Interview with Dex Quoter
Published 2016-03-26.
When did you first start writing?
I wrote my first piece of drama at age ten; my first poem at thirteen; and my first short story at sixteen.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
My greatest joy of writing is expressing something that others perhaps have known, have felt, or seen, have perhaps desired, or secretly wanted, or even lived, but perhaps have never articulated. And when someone says: That's it - you've said it for me like I couldn't . . . What greater joy for a writer!
What do your fans mean to you?
I am humbled and deeply appreciative of any pleasure I can give others.
Who are your favorite authors?
There are too many to mention; but I am in awe of Charles Morgan, Hemingway, Lawrence, Flaubert - to name but four.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Reading of course; listening to music; being outdoors; talking with friends; and listening - Hemingway said you can learn a great deal by listening carefully, but that most people never listen.
What is your writing process?
The senses stimulate something in the brain that generates an idea, and once initiated, and given the freedom to grow, I make of it what I can - if it's worthy, it is used and incorporated into my writing. I am hugely stimulated by listening to music, by looking at art, and by reading other writers' works, and of course by travel and listening carefully to what other people say. Much of what I have written has come to me from other people's conversations.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Life experiences!
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Like other writers who publish on Smashwords have said: I want to see my writing published. Publishing on Smashwords is a great way to see one's work available for others to peruse. Recently I was in an airport waiting lounge where I overheard a conversation between two men who were acquaintances; one was a published writer, who said that he was having a lot of trouble getting his latest novel published. He said that he had been told by a publisher that his company received up to 6000 unsolicited manuscripts a year - need one say any more!
How do you approach cover design?
Like my writing itself, my cover incorporates coded messages - layout, colour, motifs.
Which places have you found to be most inspirational?
I am greatly inspired by nature and the outdoors. When I was writing my manuscript I was living in Vancouver and was aroused by the city's incomparable Stanley Park and its seawall. But then Vancouver is such an interesting city in itself; in the story you will find little cameos of places in the city which, even if you have never been there, your imagination will be stimulated to bring to life in your mind!
I lived and worked for some years in London and it must surly be one of the world's great centres of culture, some of which you will visit in the story.
Oslo in Norway is a very beautiful city and its new opera house is a modern marvel!
And then of course there is Italy! All those who have been there will identify with at least something of what I say in my book about 'Bella Italia'. And if you have not been there, then allow your imagination indulge yourself to taste something of the images of Italy you will find in the novel.
What are you working on next?
I am writing about one of the great Italian artists whose works changed the course of European art history.
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