Authors Interviews
When did you start writing?
As a youngster, writing was always my favorite subject in school. Writing was always a passion of mine but life got in the way. Now that I am retired, I can pursue my passion full time.
Vali Benson
When did you start writing?
The first time I remember writing is in High School. I was doing the assignments but not to spec. I was always doing something different than what they asked for. I half-heartedly wrote for a long time before actually sitting down to write in 2017, which resulted in my first book.
Stephen E. J. Tomporowski
When did you start writing?
I have read countless paperback books in the Science Fiction, Adventure and Paranormal genres. I always found myself thinking I could have made a story a little different and maybe more exciting or plausible. The scientific views and technological devices had to have a realistic background. The story had to be believable. The story had to begin with a real event. With a real threat, I wanted a story that would span many years with actual historical events to bring the reader to the present. I hope I accomplished my goal.
Sam B. Miller II
When did you start writing?
I've enjoyed writing ever since I learned how to. For most of my life I have only written for enjoyment, short and often witty or satirical pieces, for a limited audience. I started writing as a post retirement profession for both fun and to see if I could write a major work.
Mark Rutherford
When did you start writing?
I have always enjoyed writing and thinking up stories, but I didn't put them down on paper at first. My writing started with my own diary. I had been writing so many stories in it that I thought I would publish it, but then I got too shy and realised I had to change it to Fantasy and that's how it all kicked off.
T. M. Caruana
When did you start writing?
I was a weird kid, I used to hand write newsletters for the family.
Matthew C. Woodruff
When did you start writing?
Looking back, I think my initial writing outlet came in the form of writing letters to my sister, who lived in London, when I was a child. I did dabble in writing fiction when I was around 11 or 12, but I don't think I was very good at it. My next outlet was my job in Training & Development. As part of designing the course, I had to write workbooks, so that scratched the writing itch for me. Several years after leaving that role, I had no writing outlet so the desire to write started to become stronger and stronger, culminating in writing my first book, in 2011.
Irial O'Farrell
When did you start writing?
I actually started writing before I could write. My mom showed me pages from her old bibliofile notebook where I drew squiggles and told her it was a story. Then had her translate the story underneath. Needless to say, I was often considered a bratty child, but I held the title with honor.
E. N. Crane
When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was 13. I had always been a huge reader, and I had recently gotten into Stephen King. I read his novella 'The Body' (aka STAND BY ME) and was enthralled by it. I finally tried my hand at a short story in a similar vein; it wasn't very good but the experience was enough to make me want to write again, and get better.
Eric Nierstedt
When did you start writing?
I wanted to write as soon as I learned how to. I wasn't any good but scribbled away from the time I was seven or eight onward. I got readable about the time I graduated college.
C. T. Phipps
When did you start writing?
Even though I struggled with English due to a childhood illness I have always been a storyteller. Though it has only been in the last two years I have become serious about my writing to the point where I literally write every day.
Marieke J. Treloar
When did you start writing?
I've been writing poems and short stories since I was in second grade. I've also kept journals and diaries on and off throughout my life. Writing has always been what I've used to express myself in one way or another. But I really began thinking of myself as an author and a writer about ten years ago. I took a few courses on writing for children and adults and I discovered that I could find time each day to write. After that, I committed myself to write a little bit every day and I've set goals for myself to complete different writing tasks. Now writing is a natural part of my day and life.
Krissy Baccaro
What makes writing your passion?
My English Literature teacher in grade 12, Ms. Burgess, had an in depth knowledge about John Keats. I remember her explaining the final line in 'Ode to a Grecian Urn' to me because I was studying that poem:
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
Those lines struck me, and I suppose, I was a romantic at heart, have always been, and since I've studied that poem with other writer friends and discovered that it was in the process of writing that poem that Keats discovered five universal truths about humanity and its needs: deep affection, community, self-worth, creativity and acceptance, beauty, and a sense of meaning or overview of life. Thus, I strive for writing that increases the value of humankind. This is my passion.
