Welcome to week thirty-four of the #WritersQuick5 series - where we learn about writing from fellow writers.
This week it is my pleasure to bring you sci-fi, horror, and psycho fiction author, Joe Prosit. I know Joe from his short stories series, Vulpine One on Channillo. Yay for the channillo network of amazing writers! Joe has also been previously published in Sanitarium, Under the Bed, Freedom Fiction, Dead Gun Press, and on the Dead Oaks Podcast. Joe lives with his wife and kids in the Brainerd Lakes Area of northern Minnesota. If you’re an adept stalker, you can find him on one of the many lakes and rivers or lost deep inside the Great North Woods. Let’s see what Joe has to say... Question #1 - Where do you write and why do you write there? I write everywhere, whenever I can be alone. Deer stands, bars, I've use a dictation app to write during long drives, hotel rooms are great, my ice fishing house... I'm actually writing this right now on my phone from a mechanic garage in Sweden. Of course I have my big desk with dual monitors in my house where I edit and re-write, but I can do first draft stuff anywhere. Question #2 - What is unique about writing for your particular genre? I write both sci-fi and horror, and I think both of those genres play off fear and uncertainties. With sci-fi, the future is scary and uncertain. With horror, often it's the past that is scary and uncertain. But at the end of the day, it's really about the main character's insecurities and fears about themselves that take root and make a good story. Question #3 - What are some of your grammar or punctuation pet peeves? Mostly my own ineptitude regarding grammar. Or when a publisher requests some unique formatting guidelines other than Shunn's industry standard of formatting. Triple spaced with two inch margins in Wingdings? Seriously annoying. Question #4 - At what point in your writing process do you start to bring other people in to review your work? Earlier in my writing journey, I'd crank out a sketchy first draft and wave it around for anybody who'd give me the time of day like I was a 1930's newsboy yelling "Extra extra extra!" Now days I've learned to be a little more patient and give it a good solid second draft before anybody lays eyes on it. You don't want your critiques and beta reads to focus on all the dumb typos and senseless plot holes you could have fixed yourself. Question #5 - What advice would you give to a new writer about the writing process? Enjoy the ride! Don't live in a bubble. Join a writing group, online or in meatspace. Critique others. Have them critique you. Grow a thick skin. Take in all kinds of fiction, especially in your genre, cram them into your mental blender, hit purée and pour out the fictional smoothie into your writing. And have fun! If you're not having fun you're doing it wrong. Thank you Joe for these fantastic answers - submitted from Sweden no less! I agree with you that you that it is so important to have fun. And growing a thick skin is a big part of that. There is a great community of supportive writers out there. Find your clan and have a blast! Be sure to check out his website at JoeProsit.com or follow him on Twitter, @joeprosit. *** If you would like to be featured as a writer in the #WritersQuick5 series, please just reach out and let me know. I’d love to promote your work as well! For updates on #WritersQuick5 and other info from me, please follow me on Twitter or check back with this blog for all the latest.
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