Interview with R. Joseph Winters
Published 2016-01-29.
Fave authors?
H.G. Wells, Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, Edgar Allen Poe, Philip K. Dick. Harry Harrison, Fred Saberhagen, Margaret Atwood, WIlliam Gibson, Niel Stephenson, Aimee Bender, author of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Larry Niven, Allen Furst, Thomas Perry, Robert Crais, Daniel Silva. WIll add more. There should be more female authors. I know I suck.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The adventure(s) that await(s) to be triggered by my curiosity. The good and comfy life I have been super fortunate enough to attain. Love, music, words, stories, my own and those penned by others. Our pets. And all the crap I know I have to take care of.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Internetting, watching smart TV and movies. Photoshop, Illustrator, news, reading, the occasional thought.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
By browsing Smashwords and kindle.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
no, but I am sure it was crazy. Probably when I was 15 or so.
What is your writing process?
I get ideas when I am just falling asleep or just waking. The ideas I have don't last halfway through the story because the story tends to write itself.
Example, in the novel I am working on, there was originally only a couple as the main characters. The female lead teaches art. She has one favorite student, Iris.
Well, Iris jumped into my story and took over! The little Brat!.
I start with a spreadsheet which is roughly a list of scenes mixed with raw ideas.
eventually I break down and start writing it out in English, then I go over everything a million times.
I do another spreadsheet with one or two lines describing each chapter, so I can refer back to answer questions that arise.
Then I go over everything a million times and there are still typos.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
You mean beyond Curious George?
I found a box of paperbacks in an empty lot when I was about 10. One of the books was Lizzy Borden. I read that. Then moved on to All the Tarzan novels. I was grounded a lot, so I had plenty of time to read.
How do you approach cover design?
SO far, I do my own, using Poser, Photoshop, and Illustrator. They don't look like most others I see. We'll see how that goes. I find sameness appalling.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Kim, by Kipling, because it is a huge and magical tapestry full of wit and history.
Protector by Larry Niven because it is part of the Known Space system of stories, and is unbelievably creative.
Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison because,deep down inside I am only 14.
Fear and Loathing on Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter s Thompson because it is a genuine exposure to the savory taste of madness.
How to Talk Dirty and Influence People by Lenny Bruce, because it is true.
What do you read for pleasure?
Sci-fi and thrillers. Some non-fiction history.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle
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