"Writer "
1) Why do you write
Sometimes I write something I'm happy about. That seems to be about the only
time it feels like writing is a really great idea. I seem to write to push
something away. I wrote something the other day during a day-long department
"offsite" meeting for work -- which means a couple power point
presentations, lunch and too much coffee -- and it made me happy for a few
days after to think about what I'd written. I enjoyed re-reading it,
changing the odd word, and inputting it into the computer. During those few
days, it seemed to me that it isn't so much "why write" but "why have
written" and I think because it gives me relief from some sort of torture I
put myself through most of the time.
2) Whom do you write for (your sense of an audience or do you write just to
please yourself)
I don't think I write to please myself, although, like I said, I feel
pleased for a time after I finish writing something. I think it's more like
I write to escape something, although I don't know that I could name exactly
what it is I'm trying to escape -- maybe just myself, but how does writing a
little story or vignette help a person escape themself? I'm sure there's a
good theory or two for that. Whoever reads this should just put their own
theory here. I've also started playing the banjo in the last few years and I
love to practice. Again, I seem to escape something in the act of
practicing. I feel healthy in a way I don't generally feel healthy. I
obviously have no idea what I'm talking about.
3) Major influences
Bela Fleck, Juliet Marillier, my son Mark.
4) Whom do you like (actually enjoy) reading?
Anyone who can make me forget. I just read a great biography of Lenny Breau,
and that was great. I loved that the guy included some theoretical stuff
that I couldn't quite grasp. I'm reading The Island of Lost Maps, and the
guy who wrote that makes me remember too much that I'm in the presence of a
writer, when I really want to be in the presence of a story. Juliet
Marillier is the embodiment of everything I think makes for a great writer.
You won't know it when you read her books, at least I didn't until way after
-- and I only saw it by mistake -- but she employs magic as a narrative
device, so a character will look into a scrying pool, but, in reality,
Juliet Marrillier is scrying her characters through her characters. It's the
most refined and subtle use of meta-fiction I've ever encountered, which is
to say, no one would ever accuse Marillier of practicing meta-fiction. Well,
I wouldn't, anyway.
5) And from job interviews: What are your strengths as a writer and what are
your weaknesses if any?
I don't look at life that way. When I'm angry, I hate people who try to make
me see myself that way, and when I'm at my best, I don't care about those
people.
6) Best ever piece of writing you've ever done and why it's the best.
The last thing I wrote is always the best thing I ever wrote.
7) Yes, and most importantly, a sample of your writing.
It's from a while back, not the most recent thing I've
written, or the best, although I like it enough to give it to you.
My wife was sleeping
