I am pleased to have Brad Cotton, author of A Work in Progress at Celticlady's Reviews today!! Welcome Brad....
The questions I get asked
most often:
When it comes to reading, writing, and publishing, I don’t
have all the answers. In fact, I have about 3. However, I do get asked the
following questions most often, so I thought I would take this opportunity to
share my answers with you. Please take these responses with a grain
shaker of salt.
Questions from
readers:
How much of A Work in
Progress is autobiographical?
I get this one a lot, especially after someone reads the
book. The answer is pretty much none of it. The book starts off with the main
character recovering from certain personal traumas – one of them being getting
dumped by his long-time girlfriend who then moves out of the country. That
particular unfortunate event did happen to me. However everything that follows
in the book is complete fiction. I never met or knew any of the characters, nor
did anything in the book ever happen to me, or to anyone I know. I think we all
learned our lesson from A Million Little
Pieces.
Why did you become a
writer?
If you asked my beloved high school English teacher about me,
she would no doubt tell you, “Never heard of him”. What this means is that,
contrary to a popular response, I did not know early on that writing was what I
wanted to do. If class attendance and grades were any indication, most would
have predicted me not on a bookshelf, but more so on parole.
I won’t give you the old cliché that you don’t choose to be
a writer, but that writing chooses you, because I would have to punch myself in
the face. But I will say, it’s a cliché for a reason. I can’t paint, I can’t
sing, but writing just comes naturally. I can’t help but do it. If you look at
my bank statement, you’d know that I didn’t become a writer for the money. So
it must be something else.
What would you be if
you weren’t a writer?
A neurosurgeon or a grocery bagger. Maybe both.
How long did it take
you to write A Work in Progress?
Believe it or not, people ask me this all the time. It took
me 8-months-ish to finish the initial draft. I took a 2-month break in the
middle and was holding down a full-time job at the time. I think people ask me
this to gauge how long it would take them to write one of their own. For that, however,
there is no benchmark. I know people who have written a full-length novel in
two weeks. I know authors who have been working on the same book for 3 years.
If you’re thinking about writing a book – just go and do it. And don’t ask any
more questions about it until you’re done. Go and do it right now. There is no better
time.
Will you come to my
party?
Yes. Yes I will.
Questions from
Writers:
Did you study writing
in school?
That’s a tough one. The answer is no, and yes. While I
didn’t major in English literature, or writing composition, or anything like
that, I always read and studied with a discerning eye. The same goes for
television shows I watched, movies I went to, lies I told, and so on. After a
while, people with a certain disposition tend to pick up on what works, what
doesn’t, what makes a compelling story, and what stalls one. Of course,
everyone will have a differing opinion on these things, but there are some fast
rules that tend to apply across the board. A great line of dialogue, a cool
idea, a punchy sentence, etc., will be just that no matter where you come upon
it. Authors are just people who instinctively take that stuff in, store it, and
then choose to share with others how they see the world (or how they want to
see the world) using what they’ve gathered. (It’s a very similar thing for
stand-up comedians, I would imagine). It’s about perspective and insight and material,
and I don’t think that can really be taught. Delivery, however, can be taught; though
it’s something a writer can never finish practicing… unless you’re Hemmingway.
But I’m not Hemmingway.
How did you get
published?
I got published the old fashioned way. I finished my
manuscript, then found a freelance editor and paid to have it edited myself.
Once I had a polished piece, I began a querying campaign. Many, many rejections
from publishers soon followed, as did self-pity, until one day a letter came in
with a positive response. I am truly thankful for my publisher. Though I’m
considering going indie with my next book.
What? Why are you considering
going Indie?
I’m glad you asked. This answer to this could be a post all
it’s own. I think to sum it up would be to do a disservice. For a thorough
answer that would be close to my own, check out this post from Hugh Howey: www.hughhowey.com/my-advice-to-aspiring-authors/
Do you have any other advice
for aspiring writers?
Yes - there’s no such think as aspiring writers. If you
write, you’re a writer. Just like if you run you’re a runner, and if you paint
you’re a painter. Some make a living doing these things, but most do not.
Read On Writing by
Stephen King. Let as many people read your writing as often as you can. Don’t
expect to make money, but don’t ever stop chasing an audience. Help out other
writers as much as possible, whenever possible. Be prepared to be your own best
marketer/publicist/agent/advocate. Keep writing. Keep reading.
Questions from my mother:
Did you visit your
Grandmother?
I did. You left your scarf there.
General Questions:
What’s your favorite
Book? Movie? Music?
The book that influenced me the most was Catcher in the Rye. If you’re familiar
with all the conspiracy theories related to the title, fear not. I’m far too
apathetic to attempt assassination of a President or a Beatle. It was simply
the first book I was forced to read that actually resonated, and it piqued my
interest in literature. Plus, there’s only two Beatles left… and they’ll get
theirs soon enough.
When I was younger my favorite movie was Braveheart, but… Gibson?
Really? There’s a train wreck I can turn away from. These days I’m more into indie
movies. They seem to have more integrity. I just watched The Words. I liked it a lot. If I had to pick a recent favorite:
Barney’s Version.
If you’re looking for good music, look deep. If you hear it
on the radio you know it will be replaced very soon. Search out music like you
search out books. Follow the path of what you like and find the ones buried. A
few bands in my iPod today: Elbow, Cat Empire, Stars, and P.G. Wodehouse.
That’s an audiobook. Wodehouse rocks.
When is your next book
coming out?
Good question! My next book is called Boundless. It will be out later this year. It’s about two guys, an
escape, a road trip, a pretty girl, a dead body, another pretty girl, and ultimately:
what happens when two people venture out to discover who they really are.
Were can I buy your
book?
How do I get to the
highway from here?
Always head south and hope for the best.
Thank you Brad for stopping by!!!
Thanks Kathleen!
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