The Interview - Mitchell Waldman

When you're working on a book and a new idea pops up, should you pursue it immediately (also known as 'UP syndrome') or finish your current project first? What do you think is the best course of action?

In writing my first novel, "A Face in the Moon," a project that took years, I would often take a break when an idea came up to follow a new idea and turn it into a short story. This gave me a break from the same old story, so I could return to my novel with a fresh approach (as well as feeling I had something to show/submit as a writer to build up a better writing resume).

Can you explain your writing process? Do you prefer to create an outline and plan beforehand, or do you prefer to write more spontaneously and organically?

Usually I write spontaneously, seeing where the story will take me, although at times I have an end in mind vaguely, but sometimes as I'm writing I, or the characters, surprise me and send the story reeling in a more realistic, organic ending.

Describe the [book/series] in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.

My latest book involves stories about dysfunctional families and much more.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

I don't know if it's unusual, but I have a habit -- from my days of writing over lunch at work -- of writing in ten to fifteen minute blocks, then coming back to the same story and continuing. Sometimes this means revising, revising, revising, while writing, but most often, just drilling my way through, to the end. I find this process gives me time to think about the story in between writing blocks, giving my subconscious a chance to process what seems logical or necessary in the story. I get a lot of insights, for some reason, while I'm trying to wake up, in the shower, or late at night.

What can we anticipate from you moving forward?

I've recently finished a somewhat different story -- a short novel -- which involves the possible reincarnation of a spirit from another planet midlife into the body of a human in the United States. As a “visitor” spirit in the body of a human whose soul has departed, the protagonist believes he is an alien on the planet. He believes that in his prior life he was a member of a society of more greatly evolved beings. Indeed, he has certain abilities beyond those of most humans, such as telepathic communication abilities. This gives him a unique perspective and objective thoughts of the problems and seeming absurdities of life on this world. However, he periodically questions who he really is, or if his viewpoint is the result of an auto accident that occurred before he woke up in the hospital.

Did you always want to be an author? If not, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Yes, I've always wanted to be an author (after baseball or football star, like a lot of young boys, but lacking the talent). I've always been an avid reader and, as a boy, read some pretty bad, but popular books (giving me encouragement!) and some great books (making the task or writer seem a lot more challenging!)