Interview with Glen Davis [glen] on Whohub

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What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

The first book that I remember reading all by myself was Green Eggs and Ham. I guess I was about five; around the first grade. The first book that I wrote was, ironically, self-published. I was about ten and wrote a gripping science-fiction with a hero with a jutting jaw and torn shirt who saved the earth from a horde of angry aliens with only his blaster and a matchstick. Or something like that. I don't remember the title, but I had a friend illustrate it, I wrapped it in an orange cover and donated it to the school librarian. She tucked it under the counter and I never saw it again. What a tough review. I wrote throughout junior high and high school and my Mom read them and seemed to enjoy them. Editors didn't, though. It reminds me of the Issac Asmiov editorial he did in the magazine that bears his name. He recommended, basically, not letting anyone read your material except editors. Your family and friends are going to be encouraging, but they don't write checks to you. The editor does.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

My favorite genre is science fiction and fantasy. Lately, though, I've been concentrating on non-fiction. I like humorous stories and wrote an X-Files based in the "old west." My work is featured at my web site at http://glencdavis.com.

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

That's a hard question. I probably should develop some sort of process. What I start doing with a new story is start writing an outline. I almost never finish it. It does help me get the flow of the story and I just start writing. Sometimes I'm surprised in the direction the story goes. But if I find myself stuck, I jump back to the outline and try to get the story flowing again.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

I get a lot of inspiration from the Bible. Even if you just read the stories as literature and ignore the religious aspects, there are some fascinating plots. I was amazed at how many sayings we have that are out of this book. Sometimes newspaper articles give me inspiration. For example, I read one news piece that said even if we took all measures necessary to stop global warming, it would take a thousand years to reverse it. So I wrote a comical piece about a team of reporters covering the end of global warming. Suddenly, they find themselves in an ice age. The snooty New York publishers didn't see the humor in it. I guess only Harlan Ellison can get away with stories like that.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

Character and plot, obviously. You need to have good characters. Generally, my first drafts have generic characters so that I can get the plot down. That is to say, the story. Sometimes I know they have a beard, but I don't realize that they got that scar on their right cheek in a bar fight four-years ago until I start filling in the details on the second draft. I try to make you feel the characters plight. If he's stuck in thumbscrews, your thumbs should tingle.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

That depends on the story. Whichever voice is the most convincing for the plot.

What well known writers do you admire most?

My favorite author of all-time was Arthur C. Clarke, for fiction. "Childhood's End" was my favorite. I loved reading Issac Asimov's editorials and humorous stories. Oh, and I also remember Robert Heinlein. My brother gave me a copy of "The Green Hills of Earth" to read and I was fascinated with him. Especially the juvenile fiction. "Starship Troopers," of course---way before the movies. "Farmer in the Sky" really fascinated me. The funniest coincidence was when I picked up a copy of "Who Censored Roger Rabbit." I cannot recall the author, but I found it laying around when I was stationed overseas. I thought, "Man, this would make a cool movie." I guess Stephen Spielberg and I think alike. You won't hear him admitting it, though.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

If I have a tear in my eye when a character is crying, that character is believable. If I have to get a dose of Malanta when the character has heartburn, he's believable. I try to get some idea of the look of the character when I start. I do write character profiles and update them as the story progresses.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

Depends. Scary stories around the campfire-that sort of thing? I used to be good at those. I haven't done much of that since they invented paper. I'm joking, of course, but you know it seems that paper edged out that campfire voice. That oral tradition. Of course, the Internet has done some damage to the paper tradition and people want cool videos now. Mark Twain was quoted as saying, "Those who won't read have no advantage over those who can't read." I don't put a lot of stock in what people say if the start or end the sentence with ".com".

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

Whoever pays me the money.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Yes. I have no problem with readers telling me how great my work is. No one else need apply.

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

Yes, but that goes back to the Issac Asimov editorial that I referred to. I have found that I don't get good feedback from that method. They do, however, give me an idea if the story or non-fiction work is going in the right direction.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

If you get stuck in one voice, or one formula for writing, you become boring. Not to mention bored. For fiction, I mean. Non-fiction, there is only one voice and it should be truth. No matter what manner you choose to present it. I try to keep my mind open to different possibilities as long as they don't offend my sensibilities.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

I wish I could impose a rigid schedule, of some sort. Real life, however, always seems to creep in.

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

For me, this is a really good question. I do write on a computer, but I cannot read on a computer. I have to print when I get about fifty pages, or so, done. That helps because when I cannot write, I can go through the hard copy and start making corrections and getting more story ideas.

What has been your experience with publishers?

I'm self-publishing. That should say something. Actually, I do not have a problem with publishers, but agents. Finding one.

What are you working on now?

I have been working on a story idea by a friend of mine. It's basically about a vase that has been passed down through a couple of generations of one family. The family is dysfunctional, but they come together in the end trying to find the vase which was lost when their grandmother died.

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

Put them all on your computer, if you do not have them in already. Scan them in, type them in, whatever. Put them in your favorite word processor and format them. If they are short stories, I mean. Format them, put them in a good, readable font, put a table of contents, write a title page, put a neat header or photos, if you want, add page numbers and put upload it to LULU or Cafe Press. Those are the two sites that I am pretty sure do not have a set-up fee. Then order a couple of copies and give them away. Or sell them. You never know. Marketing is the difficult part on a budget.

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