Paul Wilson lives in a suburban neighborhood much like the one he turned into a horror playground in his novel Hostage. He lives with his wife, daughter, son, and three cats, one of which actually likes him. He has tried and failed at a spectacular list of jobs including retail district manager, a 911 operator, and the head of a college security department.
How long have you been writing and what got you started?
Answer: I have been writing since high school. I spent a week in in-school suspension (for tardiness—I was more interested in my girlfriend than getting to Algebra) and during that time I read several Stephen King books to pass the time. King’s early accessibility inspired me to write. I remember thinking “I can do this. I want to do this.” Specifically, it was The Gunslinger, Cujo, and The Stand that moved me to try the craft.
What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Answer: Stay at it. Consistency. Just write. Tell yourself a story and don’t worry about anybody else. Above all, write. Produce. When you finish the story you have something tangible, something you can edit and touch. While it is “just an idea” you only have possibility. Possibility is great, but at some point, you must settle down and work. You must produce. Even if you produce complete garbage, at least you produced. Garbage can be cleaned but you must put something down to clean in the first place. Don’t talk about it, do it. And if the story completely fails you have at least practiced. You at least tried. That has its own merit.
If you could go back and find yourself five years ago, what advice would you give yourself?
Answer: Be patient. Have Faith. And watch Rocky movies. Being patient is easy advice to give, hard advice to follow. Rejection is hard. We say all the time that you must have a thick skin in this business and those are great words but at the end of the day it’s just you behind the computer (or phone) reading the millionth form rejection letter. Some days it is damn hard to get back up from being knocked down again. If you are meant to do this, then it will happen. I believe in God. I believe He put me on this path, so my job is to produce and be patient. To have faith. That’s my end of our deal. I make product, He handles the miracles. Rocky movies show you that you can get up no matter how many times you get knocked down. Rocky teaches you how to root for yourself. And remember, Stallone wrote the thing and worked to get it made so Rocky works on two levels for writers.
What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
Answer: Well, horror of course. I believe you must study the genre you intend to write in, both the classic standards and the newly published. That’s not to say you shouldn’t read outside your genre (I recently finished a collection of Jack London’s work and “Love of Life” inspired a new short story about zombies no less) but read your genre heavily. Make a huge lexicon of knowledge to draw from, both so you know what has been done and how it has been done. There is a world of difference between Rice’s vampires and Stoker’s vampires. See what has stood the test of time and what is being done in the field now. For me (and anyone my age writing horror) Stephen King is obviously an influence and favorite, but I count Clive Barker, Bentley Little, Richard Laymon, Robert R. McCammon, and Douglas Clegg in my stable. I also read biographies at least once a month. There is a lot of story and character material in those and you can see the path of people you hope to emulate (or avoid). I am also a firm believer that movies can help just as much with teaching story and especially how to streamline a plot.
How do you measure success when it comes to your writing?
Answer: By the production. If I finish a novel or short story and it is ready to be read without my worry or embarrassment, then I have a product I can attempt to sell. When it is a product I can submit to a magazine, contest, or agent, I have done my job. I write and submit; what happens after that is out of my hands. That’s how I stay focused.
What tips do you have for finding time to write?
Answer: Approach each day differently. While a schedule is a great thing, no day is the same so you can’t approach your writing time the same, either its amount or when you get to do it. The kids may get sick, your spouse may need help, any emergency can come up—if you finish the day having written something at some point then you have succeeded. If you tried (and produced) then you have succeeded. Everyone gets a lunch hour or can manage fifteen minutes before bed.
Are you an outliner or discovery writer? Or somewhere in between?
Answer: Both. I find ideas come in spurts and I have to write everything down for fear of forgetting something. I love to write organically, and I have been surprised by the turn of a story, but I don’t wait. If the muse is asleep, I will turn to plotting. I do not lock myself into a path, but I am always more comfortable knowing where I am going. I have a constant fear of a story “dying” on me, so however I can keep the story moving I will use.
How do you deal with rejections?
Answer: You must be your own best cheerleader. I read them, delete them, and send the next story in line to the same publication. When I was looking for an agent, I mass emailed (I call it shot gunning) dozens at a time. Cast a wide enough net and someone will say yes. You must keep trying. You must keep getting back up. The guy who wins is the guy who doesn’t quit. Stopping is easy, success is hard. I believe you deal best with rejection by ignoring it. If you know this is what you are meant to do then someone out there will know it to. Keep looking for that person (or magazine or agent or publisher). They’re looking for you, too, remember.
What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
To finish my haunted house novel and continue to submit short stories. I have a list of magazines I query as soon as they reject. I want to keep that tradition up.
What book(s) are you reading right now?
Alice in Wonderland, Three Jokers, Stephen King’s On Writing (which every writer should read and take notes in I believe) and the complete works of HP Lovecraft.
