Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Paul Clayton Interview



1: What is the most productive time of the day for you to write?

Probably about eight in the morning, when I’ve had my coffee, and I’m at work.  Unfortunately I have to do their work then.  And so I might write something during lunch.  I also write a lot over the  weekends.

2: Do you start your projects writing with paper and pen or is it all on the computer?

Back in the day I did that.  Now, I just don’t want to have to type out what I’ve already written.  So I go straight to the keyboard.  These old arthritic fingers can still ‘do the walkin’.

3: What do you draw inspiration from?

Some success stories.  The latest that has inspired me is Ken Follett.  When his new book, Pillars of The Earth did poorly in England, he wondered if perhaps he was losing it.  But, wonder of wonders, the book took off in Germany and became a bestseller there.  Then his English publisher re-issued the book and really promoted it.  The rest is, as they say…

4: Do you set goals for yourself when you sit down to write such as word count?

Not word count.  But rather project.  In one evening it might be keying in all the redlines I’ve made to a particular piece, or maybe writing a post for the web.  I’m always working on something.  I don’t have a live in girlfriend or wife presently, so this is not a problem.  When I do, my output will slow down, but other things will pick up…

5: Are you a published or a self published author and how do you come up with your cover art?

I’m both.  I have published commercially, four novels.  And I am an Indy writer, plugging my new book, White Seed: The Untold Story of The Lost Colony of Roanoke, here and everywhere!!!

6: What drives you to choose the career of being a writer?

I have a career, as a tech writer.  It’s paid the rent, the mortgage, and helped me raise two kids and get by over the years.  Writing novels…  This doesn’t pay much at all.  If I had to live on what I’ make from writing novels I’d be pushing a shopping cart full of my belongings and sleeping under the overpass.  Actually, I’d have more time to write if I did that…  Hmmm.

7: Do you own an ebook reading device?

Can’t afford one now.  But I want to buy one.  I would only buy a ‘dedicated’ reader, like the Kindle, Nook, or what ever else is out there.  I think the iPad is for gadget heads.  Being able to multi-task while you read is a bunch of baloney.  If you’re sending and receiving emails, surfing porn, and playing pacman, you can’t be reading.  End of story.

8: Who are some of your favorite authors and What are you reading now?

I’m currently reading The Irish Princes.  It’s alright.  I like the Great American authors, like Hemmingway, Faulkner, Cheever.  But I guess I have to bring myself up to the 21st century.  I will admit that it’s hard to give myself over to modern literary (and successful) writers who are young enough to be my children.  What could they possibly know of life or have to say?  But, that may change.  Maybe somebody can suggest someone to me.

9: What do you think of book trailers and do you have any plans to have any?

Book trailers?  Hell, I want a car trailer.  Maybe an Airstream.  I’m hoping to make enough money writing my books so I’ll be able to buy a real trailer, then hit the road.  I’ll do the Southwest first, then, in the fall, maybe New England, see the leaves turn.  And this trailer will have all the latest comforts, and be internet capable, so I can stay in touch.  Alright, book trailers, yeah.  I could use one for my latest: White Seed: The Untold Story of The Lost Colony of Roanoke.  I already have it scoped out.  I know how to do it.  I just need some actors, a sound man, and a budget!!!  But, it’s on my list.

10: What are you working on now that you can talk about?

Posting, blogging, been doing a lot of that lately.  I just finished a book that is very autobiographical, and I may have to publish it (or self-publish it; damn you Big Publishing!) under a nom de plume, so as to protect the innocent, and make sure they don’t beat my ass for what’s in there.

1 comment:

  1. Wow - White Seed is one of the best books I have read in a long long time!

    ReplyDelete