Short Stories Blog Tour

I’m pleased to have Michael K. Rose on the Akamai Reader today. He agreed to do an interview for his Short Stories Blog Tour, which is available now.

1. Was there a catalyst or single event that led you to your writing career?

I can’t say that there was. I’ve always enjoyed writing and it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do. But about two and a half years ago, I decided to get serious about it, began working on some novels and submitting short stories to the science fiction magazines.

2. If you had a chance to sit down with your favorite author, who would it be? What would you say?

If a poet counts, I would choose Walt Whitman. He’s the historical person I would most like to meet. His overall outlook on life is something I have tried to model. I have no idea what I’d say. I’d rather just sit and listen to him talk.

3. Did you always know you would write Sci-Fi?

Yes and no. It’s always been something I’ve liked writing but I never made a consciousdecision that I was going to be a science fiction writer. And I have an interest in writing in other genres as well. I suppose, however, that because it is what I have written and released first, I will be considered primarily a science fiction author, which I do not mind at all.

4. What are the challenges of writing short stories versus full-length novels?

Short stories are actually easier for me. I write with a great deal of brevity and 3,000 to 5,000 words feels like a natural length for me in which to tell a story. My new release, Short Stories, is a testament to this. But writing longer works is forcing me to learn new skills as a writer to keep the reader’s interest while also expanding my story-telling to cover much more than I would in a short story.

5. Who would you say majorly influenced your work?

In science fiction, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov, without a doubt. Overall, I would also include Henry James, Arthur Conan Doyle, HP Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard and Stephen King. However, I don’t think all of those influences haven’t been revealed in my writing just yet.

6. What would you say are the major advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?

Advantage: complete artistic control. Disadvantage: complete artistic control. What I mean by this is that there is no one to decide for you that the decision you’ve made is right or wrong. Friends and readers can give you advice, but it is ultimately up to you. There is no editor or publisher to see when you’ve become enamored with an idea that may not necessarily be a good idea. On the flip side, you have the ability to bring your vision to fruition in exactly the way you want. This is highly fulfilling from a creative standpoint.

7. What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Before you even think about publishing, get established on Facebook, Twitter, start writing a blog. If you interact with other authors and readers in your genre for a few months first, they will be much more receptive to you if they already have an idea of who you are. Get them reading your blog, write interesting articles and occasionally mention the book you’re working on. Read and review the work of writers in your genre. Interview them on your blog. Make the connections, and by the time you’re ready to release, you will have a built-in audience and group of people willing to help you out.

Thanks for the interview, Michael!

Contact Michael:

BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – WEBSITE 

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