What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)?
What are you writing?
How is that going?
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second)?
Is that just an excuse?
Really?
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Anything you feel we should know about?
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)?
Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton, and no, I don't notice a difference.
What are you writing?
At the moment, nothing.
How is that going?
It's going great, I'm actually enjoying taking a break. My second novel Ghost of the Navigator was going great too, but it can wait.
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second)?
We have about two months of constantly warm, sunny weather in England and I make the most of it by getting outside and doing stuff. Yes, there is a world out there that doesn't involve fiction. It sometimes involves the inspiration, but the last thing I want to do right now is write.
Is that just an excuse?
Yes. No apologies.
Really?
Oh fuck off. :o)
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Well, I had an accident last week I could have done without. I hate ash trees. Enough said. Nothing too serious but my knee's still swolen up and I'm now out of the half-marathon I was supposed to be doing next weekend. Guess I'll do some writing instead. It's the aniversary of me beginning the novel I published in June next Sunday, so perhaps I'll get back to the sequel then.
Anything you feel we should know about?
All things considered I'm actually quite happy. I'm a little drunk and perhaps that's why, but that's fine.
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)?
Authority by Jeff VanderMeer. The seasons have never really affected my reading habits.
What are you writing?
A column for LitReactor about Burnt Tongues. It goes live on the 12th.
How is that going?
It's weird. I've had to dig back in my email as far as 2009 for research.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Busy but good.
Anything you feel we should know about?
If you leave a bag of kale in the fridge too long it'll write an alt lit novella.
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)?
Finishing up rereading Choke, and I have Glamorama sitting on my dresser with a bookmark half a chapter in. I also just got an email from my library telling me my copy of Will Christopher Baer's Kiss Me, Judas has arrived on hold. No not really, I just read what I get to when it comes up. Check stuff out, read it. And on.
What are you writing?
Tossing around ideas for some Flash Fiction. Also getting to the root of my writer's block through an idea for a short story. Currently getting to know my character a bit before I start.
How is that going?
Really good actually. I mean...I should be writing more, but I'm happy with how shit's been kind of coming together on its own.
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second)?
Lately when I sit down to get my what if started, every paragraph just doesn't feel good enough.
Is that just an excuse?
Yes.
Really?
Yes, but it's true. It'll pass. It always has so far.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Up and down and all around, but on and on it goes. Things are okay.
Anything you feel we should know about?
I just started a writer's workshop with a couple friends, we're gonna start meeting every week. Pretty stoked.
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)? One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. My reading habits rarely change depending on the weather, though I usually take what could be a more ambitious book on holiday.
What are you writing? Inspired by Arrest Us, I've been building an idea in my head for a noir / hardboiled type story with a twist. Hopefully I'll start putting down the words today.
How is that going? The ideas are there, just need to turn them into words.
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second)? I've just had a big promotion at work, but I'm still in the handover phase so in effect I'm doing two jobs at the same time. It leaves little time for writing.
Is that just an excuse? Depends on your perception.
Really? Truly.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life? I've covered promotion. Been back off holiday for a week now. Enjoying summer holidays with the children. That's about it.
Anything you feel we should know about? Guardians of the Galaxy is pretty damn good. It's Marvel meets Star Wars, and it made me feel about 13 again.
I also enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy.
"What are you doing?"
"Dance-off."
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)? Currently reading Kings On writing. Then get back to a feast for crows. Which I'm finding a bit of a slog.
What are you writing? A really dark short story which is going quite well ( i hope ), and a story about two photojournalists in South Sudan which I've stalled on.
How is that going? I'll get first draft done in about two weeks I think, 1,500 words down already
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second) I am writing, why you no listen?
Is that just an excuse?
Nah.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life? same old, same old.
Anything you feel we should know about? Afghan Whigs live are the bomb
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)?
Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, and my reading habits are consistently all over the place, so in terms of whether the season has any effect, I'd say no but I get grumpy in the spring and fall so that probably alters my selection of reading material.
What are you writing?
Still working on a novel and revising a short story for potential publication.
How is that going?
Both are frustrating because the ideas are fantastic and the writing is pretty nice but my head always gets in the way
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second)?
Because I am a raging ball of emotions, fears, anxieties, indignations, and passions - all of which serve to hold me back or push me forward, both at times when I'm not braced for whichever direction impact may be.
Is that just an excuse?
Nope.
Really?
Yep. Reasons are reasons, not excuses.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Meh. Ok. My home life is fucking great: love my woman, love my cats. Heading back to class in a couple weeks so it'll be nice to be forced to write.
Anything you feel we should know about?
Yes, so many things: don't have kids if you can't commit to loving and raising them; do have your own thoughts and beliefs, and let those guide all your actions; don't adhere to any organized religion, they're all manipulative fictions that never lead to true happiness, only ignorant delusions; do read at least as much non-fiction as fiction, especially history; don't let the media convince you that Israel is only defending itself, that's complete bullshit and easily refuted if you do what I suggested earlier and read your history books; do have a sense of humor... about everything.
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)?
A Single Man and a LIFE magazine I recently bought about aliens, UFOs and other paranormal happenstances.
What are you writing?
I wanted to write a horror story but I keep getting distracted by the horror movies I watch for "inspiration" as well as attempting to rewrite a novel.
How is that going?
Not well. Like, not well at all.
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second)?
I've been rather busy and just generally distractable and easily frustrated.
Is that just an excuse?
Most definitely.
Really?
Nah, I'm just fucking with you. I'm crazy prolific, man. I never stop writing.
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Anything you feel we should know about?
While I'll always believe Cobain really did kill himself because he was clearly a very troubled man, I think it's time people stopped using Courtney for their weird conspiracies and take a hard look at the real fame hungry bitch who'd want Kurt dead: Dave Grohl. Think about it.
What are you reading, and do you tend to read different things in the summer (or winter depending on location)?
Lawrence Block's "Hit Me" and Steve Weddle's "Country Hardball". Seasons don't affect my reading.
What are you writing?
Working on my third MS, three short stories, and a flash piece that needs another coat of varnish.
How is that going?
Very well, thanks.
Well, why aren't you writing / writing more (in general, not this very second)?
I am. Taking an Internet break.
Is that just an excuse?
Nope
Really?
Yep
How are things besides that, you know in the other parts of your life?
Rough July, but things are okay. No complaints.
Anything you feel we should know about?
Excited about a few pieces I've got coming this fall. Some really, really good emails that could lead to really, really good things too.
Also, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - go see it.