; I am also sure I’m not the brilliant mind to understand them.) Another recent favorite, is David Foster Wallace. Along with JD Salinger and Capote, these are guys who’s every word I will read over and over.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m in the mental debate of salvaging as much as I can out of the first 100 pages of a manuscript I started a few months back. As I’ve dwelled on it, I’ve realized more and more how much opportunity there is in the story, and that I can’t just write it and see what happens (see: unusual habits above).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Buddy, if you guys have any tips on this, I would love to hear them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
This is absolutely the best time to be writing. There are so many opportunities to publish that didn’t exist even 10 years ago when I first started looking for an agent. Don’t get discouraged too soon, but don’t get too carried away either. This is the world’s impression of you. Do your best. Do something you can be proud of. And don’t forget the point of it all: to share our stories.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Wear thick gloves if you are going to try to learn whittling. (I had to hear this twice before it really stuck, however)
What are you reading now?
“Dorfpunks” by Rocko Schamoni
“The Lost Bible” by J. R. Porter
What’s next for you as a writer?
The goals for me have always been the same. Push a little farther. Find the next step and take it. I’m currently trying to wrap my head around marketing and promotion in a way I haven’t wrestled with before, so, many evening researching, trying ideas, looking for clever plans. Lots of throwing noodles at the wall to see what sticks, so to speak.
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?
Beyond the clever “How to build a boat” type answers….
“Infinite Jest” by David Foster Wallace. This is its whole little world and I can’t get enough of it.
“Remembrance of Things Past” by Marcel Proust. Okay so maybe technically this is 7 books, but I’m sure somebody said Harry Potter on here before. Like Wallace, this is a story I just fell into and loved being there.
“Catcher in the Rye” by JD Salinger. Yes, it is a super trite answer, and a super short book for a desert island, but I think being able to touch base with someone else who was constantly griping would help my outlook on things. “These coconuts are a bunch a damn phonies!”
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