The Interview - Allan Batchelder

I can't remember not writing. As soon as I learned the alphabet, I began creating stories. But it was my mother's death a decade ago (my father died when I was 17) that really convinced me that the clock was -- is -- ticking, and if I intended to publish a novel, I'd better get cracking. I only regret that mom never got to read my stuff.

In the beginning, I self-published on Amazon. My book drew the attention of a small start-up company, and I signed with them. After a year, they had done nothing with my book, so I got out of that contract and returned to self-publishing. Then, a fellow and more successful author introduced me to his publisher, and I've been with Crossroad Press ever since. 

I jot down a brief summary, but I try to stay focused on what I'm currently working on. In fact, I have a whole folder of potential novels that will keep me busy 'til the day I kick the bucket!

Different characters speak to different parts of myself. If I'm feeling angry or belligerent, certain characters "fit" better; if I'm feeling wistful or melancholy, others do. If I had to choose a favorite -- you know, forced at gunpoint -- I'd probably choose Tarmun Vykers, because he was my firstborn, so to speak. 

I try to envision the beginning and the end, at least, and a few highlights along the way. These, I PLOT. The rest, I PANTS and refine in rewrites and editing. 

I'm going to recommend some lesser-known folks, here:

C.T. Phipps
Bob Herold

Ulff Lehmann

Luke Hindmarsh

Keith McCardle

Dyrk Ashton

Ben Galley

Molly Ringle

I enjoy the absolute freedom of expression, along with the sharing of my visions. It hearkens back to those childhood days around the campfire when we could tell whatever story we liked. The sharing is everything. 

The hardest thing in any genre, for me, is simply finding the time to do it right. Working a full-time job and being a husband and father does not leave a lot of wiggle room for writing and research. 

Absolutely. Shakespeare or references to his work appear in all my books; the same is true of the acting profession. 

In my five-book grimdark fantasy series, I think I gave my protagonist, Tarmun Vykers, some qualities I WISH I had, yes. But he's also got some attributes I am glad I do not. In my acting career, I've been fortunate to portray to a broad range of characters, so I try to portray an equally broad range in my writing. I suppose we are all capable of nearly anything, under the right circumstances. 

I guess, on some level, any novel is the author's attempt to be known. In sharing my stories, I am sharing parts of myself. 

Since I don't know what constitutes "usual," that's a tough one to answer. I can tell you that I DON'T write in the nude, slathered with bacon fat, wearing a bird's nest full of starving stoats on my head. I also don't write underwater, disguised in a gorilla costume, or sitting upon a bed of nails. 

I've been a professional (union) actor and a stand-up comedian. And a middle school teacher for decades. Critiques or even nasty reviews don't really phase me much anymore (of course, someone will now rush to challenge that assertion and thereby humiliate me...). Being compared to a major-league author or called original or unique are things, I suspect, that delight most writers. 

There is no wasted writing. Everything you put to paper is a trial run for the stuff you DO deem worthy of publication or sharing. So, write. Poems, love letters, short stories, screenplays, plays, riddles, jokes -- it all helps you improve. And I have used bits and pieces of stuff I wrote decades ago for other audiences and purposes and tucked it into my current works. 

This is impossible to answer without spoiling! I mean, I'd love to, but my first, second and third options simply give too much away, and I'm a big fan of surprises!

They absolutely exist. The problem is, people don't seem attracted to them in real life. 

I just follow my pencil...or let my fingers wander the keyboard. The words, the thoughts and feelings, are all out there in front of us. 

To pay the bills? I teach middle schoolers, full-time. It is not what I dreamed of doing with my life, but if I can help kids achieve their own dreams, I'll consider it a deal well-made.

Certainly. I am always checking and double-checking facts, historical context, etc. And even though I have been studying Shakespeare for 50 years, I still had to verify my facts for my Shakespeare-based novel. 

I do. Complete say, which is nice. I understand at the big publishers, authors don't have much say, and it's produced some peculiar results, to say the least.

I just put down Cows, which is shockingly disturbing beyond belief. I did not finish. I'm not sure how or when I will. But I also don't like to DNF books. Next, I'll be reading the Lords of Dragon Keep by C.T. Phipps.

I have a long list of projects across multiple genres. But I can't really let loose until I have retired from teaching. I don't want to alarm my students or their parents!

Don't I wish! As an actor and sometime playwright/screenwriter, I believe my stories are naturally suited to adaptation for the screen. 

I wanted to be a professional actor and was for many years. In fact, I'm hoping to get back to it before I shuffle off this mortal coil.

I've been averaging about two years per book lately. I'd like to get that down to one at most. 

I mostly write at my desk, where I'm able to stare out the window as I consider my words. 

Back in my screenwriting days, I listened to music, yes. For novels, though, I'm too easily distracted. Dialogue comes easily to me (as a lifelong actor), but I really need to concentrate on narrative. 

Sleeping. 

But I also enjoy walks in nature, cooking, reading, playing computer games.

A couple of friends from childhood lost their sons prematurely, and I included versions of them in my work as memorials. Another time, at a charity auction, I auctioned off an appearance in one of my novels. I have also included versions of loyal supporters as a thank you. None of this is too difficult. Stories need characters!

I don't see how an author CAN'T have a personal connection to the story or characters. Everything we write is, in some sense, drawn from our experiences or aspirations. For instance, in This Thing of Darkness, I write a lot about Shakespeare growing old -- as I am. Every moment brings a new revelation. And so, writing about it allows me to commune with others having the same experience, even those long dead.