The Interview

I have been privileged to interview a number of authors over the past two and half years. I'm fortunate enough (blessed, lucky, insanely grateful) that I interviewed my literary heroes (on the fiction and non-fiction side) twice. I've battled nerves and insecurity to dig deep in formulating the questions that as a reader, I desperately wish to know.

It's an almost creepy act - being a word surgeon. Which is what I think of interviewers, journalists, as. You're searching for a way to extract the knowledge, to pull answers, insight and truth from the masters of story. And in my humble opinion, if you've written a book well, you have attained a level of mastery.

Accessibility is a marvel. That authors are willing to open up their thought process for us to pick at, prod and withdraw from, is borderline unbelievable. There are no Sekrits to greatness. Perseverance, craft and fostering talent drive the front. Yes, there are natural talents, but for the most part even these brilly scribes still have to study, research and focus to climb the literary ladder.

We are the lucky ones, able to study their methods, heed their advice and learn from their mistakes. When you come across an author interview, don't just skim the surface. Take a second and third look - much like you take a second a third revision - and soak up what they're offering.

Step away from the urge to rush, rush, rush - and make this journey on the writer road about something other than the result. Let it be in the creation, being the best you can be and taking the time to evolve into that penmonkey. Your work deserves it, and the writers who will one day look to you for advice and inspiration are worthy of it.


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