World of Writing - Author Interview

World  of  Writing  -  Author  Interview

Loyal readers are already aware that Dave & I truly enjoy hosting interviews discussing a wide array of topics, including the world of writing. 

Today we are pleased to bring back a friend of ours, Stephen F C Porter. Stephen is a member of a group (Urban Gems Indie Writer’s Group ) that I (Lillian) too attend when the schedule allows. There we have become good friends. I've always enjoyed listening to him read noir short stories during this groups meetings. 

Stephen was born in the UK, but is now Canadian, & spent over 20 years working with special needs kids in the public education system. In his life he has worn many hats including: a chef, a special education teacher, and a talk radio producer. Today, he  devotes his time to writing.

Stephen has 3 books available on Amazon, including Teaching in the Spirit that offers an alternative, more compassionate & wholistic approach to teaching kids.

His 2nd book, The Quick and the Quirky, is a collection of short stories varying from science fiction and horror to noir, but always with Stephen's quirky sense of humour. Just recently, however, Stephen released his 3rd book, Just Write Already, which is based on content produced for the Stephen's Scribblings & Scrawls blog.

Stephen invites our readers to connect with him on Facebook or drop by his Author Central page on Amazon.

  

Q: Could you start us off by sharing an introduction to your published material.

A: My author name is Stephen F C Porter. I am the author of Teaching in the Spirit, The Quick and the Quirky and Just Write Already.

Just Write Already acts as a kind of primer and pep-talk to writer’s who are unsure of themselves, people who don't know. how to get started on a project. My intent is to give them all the reasons to just put away the doubts and fears, and start writing. From there il walk them through the process, at least - the process that has worked for me.

Q: How long does it take you to produce a written product, like an article or a book?

A: All of my books were the results of several years of writing diaries, short stories and blog entries. 

I have been writing a writer’s blog for several years, covering all the issues and concerns the average writer may have. I then realized how these posts could be helpful to the new, or doubtful writer. 

When I felt I had enough material to cover a whole book, I went back over and reworked the material until I felt it was ready for publication. So I took all the blog's content and reworked that into a book that will help the newbie writer.

 

Q: Who inspired you to pursue a career in writing? Mentors?

A: No one in particular inspired me to pursue a career in writing. Rather I always had a love for writing and reading. When I retired from teaching and had more time to devote to my writing, it was just a natural progression into putting my ideas down, completing unfinished works. I then started to have a vision for certain writings to be made into a book. A couple of people walked  me through the publishing process, and I realized it wasn’t nearly as daunting a prospect as I had imagined.

 

Q: Are you thinking about writing in another genre?

A: My favourite genre is a combination of noir crime and science fiction. I have a hero by the name of Nick Bannister who has appeared in three of the stories in The Quick and Quirky. I have since completed a few more stories about his adventures, and it is definitely a possibility that his exploits will the subject of my next book.

Q: Dang! That is so cool! I've always enjoyed Nick's adventures :) I'm so glad that you have more ideas to take this character to a new level. Since you write in several genres, attend groups, help other writers... What do you do when you are not writing or attending events?

A: I have a lot of other activities, although I am a member of two zoom writer’s groups. We meet once a week and read and critique and support each other. For an independent writer believe it is so important to have this sense of community in writing. 

I have many hobbies such as working out, playing and singing guitar, reading (of course), walking, meditation. 

I may be retired ....but I am never bored.

 

Q: I can relate to that, having recently moved into semi-retirement as well. Dave and I still run our business and have many goals in the action plan... so I don't think we will ever be fully retired. 

Since you, too, have been a writer for many years... what advice would you like to give aspiring writers that have joined us for this interview today?

A: For that I will refer to my own blog and the book, Just Write Already. 

If you feel you have something important, or maybe not so important, but it is something you want to get out there, then just write. 

Put the words down on sticky notes, blank documents, wherever you will be able to work on it later. Don’t worry about grammar or your own abilities. 

If writing isn’t for you, you will know soon enough. But chances are you do have something of value to share, and you will never know if you don’t start. 

Later on you can fix it up, correct the errors, change what you don’t like. Add new ideas, but for now Just Write Already!

Q:  That is great advice. So few of us are able to get beyond those sabotaging inner voices that tell us we are not good enough, there is too much to do, the lists of information that people tell us we "should" do, and more! The point here is to nurture the writing passion, that creative outlet needs to be free - and sometimes what we produce is worthy of publication. Sometimes that writing project is filed away until we can polish it up or take it to another level. 

You mentioned that you attend several different writing groups and events. Tell us: Why did you become a member? What was it that made you decide to attend? -& - Can you describe what the process of becoming a member is like?

A: There are different kinds of writer’s groups. Some are just online places for writer’s to ask questions and give their own take and advice. Others meet in person, on a weekly basis. And still others are events where writers from all over are able to connect via zoom or some other platform. 

They are an invaluable program for writers to meet up and talk about their own experiences, read their works, and offer and receive critiques and advice. They not only help  the writer with their suggestions, but offer encouragement and guidance in the rather convoluted art of writing and publishing. The Indie Writer’s Group I am currently a member of, provides all these things plus the friendship of wonderful people with a common dream.

Q: What criticism about your writing made you rethink your writing style?

A: I think a common criticism of my writing and I know other’s works is being too verbose. After I do my original draft, the first thing I do is go back and cut unnecessary words. 

We’re taught in school to use the adverbs and adjectives and phrases where often a power verb is much more effective. 

Another habit many writers have is writing just because we can, and we tend to sit back and admire out clever words. 

In most cases, excess verbiage just confuses the reader and detracts from the story. Description can be a marvellous vessel for taking the reader into the story, but when use to excess, it blocks us out.

 

 

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