Frank Wayne
When did you start writing?
Five years ago, I wrote my first book "Der kleine Modelguide" the German version of Keep Smiling.
Tiana Pongs
When did you start writing?
I started writing in 2017 when I began my debut novel, Hy Brasil: Island of Eternity.
This went on to take a First Place in the 2019 Pencraft Awards.
Since then, I've published two further novels, Crabb and Carnivore.
I've also composed several volumes of short stories and poetry, including Poems & Short Stories, Volumes 1 and 2, The Book of Mostly Gibberish (With Some Good Stuff Too) and Words of a Feather.
Robert E. Kearns
When did you start writing?
I empty nested unexpectedly when my 15 year old left home early to move to Boston to play Hockey. With all my free time and anxiety I started an expressive arts project. When I stopped writing 7 years later I had a series of 8 stories about the excitement of the individuation process from my children's point of view.
Rae Elliott Williams
When did you start writing?
I have written all my life, mostly poetry but for several years I wrote for a very successful football fanzine. I would always write books and make up characters for my son and read them to him when he went to bed. Now he is 9, this pleasure has gone as he far too cool for Dad's ramblings!
David E. Miles
When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was in elementary school. I used to love writing stories and wanted to write I book when I grew up. I didn't write much when I entered my teen years and eventually stopped writing once I reached adulthood. However, that changed in late 2013 when I was inspired to write a reincarnation romance.
Laura Simmons
When did you start writing?
I started writing at a fairly young age. I have several memories that give a timeline of my early writing efforts. One is when I was in the fourth grade. The teacher had us write a short story. I recall she was impressed with mine and had me go to the front of the class and read it aloud.
The second memory is a story I wrote around the age of ten or maybe eleven. I don’t recall this story as well as the other, but my mother says she still has it and tells me from time to time how good it is. I suspect much of that is just a mother talking. But those are two instances that give an indication of my age and first attempts at writing something of substance.
Oliver Phipps
When did you start writing?
I have been writing in some form or fashion since I was about ten years old. I have always written poetry and short stories just for my own creativity. However, I started writing professionally as an author back in 2017.
Sean Michael Paquet
When did you start writing?
I have always enjoyed writing but I never saw myself as an author. Several people asked me if I planned on writing a book so eventually, I decided to. So, I officially became an author in May of 2019.
Tori Shaw
What makes writing your passion?
Once I started writing, ideas kept popping into my head. So many became unfinished stories sitting on the computer or in a notebook because I would get another idea. My passion is to tell all of my unfinished stories.
Michael Kelso
When did you start writing?
Early in high school, I discovered my ability to write well. I wasn’t the best student, but boy, when there was an essay question on a test, I aced it every time whether I knew the correct answer or not. So, I began writing stories, then novels...
Gail Meath
When did you start writing?
Eric Howlett - I began writing quite some time ago. I love movies and books of all genres, and that fueled my interest to come up with my own stories.
Nikki Dixon - I began writing when I was around 10yrs old. I loved writing short stories, and I...attempted to write poems. They weren't very well written, but I tried!
Howlett and Dixon
When did you start writing?
I started by imagining. I was an avid child reader and movie-watcher, particularly of historical fiction. In my head I would write elaborate parts into each story for a little girl, my age. I called it daydreaming. I think I finally put pen to paper in high school.
Rita Dragonette
When did you start writing?
I've been writing on and off since I was a teenager to cope with my mental illness struggles. I began writing this novel in 2016.
R. A. Schwartz
When did you start writing?
My 2011 Camino de Santiago experience so profoundly moved me that I wanted to tell everyone about the pilgrimage and the stories of the wonderful women I met along "the Way."
Jane V. Blanchard
When did you start writing?
I started writing in 1988. I have been a medical social worker for over 40 years. I saw how hard it was for my patients and their families, so much fear and anxiety. I started writing books and articles with a healthcare theme to empower and educate them so they could feel less alone and have more control over their care.
