But words are things and a drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought and
produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
~Lord Byron
There are many reasons for starting a blog but in
our community most have started their blog because they’re writers. It gets a
writer used to meeting deadlines, choosing interesting topics to write about,
and writing on a regular basis. Blogs help with getting one accustomed to being
a presence in the cyber world. It’s a practical way of learning the promotion
ropes and builds a following. Blogging is also a great way to find support and
encouragement and that’s important when you’re that odd duck called a writer. J
No matter where you are on the road to
publication there are common issues that face all writers. Those who aren't published have this perception, somewhere in the back of their brain, that
those who are published no longer face problems in their writing. That’s not
so. True, published authors have more experience and more confidence in their
abilities but they still have tough days when the words won’t come. They still
have jobs and families that eat up their time when they’d like to be writing.
They still have things they struggle with.
And that common denominator is one
of the reasons I started my blog with the theme:
Sharing the tears and laughter, the glitches and triumphs, authors face in the pursuit of their ambition to write.Periodically, over the next few months, I want to highlight writers from my writing community published and unpublished. I want to share some of their struggles and triumphs. Really we aren't all that different in those areas. Michael Offutt and Stephen Tremp were both willing to answer a few questions for me.
 |
| BUY: AMAZON, APPLE I-BOOKS, B&N, |
What excites you about the genre you write?
I think it's fun writing about people who live extraordinary lives in fantastic worlds.
For you, what’s the best part of writing a story?
The beginning, hands down. It's easy to get excited about a new project.
What do you still struggle with as an author?
 |
| You can find Michael: Website/blog, Twitter, Goodreads. |
Writing conclusions.
Give me a triumph/strength—something you’re proud of or something you've overcome as a writer? The feeling that I'm a special snowflake. I think feeling that one is "special" is dangerous to anyone because it can cause a person to overlook opportunities because they are waiting for something else that will never happen.
 |
| Release Date March 10, 2014 |
Stephen Tremp
What excites you about the genre you write?
That it’s as real as science fiction
can be. Remember, shows like Star Trek used futuristic science concepts that
are today common technology. And science is unlocking the secrets of our
universe in an exciting, and alarming, pace.
What amazing breakthrough discoveries
will we see in the next twenty five years? What will our world be like? What
cures will we have? Will we be mining asteroids and terraforming portions of
Mars? The stuff if science fiction of today could be reality in a very short
time.
For you, what’s the best part of writing a
story?
Working with my editor. This is where we put it all together and
add that additional Wow Factor! I can see the fruit of my labor about to come
to pass. And I can spend much more time with the family.
What do you still struggle
with as an author?
Time. I can write two to three really
good books a year. I just need to the time to do it. So this year I will write
a couple novellas about 150-200 pages each.
 |
| Your can find Stephen: WEBSITE/BLOG, GOODREADS |
Give me a triumph/strength—something
you’re proud of or something you've overcome as a writer?
Researching and finishing a trilogy.
Originally, my story was a screen play that turned into a book. But as I filled
out the outline, it soon became two books, then three. I’m proud I stuck with
it through all kinds of trials. It wasn't easy. But I stuck with it.
Thank you Michael and Stephen for taking the time to answer my questions!
- Have you read Michael Offutt or Stephen Tremp's books? If you haven't stopped by their blogs lately, pop over and say hi!
