Exclusive Interview with
John Fahey
When did you start writing?
I've been writing most of my life but only decided to publish a memoir until 2015, when I was 72.
What makes writing your passion?
An urge to share my thoughts.
How long have you been writing?
Scientific articles for many decades, my web domain erinpharm.org since 2000 but memoirs only for five years.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Happiness.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Believe in yourself and your own self.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
There are better times ahead. Be resolute.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I do and I smile at the bad ones because they are few.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Humbled.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Since my published books, Survival and Arrival, are memoirs this is about my real life, events, thoughts, and memories.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I've been contacted by some readers and like responding to them.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I like people to appreciate my writing.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I'd say you must be a sad person.
What would you say to your readers?
Stand up, look up, look out, see the wonder.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I'm retired, living in a rural part of Tennessee.
What is your day job if you have one?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I like gardening and reading science fiction.
Did you have a happy childhood?
You would have to read Survival to make your own decision on that. I like having brothers and sisters and knowing we all survived.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I always wanted to write.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have two unpublished novels written twenty five years ago that need editing. Currently I'm writing a science fiction book that I will publish.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
What is your favorite music?
Irish music.
Share a secret with us 🙂
I never thought people would like my writing as they have.