Interview with Herbert Grosshans [hegro] 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?

Everything I could find in the library in my School. There were not enough books in that small library. I started writing my own stories when I was ten years old. My friends were the first ones to read them.

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, but I’ve tried my hand in other genres. Most of my stories contain erotica. My books can be found on my website http://hegro.shawwebspace.ca/

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

I used to write many of my stories in my mind while working on my regular job. You might say I was daydreaming. At lunchtime, I wrote in my scribbler. At home, I did the first edit when I typed it on my typewriter. It was a slow process. When I got my computer writing became much faster. Now I don’t write in a scribbler anymore and I don’t daydream either. I just sit down and begin writing. I reread the last chapter to get into the mode and then I carry on with the story. If no ideas come, I write a word or a short sentence, which I might or might not use in the story. It helps to get the creative juices flowing. Usually.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

None, actually. I don’t read that much anymore. I would rather write. There is only so much time available. When I do read it is mainly ‘how-to books’. Or when I do research for my story.

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

The basic ingredients of a story are, obviously, a good main plot and a few subplots. The main character needs to be someone the reader can and wants to identify with. The secondary characters should have their own story to tell. They shouldn’t be there only to support the main character. And I like to end a story with a surprise

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

I use and like both. It depends on the kind of story. A story told in the first person seems more personal, more intimate. There is only one problem with first person. If a man tells his story, it may be more difficult for a female reader to identify with the main character.

What well known writers do you admire most?

There is a long list of writers I admire and who influenced my writing: Andre Norton, Leigh Bracket, Philip José Farmer, A. E. van Vogt, Roger Zelazny, Jack L. Chalker, Piers Anthony, Larry Niven, Mickey Spillane…The list goes on. All are dead except one. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any good writers around. I just don’t have time to read their work.

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

To make a character believable he (or she) has to carry emotional baggage, has to have desires that need to be fulfilled, has to be able to laugh or cry, get angry, frustrated, in other words be human. Even non-human characters in fantasy stories need to have human traits. In my novelette ‘Outpost Epsilon’, I have intelligent slugs, but they are shape shifters and can transform into human form. In my follow-up novel ‘Epsilon’, which is one of the stories I am currently working on, I’ve created a race of intelligent spiders, but they still think and act like humans. I can’t get excited about an intelligent worm that shows no emotion.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

Some people tell me I can be entertaining when telling a story, but I am not comfortable in front of a large audience.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

I used to write only for myself. I wanted to improve my knowledge of the English language and I wanted to write about the things I didn’t find in the stories I was reading.
Now I still write for myself but with my readers in mind.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

Yes, writing certainly is a form of therapy. When I create my worlds, they take me away from everyday problems. I can control those worlds (usually, unless my characters want to go a different way). I’m not sure if internal conflicts are a creating force for me. They probably are more of an obstacle.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Sure. As long as it is positive to let me know that I’m on the right track with my writing.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

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

No, I don’t. I need the ideas to be my own.

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

I believe I found my voice, but we are always evolving and learning. Styles of writing change and as writers, we have to adapt.

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

I don’t really have any schedules. I write when I feel like it, which is most of the time. When I’m not busy with other chores, I write. When I start a story, my goal is to finish it. When I finish it depends on the time available to me.

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

I can write anywhere but prefer to write in my office where I’m surrounded by my books and pictures on the wall. Listening to music helps. I have a large aquarium built into one wall, and watching the fish is a good catalyst to connect me with the writing muse.

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

Yes, I write on a computer, and I use my printer frequently. I used to correct on paper, but lately I’ve started correcting and editing on the computer.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

I write about my books in my blog http://hegro.blogspot.com/ Also, I belong to a few groups where we talk about our craft.

What has been your experience with publishers?

Until you get a response can be wearisome with some publishers. I’ve been lucky that way. My publisher MSFiction usually responds immediately to my submissions, but then it still takes a long time until the book is finally published.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I am working on three Science Fiction novels. ‘Epsilon’, which I mentioned before. So far, I’ve written around 60,000 words. The other novel is Book four in my ‘Xandra series’. I’m at 19,000 words. My third novel is entitled ‘The Mindgod’, of which I’ve written 7,500 word so far onto my computer, but the bulk of the novel is still in a scribbler. I wrote the story many years ago. I never finished it but now I will.
I’ve also started five more novels. Just a few pages and some ideas. However, they will have to wait until I’ve finished the three I’m working on.
A couple of years ago I wrote an 180,000-word thriller ‘Tarnished Valor’. The background is the war in Iraq. I am waiting for a response from an agent I sent an inquiry to some time ago, but so far, I haven’t heard from him. The waiting time is the most frustrating experience.

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?

Take them out and read them again. If nothing else, they might inspire you with new ideas. If not then put them back but don’t throw them out. They are part of your life.

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