Iris Waichler
When did you start writing?
I started writing in early 2016, I'm an avid reader and at the time wondered why not try it myself and have the endings and story the way I wanted it. Now four years later I have two series that are on Amazon.
Alexi Ferreira
When did you start writing?
I wrote my first novel (in French) at age 17. My first book was published (in France) when I was 24.
Pierre Rehov
When did you start writing?
I started writing back in 3rd grade. Though it wasn’t until middle school that I actually shared my stories with others, and it wasn’t until recently that I actually had the courage to publish them in paperback and kindle.
Veronica Sierra Lawson
When did you start writing?
I’ve always dabbled in writing short stories and poetry, taking a variety of adult ed classes and junior college course, but not seriously committing to the process until I joined a writing club and critique group.
Diane M. How
When did you start writing?
I started in my late teens, and wrote a lot of bad poetry. I got a little better at writing as time went on and got some of my poetry published in local anthologies. I even won an award for one of my poems titled “Refrigerator Opera”, so my writing, like most people’s writing, improved in time.
Andy Kumpon
When did you start writing?
I kept a journal while in the military. Someone got a glimpse at a few of my entries and he said it read like "nutritional information" in a K-Ration. I decided to dress up my following entry. Jimmy Carter was president then. One paragraph led to another... and here we are.
Shem Shmentov
When did you start writing?
I think I've been writing all my life. I'm dyslexic so when I was a child it was a way to hide my thoughts because no one could read what I wrote. Writing was kind of a game actually.
Lexy Duck
When did you start writing?
Even as a child, I wrote "novels" (mostly never finished) just for fun, but as an adult, academic writing sort of took over my bandwidth.
N. L. Holmes
When did you start writing?
I didn't take it seriously until I got ready to retire from the Army about 10 yrs ago. Before that it was a book here and there, but work and war keep me busy. When my time in uniform wound down I started thinking of how to make a real go at it.
Christian Warren Freed
When did you start writing?
I can't remember a time when I wasn't writing. In my youth I wrote poems and some song lyrics. I wrote essays in school and in college worked for the student newspaper, which led to writing journalism pieces and magazine articles. Soon, articles led to books, and more songs.
B. Roman
When did you start writing?
Writing began for me in the third grade. I wrote poetry about chess and Norse mythology. With no writers in my life, I have no idea what inspired this. My first submission was an article for “Dragon” magazine. They rejected it of course. But I was on my way! …sort of.
Scott Coon
When did you start writing?
I hadn’t written a story, other than what we used to have to do in grade school, until about 10 years ago. At that time, several things happened:
i) The kids were a little bigger, I found I had a little more time, and I started to read grown-up books again, using my imagination in a way I hadn’t in ...
Heather Lynn
When did you start writing?
I started writing very short stories as a young teenager. I think I just had an overactive imagination and needed an outlet. I sold a short story to DC Comics when I was fifteen.
James E. Sanford, Jr
When did you start writing?
I started writing as a kid, I was introduced to writing creative stories and writing rap lyrics around the age of nine or ten years old. So I've been writing my whole life.
S. L. Jackson
When did you start writing?
Writing for me started out of necessity. I was past of a helicopter rescue unit in the USAF and after a rescue we would have to file a report. I found myself very detailed and actually enjoyed the process. I first attempted a fiction book while stationed in Iraq for a year. There I took a Disney TV show I enjoyed as a child Gummi Bears and whole a novel about their origins. It was fun and I still have the draft.
Brent Golembiewski
When did you start writing?
I started within a few months of retiring from law enforcement. My husband suggested I write the stories I'd told him for years I wanted to tell. I bought several writer's magazines and began taking workshops and seminars to learn the craft.
Chris Karlsen
When did you start writing?
