Ask the Author: Joshua Michail
Answered Questions (5)
Joshua Michail
For many years, even before I began writing "To Make a Better World" in 2008, I had been philosophically inclined. I had contemplated society, which is easy to do when your jobs have been in social environments, such as security at bars, for instance. Being an atheist, I noticed how religions give people a worldview, and framework for how the religious think and act and see the world. I felt that when we reject religion, and rightfully so, we unfortunately do lose certain things, and I decided I wanted to figure out and to offer a secular substitute, without dogma and authoritarian control. This lead me to divide my work into two books, one anyone can use, and the other -- I'm currently writing -- offers a secular worldview.
Joshua Michail
What inspires me to write varies, depending on many things. But, overall, it's a combination of the drive to write that I feel is inherent in me, and having my mind stimulated. When the thoughts are sparked and they start developing it's as if they want to come out and land on the keyboard.
Joshua Michail
I've already published my first book, which is a handbook for secular life. There are two more books, which I'm currently working on. One is a philosophical work, and the other is a fictional semi-autobiographical novel. The philosophical book is separate from the handbook for secular life, but it is also meant to compliment it.
Joshua Michail
The best thing about being a writer can differ over time, depending on many things. But, I'd say, for the most part, it's probably the ability to get an idea out there for others, and getting feedback from readers.
Joshua Michail
Generally speaking, I don't think I suffer writer's block often. I've experienced it, though. What I do, mostly, is to quickly write down the ideas that come to me. Then, I work them out a little, flesh them out. Later, I come back and add, revise, edit and weave it together with other ideas. Otherwise, I find other things to do with my time.
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