Interview with Joseph G. Langen [jlangen] 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 I read which made an impression on me was Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man when I was going through the same growing pains as the protagonist. It made me feel I was not alone in finding myself. Quite a relief! I was ordered to write stories and poetry in high school. The first voluntary writing of mine was short stories on themes which were prompted by incidents in my daily life. My coworkers and friends were the first to read my writing and provided inspiration to keep writing.

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?

I have samples of my writing at www.commonsense-wisdom.com. Chapters of my published books, one book in press and newspaper columns await the reader. I also maintain a blog, Conversations With Calliope, a dialogue with my muse about my daily writing life and challenges at www.commonsense-wisdom.blogsppot.com,

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

I start by wondering about what I refer to as life mysteries, things I don't understand and can't find anything satisfactory written about them. I think about the issues for a while and search for related writings, usually in vain. I tend to be fascinated by questions no one seems to have bothered trying to answer such as why abusive priests are abusive. I addressed this in my novel, The Pastor's Inferno.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

Great fiction inspires me. I am attracted to writing which gives me a good sense of what it is like to be a character in a story facing real challenges.

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

To me the basic ingredients are a question worth exploring, characters which fascinate and challenge the reader, a quest for the protagonist, obstacles seemingly impossible to overcome and ingenuity to discover a workable approach. I also like to see a satisfactory resolution of the quest.

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

I like first person if it is done well. I am working on a novel at present which rotates first person accounts, called Marital Property. I got the idea from The Poisonwood Bible.

What well known writers do you admire most?

My favorites are John Updike, Lee Child, John Irving, J.K. Rowling, Edgar Allen Poe and Mark Twain.

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

Characters must start out consistent in their thinking, emotions and behavior at least at the beginning so we can have a sense of how they deal with life. Circumstances might well change the character in one or all three of these areas. Seeing a character acting in keeping with his or her preferred style of thinking and feeling makes him or her more believable to me. I usually create characters from a combination of real people I have know in circumstances found in my stories and projection of how I might act given the circumstances. I sometimes think about what kind of person might be likely to encounter the story circumstances and incorporate characteristics from others I have known.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

No. I do much better writing stories when I have time to think about the details and edit roughly drawn verbal sketches. I failed the oral exam for my psychology license but my written appeal resulted in my receiving a license. Then I knew I could write better than talk.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

I write first for myself to explore themes about which I wonder. I also write for others whom I feel might benefit from having their beliefs challenged or who need a different way to look at life.

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

Sometimes they are. I wrote a memoir, Young Man of the Cloth, about my nine years in the seminary and monastery, a time which did not end well but led me the wonders I new experience in my life. Writing about it helped me put these years into better perspective and led me to further explore creative writing as an outlet.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Yes. I don't always know what will make sense to readers. My girlfriend in particular is very good at telling me when I am not being clear. Positive feedback helps me know I am moving in the right direction while negative feedback helps me know when I have wandered off the path.

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

I participated in one competition, a 24 hour short story challenge. I don't think I can write a very good story that fast. I need more time for reflection and editing.

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

My girlfriend Carol and best friend Gerry usually review my drafts and provide invaluable help in keeping me focused and writing clearly. Neither is afraid to be honest.

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

To some extent I think I have found my voice although I see it as something I can always refine and hone. In that sense, it's an ongoing process. If I ever reach perfection, I'll have to stop writing. What would be the point of continuing?

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

I try to work on my writing at least five days a week a few hours in the morning and a few in the afternoon. Sometimes I set time goals although I am always flexible with them. I find it is unproductive to rush myself.

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

My favorite environment is music. I like Mozart piano concertos for writing, and Nora Jones ballads for editing.

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

I usually write on the computer although I wrote one book entirely in longhand sitting on the front porch. I don't print copy until I have finished the piece- article, story or book. I read the piece from the out loud, making corrections as I go along. Then I print the piece and correct on paper. Then I get my readers busy.

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

I frequent Absolute Write, Author's Den, Book Marketing Network, Critique Circle, Writer's Cafe and Writer's Digest Forums.

What has been your experience with publishers?

I have had trouble getting past the agent hurdle. I discussed one book with a senior editor although it is not yet ready to be considered for publication. For the most part I have self published. I have a very accepting newspaper editor for my column.

What are you working on now?

Currently I am finalizing Conversations with Calliope: A Year with My Muse. It chronicles regular discussions with my muse about the frustrations and joys of the writing life as well as influences on my writing.

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?

I think you should decide why you have never showed them to anyone. If they embarrass you, consider burning them. If you don't know what to make of them, ask a friend for an opinion. If you are still chicken, show the work to someone you trust without saying you are the author. I once sat with a friend while he fed his manuscript of a biography of Andy Warhol to the flames. He reached this point when Warhol preempted him with his autobiography.

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