Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Lyman, South Carolina, a town with good red dirt and easy access to Greer via the dual-lane. My childhood was unremarkable except for a brief stint as a geography prodigy in the seventh grade. I enjoyed drawing, which motivated me to major in Art at Furman University. A couple of years later, I earned a graduate degree in Cognitive Psychology (the motivation for that is still a matter of debate). Since then, I’ve done a good deal of technical writing and instructional design in the corporate world. I’ve also written 16 books, ranging from word play (Acronymonics) to mysteries (Murders by the Book) to self-help (101 Things NOT to Do Before You Die) to memoirs (The Nine Faces of Boo). If I knew what dystopian fiction was, I would probably give that a try as well.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the first in my new Do it Now! series. It’s called Write Effectively Now!, a straightforward guide to developing good writing habits. Unlike many other books on writing, it doesn’t address isolated problems in the neatly segregated categories of punctuation, syntax, diction, and style. Instead, it focuses on common mistakes and misjudgments that make writing uninteresting, unclear, and unconvincing. I hope that this approach will help writers learn to take a broader view and aim for the general goals of clarity, conciseness, correctness, and persuasiveness in their writing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, but I’m willing to learn.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I try to be influenced by every book I read. Sometimes, I see techniques worth trying, and sometimes I see techniques to avoid.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on more titles for the Do It Now! series: Think Clearly Now!, a guide to protecting yourself from spin, misinformation, and deceit; and Maximize Creativity Now!, a collection of proven techniques for releasing creative thought and focusing it to make dreams a reality.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to digital publishing, so I’m still learning about the best ways to promote books. I’ve found a number of sites that let you list a new book for free, but at this point I really don’t have any favorites.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give attention to criticism unless it is motivated by a desire to help you achieve your writing goals.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If your human relations are on a smooth course, it is probable that one of two alternatives is in effect: either you are not being creative or you have conditioned yourself and the others in your environment to accept your abnormal behavior.” (Don Koberg)
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading one of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe books, Too Many Clients.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I haven’t given up on traditional publishers, but for the near future I’ll continue to explore opportunities in digital publishing.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I have several favorites: Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises; Maltz’s Psycho-cybernetics; Phillips’ Your God is Too Small; Koberg and Bagnall’s The Universal Traveler; Riley’s The Book of Bunny Suicides. And I’ll throw in one of my own books, Nerds Among Us.
Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Harris Website
Nice interview, and a very helpful book. I recommend it to anyone who wants to write better.