R. Michael lives in rural Minnesota and is happily married. He has one son and a border collie foot warmer. He has four books published on Amazon and has works published in “365 Tomorrows,” “Altered Reality Magazine,” and “Ink & Fairydust Magazine.”
Q: How long have you been writing and what got you started?
A: I’ve been writing since I was 12 and started pursuing it as a profession at 24. I’ve always had a creative spirit, but it was Star Wars and Lord of the Rings that made me realize I have a need to tell stories.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
A: Be patient. It takes years to get established. Stephen King and J.K. Rowling are the exceptions not the rule. You must be willing to take criticism, to look at your work with an honest eye and hone your skill every day.
Q: If you could go back and find yourself five years ago, what advice would you give yourself?
A: Don’t start with publishing novels, submit your work to literary journals first. Flash fiction is a great way to hone your skills, and some editors are willing to give valuable feedback.
Q: What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
A: I enjoy fantasy, science fiction, thriller, and soft horror. My favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen King, C.S. Lewis, Bram Stoker, and Markus Heinz to name a few.
Q: How do you measure success when it comes to your writing?
A: If my stories can impact someone or leave a meaningful impression, and if my works can pass through gatekeepers then I see that as successful.
Q: How do you deal with rejections?
A: I confess, the first few rejections were difficult, especially since they surprised me. Anymore I take them as a learning experience. I go back through my rejected manuscripts and look at whether the stories are problematic, lacking polish, or just weren’t submitted to the right journal.
Q: Were you taught anything about creative writing in high school or college that just didn’t work for you?
A: Outlining. I was taught that one needs to start with an outline, then write the story. That has never worked for me. Instead I write outlines after a writing session as places where I reference plot and characters for my longer works.
Q: In your opinion, how important is a writing degree or MFA when it comes to achieving success in writing fiction?
A: They have value no doubt, but they won’t make or break a writer. Success comes from perseverance, talent, and a little bit of luck. Pragmatically one has to also weigh the cost of a degree in writing verses the likely diminished return. Writing doesn’t pay well, and education is expensive. I would recommend writing groups and workshops as a viable alternative.
Q: What are your writing goals for the next five years?
A: I would like to get published in more literary journals and find an agent.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
A: Twitter: @RMichaelAuthor Website: rmichaelbooks.wordpress.com