I wrote a terrible poem when I was seven years old because I was a little jealous of my older brother writing one. My poem had "happy" rhyming with "sappy." Yeah. I read incessantly as a child living on a remote ranch in Arizona, and I came to adore essay questions at school. There was never enough paper room for my wordy answers. Going into the business world, I continued my love for words in a non-fiction corporate setting with writing, interviews, and features. I went back to college to finish my degree as an adult and stumbled into journalism. Talk about life changing! I learned how to write concisely and how to grab a reader on the first line. I use my journalism to this day to hook readers in the first line, first paragraph, first page of the novels I write . . . and I keep doing that until the book is finished.
Jodi Lea Stewart
When did you start writing?
I started writing a long, very long time ago. I then put it aside as I had children and my focus had shifted a lot, especially when I had my twin daughters. I then picked writing back up in 2010 and haven’t stopped.
Ellie Douglas
When did you start writing?
I started writing in 2010 at the end of a business career as a serial entrepreneur. I had sold my last business which I had built from start-up and the new owners required me to continue as acting CEO of the company for the next twelve months. My presence was hardly justified and so I filled my time by writing a memoir of my business experiences in the UK, Canada and Australia, which resulted in 'Toughing It Out: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur' being published in 2012.
John Holliday
When did you start writing?
A bit later in life, I decided to fulfill a long-held dream to write novels. I began in 2008 and in 2010 published "Currents Deep and Deadly," the first book in the Darcy Farthing Series.
Arleen Alleman
When did you start writing?
I began writing around the age of twelve. When I discovered I could make the characters in my stories do what I wanted them to, I really developed a passion for it.
R. J. Hanson
When did you start writing?
When I was very young, around 11 or 12 years old. I started by writing in notebooks, using them first as diaries, and then later creating fictional characters.
Anna D. Jenkins
When did you start writing?
I started writing poetry back in my teenage years, but began writing serious prose 3 years ago. I wrote a short story based on an idea I had about time, and went from there.
Gareth Howells
When did you start writing?
I've been a scribbler all my life, but only began creating novels when I retired in 2014. My first attempts were rather mediocre: six novels that I self-published quickly taken up by friends and family then petered out. Since completing a creative writing module with the Open University in 2019 I've re-invented myself as an author. Hence, I consider 'To Run Before the Sea' my first quality work.
Michael Rothery
When did you start writing?
I published my first (of 13 books), while I finished my doctorate as I was writing my dissertation and leading a school as an assistant principal. I then went on to write academic books while I had my decade of being a tenured professor. I met a woman who transformed my life when I did my first inspirational book and the rest is history! Now, Ball Gowns to Yoga Pants is my fur book geared for inspiring entrepreneurs!
Dr. Shellie Hipsky
When did you start writing?
I've always received good grades in literature class in school but I never thought I'd become an author until 2014 :) For 7 years, I've worked hard on my book series that came to me in a dream. I know that sounds like an author's cliche answer, but it's true!
YzaDora
When did you start writing?
It started in October 2018. I’ve always loved reading, but never thought about writing before. It was triggered by a dream I couldn’t get out of my head. A switch was flipped inside my head. Suddenly all those words were there, inside me, pressing their way out. That's the reason I started writing Fallen Angels.
J. C. Seal
When did you start writing?
I actually started writing when I was only eight-years-old, and I haven't been able to put a pen down since. Needless to say, I have improved since then. It took many years to get published because life got in the way - earning a Ph.D. and college teaching. Still, I always kept perfecting my craft and when the market opened up for 1940s-style mysteries, I was ready.
Sharon Healy-Yang
When did you start writing?
My first Word manuscript save was one evening on 14 June 2016
David Harvey
When did you start writing?
I guess I started in second grade. My teacher, Mrs. Norslein, had stacks and stacks of brown newsprint with light blue letter guides available for us to practice our cursive letters. After I mastered cursive writing, I started using that newsprint to tell stories, and I guess I never stopped.
I started getting serious about writing while I was in college, and my first book came out in 2007.
Sean Patrick Little
When did you start writing?
Unofficially when I was 11. I thought my Dungeons and Dragons character needed an epic story of his own. Never got through that one.
