My First Interview

“Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”
― Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

In the past I've discussed my stories with friends, loved ones, and occasionally mentioned them in fleeting tweets and Facebook posts. Never before had I talked so openly about writing that includes my history with the craft - my process, my failures and successes, my thoughts - with a complete stranger.

Until last night.

Last night, for over forty minutes, I took part in my first press interview regarding Seeing (out in the spring from Winter Goose Publishing). The interviewer for the Vestal Town Crier, Darla, asked questions regarding the book (I was quite generous with a description of the story - not too generous though) and then went beyond that. We talked about my two day jobs, my previously published stories, what kinds of stories I like to write and read, and even delved a bit into my unpublished work.

Having never been interviewed before, I didn't know what to expect. In the days leading up to the interview session, I'm not afraid to admit I worried about how I would answer some questions. The last thing I wanted was to stutter and stumble over responses (to have a lot of "Umms" and "Uhs"). Most writers are better writers than they are orators, this is why, I believe, it's their chosen profession (I believe I fall into this category). In preparation, I went so far as to have notes on hand to read from if it so happened I felt my words, my train of thought escaping me. What happened, though, over the course of those forty minutes was something I didn't expect. A kind of magic. My fears alleviated.

Not once did I look at my notes. Not once did I lose my train of thought. If anything, I was able to discuss a lot of things at length and found great comfort answering the questions posed. I may have even rambled. That won't surprise a lot of those that know me, my wife included, who knows how talkative I get when good ideas strike.

Anyway, I don't want to spoil any of the interview before it hits the stands. I hope it turns out to be a very interesting article and when the time comes for it to be published, I'll post on the blog along with Twitter and Facebook where copes of The Crier can be found.

For those out of the immediate Binghamton and Vestal area, I will do what I can to get it online.