In Part One of our interview, Jonathan Maberry provided a book list of must-reads for horror readers that would choke Cerberus, showed us what hard work is all about, and made us realize just how important horror fiction really is. In Part Two, he discusses the mechanics of writing, and provides nuggets of gold for those aspiring writers that will turn his recommendations into actions. He also includes a must-read list of authors any horror fan would appreciate.
"Hey, these Dunkaccinos are good," Maberry said, sipping his second cup. Glenor Glenda, the maid, was kind enough to make a sustenance run for us. "You could raise the heat, too, you know. I'm freezing my ass off." He pulled the towel tight around his waist as I turned up the thermostat. "Now where were we?"
What's your formula for writing? Tana leaves tea sipped by moonlight, devil's pact? How do you put pen to paper?
I do this for a living, so I don’t have to worry about the grind of the commute (been there, done that). I usually roll out of bed around 7-ish in the morning and by 7:30 I’m at the computer.
I always work with a minimum daily word count — typically 2,000 words. Once I nail that I generally shift to other work — administrative, editing clients’ work, research for my next book, or I go and meet with writers for whom I do career counseling.
I don’t take days off from writing. Ever. I may have days where by necessity I write a little less, but I always catch up by the end of the week. As a result I can usually do a book, from first word to final draft, in about four months. That’s the journalist in me: set a schedule and a deadline, and git ‘er done.
In my writing process I don’t go through any rituals. I could write anywhere, anytime. I’m not temperamental and I don’t let myself get distracted. Mind you, I prefer a moderately quiet workspace — my office at home with some blues on the CD player, or at my office at the Writers Corner, listening to classic rock, jazz, or classical. Music is great for my process, but I can write without it. All I really need is a keyboard and I’m good to go.
As a writing teacher, what can you tell future writers to help them find their inner voice, or, at least, use fairly good grammar?
Yep, there are some basic things all emerging writers should consider:
First, write every day.
Every single calendar day. No excuses, no procrastination. If you write every day you get better everyday.
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