Later, about 3-4 years ago, I was going through some personal crises and needed to write to give myself a distraction and purpose. Haven't stopped since.
Jeff Schanz
When did you start writing?
I never even thought about writing until I was in my early 20's. It was not something I enjoyed in school, preferring to be outside playing sports.
That all changed when I started reading romance novels. I was hooked for life. I started envisioning stories in my head, characters I would love to read about. The sexy Alpha male. The kickass females, until one day I sat down and put it all on paper. (no computers back then LOL) I wrote a full-length romantic suspense and it completely sucked. The premise of the story was solid, but my writing skill wasn't.
I shoved it in a closet with disgust and walked away for years. It was only five years ago I had the time to sit down once more and type out the story clamoring in my brain, and the Storm Series was created!
A.R. Vagnetti
When did you start writing?
October 31st, 2018, sometime in the afternoon, at the ripe old age of 53.
Sam Anthony
When did you start writing?
I was part of a metaphysical group that was ending and a friend, James Johnson, said he wanted to write. With no thought I answered, “If you write, I’ll write.” Within days we started a joint cookbook. It is based on women from history and myth (Dangerous Dishes and the Food they Inspire). It was such a wonderful experience that we both have continued writing and have several books each.
Toni Kief
When did you start writing?
I think I've always been writing. My son mentioned a couple of days ago that he remembered me sat at the dinning room table with a notepad always while he and his brothers were growing up.
CB Lyall
When did you start writing?
I started writing science fiction short stories during the late 1960s while I was in high school. I started publishing software engineering technical books in the early 1990s. Finally, I started writing novels in the early 2000s.
Donald Firesmith
When did you start writing?
I started seriously writing romance about nine years ago, after some life-changing surgery. I've been writing short stories forever. I recently retired from my 20-year day job as a newspaper reporter - covering human interest, murders, crime, government and schools. I want to write stories with happy endings.
Tara Eldana
When did you start writing?
I began writing eleven years ago on a whim.
Susanne Leist
When did you start writing?
I published my first novel in 2016 but have always written stories and journals, and also blogged for businesses.
Renee Regent
When did you start writing?
I started writing fiction in December 2012, aged sixty-seven.
Ted Tayler
When did you start writing?
Thank you for having me by the way! (laughs) Oh I'm not totally sure when the writing bug bit me. Probably in junior high school... maybe? I was really into comics in my early teens, and I think those books prompted me to start crafting my own stories. I wanted to do my own comics, you know? So then I'd imagine where the books would go after they ended and draw that out on paper.
Brandon Keaton
When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was in high school. It started with just short stories and my love for writing and creating grew into something more. I've continued writing over the years but have just recently published my first two books.
M. C. Clay
When did you start writing?
I started writing in my teens and have been writing ever since.
Billy J. Barnum
When did you start writing?
I began writing as a teenager, but never finished a book or sought readers. I didn't really start up again until after some life changing events two decades later.
Rodzil LaBraun
When did you start writing?
I can remember writing stories for all sorts of things back to when I was maybe 4 or 5 years old. It was at about age 13 that I began to seriously pursue writing as something more than just for fun - it was now a passion and a dream that I wanted to become a mystery author. After a few short stories, news articles, and other pieces being published throughout the years, I was thrilled to finally have my first novel accepted by a publisher. My love of writing still burns bright and strong, even after all these years!
Sallie Moppert
When did you start writing?
I have been a lifelong daily newspaper journalist but only ventured into fiction about 18 months ago.
Mike Rickett
When did you start writing?
I was about six when I dictated a story to my mother about my trip to the Land of Oz ... and here I am getting ready to write my own Oz book for NaNoWriMo. Being six, I ran out of steam quickly, but at about ten I finished a short story, and by middle school I was writing regularly.
Mark R. Hunter
When did you start writing?
I wrote stories for fun as a child, but I started writing with the intention to actually publish when I was 29 years old. Then it took another six years to get my first book published.