Interview with Lee Beck
Published 2019-05-12.
What drives you to be a writer?
This is a hard question to say the least. I suppose what drives me most to write is that I want to leave something behind for me to be remembered by. I have spent an eternity being selfish and taking. I am done. I want to leave behind a positive contribution to society. Writing, for me, is an outlet to do this as well as a coping mechanism for my anxiety and depression. I use writing also to cope with my substance abuse recovery. Six years+ clean!
When did you start writing?
I began my literary pursuits in about 2013. I started having opeds published by local newspapers as well as writing articles for a recovery magazine in New York, Spotlight on Recovery. I have always been a writer, but I never took it seriously until I was thirty three years old. Late bloomer I guess.
What do your fans mean to you?
Anyone that follows my work is really important to me. Anything I earn as a writer I put right back into my writing. My fans mean a lot because they help support me, help keep me driven and hungry, and also keep me humble.
What are you working on next?
I am currently inputting old manuscripts into digital form. Right now I am getting ready to upload a pschological/supernatural thriller called Iniquity. It's an old manuscript from 2013.
Who are your favorite authors?
This is a toughie! I love Dean Koontz. The Odd Thomas books changed my life. But, I do get down with some Tolkien, Rice, and King, of course. Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl, was a game changer for me as well.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
To make a difference. I need to get up to make a difference and leave behind a positive legacy. I work a 9-5 as a call center supervisor and I do tattoos in my spare time. I wish I could live off my writing, but that isn't in the cards now. I need to get up to make a difference and to keep my promises and responsibilities. Plus, it helps to have a very beautiful fiancee and an amazing puppy!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Tattooing
Drawing
Working Out
Playing my Switch
Spending time with my fiancee, Becca
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
No.. it has been too long and the manuscript lost to the ages.
What is your writing process?
I usually form an idea. Then I like to draw what I call a Story Tree with a basic idea of how I want to do the story. Then I do character sheets as I writer, like D&D, and I also do lots of notes!
If you had a million dollars, what would you do first?
The first thing I would do would be to give back a portion to charity. Then it's all fair game. From there I would definitely spoilt those dear to me and then open up a little tattoo parlour and dedicate time to that and my writing!
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