Dave (see the previous post) just reminded me about the Online Writing Workshop. If you’re a writer looking for a place to sharpen your skills and get some great feedback you should check it out. I recently did an interview with them that is now online. It gives a few more of my thoughts on writing and publishing. Each month there’s a different writer or publishing professional interviewed so you’ll probably learn something new that will help you along if you’re pursuing a writing career.

You can find it here: http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/
Just click on the newsletter/e-groups tab at the top, then click current newsletter (a few lines down from the top,) then scroll about 2/3s down. I’ve pasted a portion of the Q&A below so you can see some of what we talked about.

Tell us a little about your most recent book, The Light Of Burning Shadows.

It continues the story from A Darkness Forged in Fire in a world where magic and muskets coexist, so a time period roughly similar to the late 1700s/early 1800s. It’s certainly in the vein of traditional fantasy — something I’m not the least bit ashamed to say — but there are a few twists. Much of my inspiration is derived from areas that aren’t mined all that often in fantasy, coming from the works of authors and historians like Rudyard Kipling, Bernard Cornwell, Richard Holmes, Michael Shaara, George MacDonald Fraser, Terry Copp, Barbara Tuchman, and T.E. Lawrence, among others. (see interview for more)

You are an historian as well as an editor of history books. What makes history come alive for you?

Inspired research, attention to details, and narrative flair. History is, or should be, about telling a story. That might sound obvious, but too often you see history presented as a dry dissertation of facts. That’s not wrong, but it’s hardly inviting. Worse though, is that if a writer can’t make history interesting then it prompts the question why write it in the first place? Writing is all about communicating. And at the risk of offending my former colleagues in academia, it’s about entertaining, too. (see interview for more)

What advice would you like to give the aspiring author?

The harder you work the luckier you get. I joined OWW and went to Clarion because I wanted to be a writer, but when Del Rey offered me a job I jumped at the opportunity to become an editor and learn the business from the inside. Basically, I spent a seven-year apprenticeship as an editor while using my free time — when I could make some — to improve my skills as a writer. So keep an open mind and plan for the long term. (see interview for more)

Cheers,

Chris

And being a guy head over heels in love I did what any author would do with the first copy of his brand new book – I gave it to my girlfriend 🙂

Here’s a sneak peek of the first box just opened by my editor as a tease…

Beautiful sunny morning here in Syracuse and we’re about to go for breakfast. Yesterday the hotel had round eggs to go with the round sausages. Today we’re hoping for triangles.

Last night we ate at the Dinosaur BBQ, which apparently used to be a biker bar and is now known as one of the best rib joints in the country. The food and service were fantastic, and there were several Harley’s parked out front. We, however, were in a minivan. But we still rocked.

Friend and fellow author C.C. Finlay’s third book in his (presumed) trilogy on magic in the American Revolution goes on sale today. All three books are available in mass market so they’re ideal for summer reading (but really, you can enjoy them all year round 🙂

Ah, yes, the pain. So, I start physical therapy today on my road-running damaged legs. I’m assuming it’s going to be painful, but perhaps sore would be/will be more appropriate in describing the experience. I’ll know by tonight.

This probably won’t come as a startling revelation to you, but I’ve noticed a lot of writers are creative in other areas in addition to putting pen to paper. I know several who are also musicians, at least two that make jewelry both as a hobby and as a side business(see my friend Deb Christerson’s fantasy/nature pieces here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7003693&page=1&section_id=&order= ) one that makes puppets, and still others that draw/paint/sculpt and on it goes. Perhaps it’s the same with musicians and sculptors etc. Are we all Renaissance people to some degree? Myself, I draw, build and paint scale miniatures, and sing horribly at Karaoke and the shower.

You?