10 Questions with Michael W. Clark
Michael W. Clark is a biologist and writer with twenty three short stories published. Most recent stories have been in Lost Souls, Surprising Stories, Trembles, 69 Flavors of Paranoia, Morpheus Tales, and Imaginarum out of U.C, Berkeley, Dark Edifice, Death Throes, Black Heart, Shamus Sampler II and an upcoming anthologies called, Fat Zombies and Creature Stew.
How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I have been writing fiction and poetry since I was in high school, but the last 15 years I have put more focus on it.
What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Write! Write! Write! Write what you would like to read. There is an audience out there.
Are there any writing resources, such as books or websites, you’d like to recommend?
They change so often, I have lost track. I liked Writer’s Dreaming, ed. Naomi Epel. 1993. Twenty six different writers discuss the way they do it.
What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
I like fiction that has well thought out characters. It is their development or not, I look for. As for authors, non one new, unfortunately. D.M. Thomas. Anthony Burgress, Joe Haldane, John Fowles.
What tips do you have for finding time to write?
I get up early and write when I am fresh.
Do you prefer to outline a story in advance or write on the fly? Why?
I have no set way of writing. Sometimes I start with a Title and write a story to fit it. Other times I will plan the entire thing. This way my fiction is varied. I don’t get stuck writing the same thing over and over.
How do you deal with rejections?
The only thing you can do with rejection is keep moving. Even the best written story will be disliked by someone. Criticism is good but don’t take it personally. W. H. Auden said he never finished a poem. There was always a way it could be revised. I agree. Still, I won’t revise a story again and again. If I didn’t make my point, I’ll write another story. Just keep writing. Reading the story out loud will had reveal any rough parts. Just keep at it.
What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
I am finishing a novel I started back in 2005. I feel I am ready to complete it.
For the next five years?
I do want to get one of my novels published.
Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
I have my own fiction and non-fiction site called A. Hicks Hope. I publish my own writing there. the URL is. www.ahickshope.com.
