SOJCast Interview

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that Stacey Roberts and Mark Gosson from the SOJCast had invited me to do an interview with them to talk about Fassen Files and Sing .  The newest SOJCast is now available for your listening pleasure. For those of you downloading episodes on iTunes it's entitled:  Needless Distraction . If you're not already a fan, then this would be a good time to become one. You might even learn something about politics (and certainly the election ballots) in Kentucky while you're there. 

This interview was a lot less nerve wracking than I expected it to be and this is largely due to these guys' interviewing/people skills. Within a minute or two of talking I almost forgot the conversation was being recorded.

In the course of the interview we discussed the creative process--always a topic of interest to me. I think this is true for a lot of writers--we all have the burning desire to know whether we're weird or whether our own process is broken or if there's an easier way to accomplish our ends.  Over the years, I've learned that while you might be able to break the "types" into large groups of people who write organically (no formal plotting--I'm a member of this group) and those who sit down with a map, timeline and notes, there really are no two people who do it the same exact way. 

So when I meet two writers, like Stacey and Mark, who are successfully co-writing a book or a story, I'm fascinated. How does one dovetail two individual writing styles and habits? The only time anyone has ever offered to co-write anything with me, it was more like:

Them:  Hey! I have an idea! Lets write a book together!

Me: (Cautiously): Okaayy. I'm listening.

Them: See! I have all these great ideas, but I just don't have the time to write them. So I was thinking that if I told them to you, then you could write them and publish them and we could split the proceeds.    

So far I've managed to avoid laughing outright in anyone's face, but it's been close.  

But these guys not only seem to do it successfully, in the same room, at the same computer, every week, they've managed to remain friends. Which should tell you something about the strength of their friendship. And this camaraderie shines through in their podcasts as well. I cannot wait for them to release their own work as I'm sure it's going to be every bit as good. 

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Thanks guys. It was fun. And best of luck in your own writing.