Ask the Author: Chris Babu
Answered Questions (3)
Chris Babu
Big picture, of course, it's living my dream. It doesn't feel like a job when you're doing what you love anyway. As a writer, you're effectively running your own business, which is cool too. But in a practical sense, the "best" thing is keeping my own schedule. I'm a night-owl and always have been. It made getting up to go to work at 6:30am a problem, especially if I was up late writing. Now, without any restrictions? It's like I've gravitated towards my optimal schedule, which apparently is staying up all night. The ultimate in night-owl-ness. I write all night while it's quiet and my family and dog are asleep--no text msgs, phone calls, etc. I went to bed at 9am yesterday at got up at 4pm. So, yeah... It does make calls/meetings with the rest of society a problem, and I need to take Vitamin D supplements because I never see the sun. Details...
Chris Babu
I rode the NYC subway every day for 15 years, from the Upper West Side to Wall Street. For anyone who suffers through that daily commute, it is hell. Severe overcrowding, daily delays, stopped trains, crazy people, 115 degree platforms in the summer, etc. I loathed that commute, which gave me and many others anxiety.
Switching gears, I was a math major in college, so naturally I enjoy it. My daughter, not so much. One day, while stuck underground on the 2 train in a neverending delay, I was trying to think of cool brainteasers or riddles that would make math seem fun for her. My imagination ran wild. From this, THE INITIATION was born. The meat of my story is a hellish journey through the subway tunnels, featuring puzzles, grueling physical trials, riddles with fatal consequences, and other challenges.
Switching gears, I was a math major in college, so naturally I enjoy it. My daughter, not so much. One day, while stuck underground on the 2 train in a neverending delay, I was trying to think of cool brainteasers or riddles that would make math seem fun for her. My imagination ran wild. From this, THE INITIATION was born. The meat of my story is a hellish journey through the subway tunnels, featuring puzzles, grueling physical trials, riddles with fatal consequences, and other challenges.
Chris Babu
There are so many possible answers here, and I think the common ones would be to read a lot, and write every day. That'd be great advice, too. I'd be interested myself in the answer from a veteran author! But for me, as a relatively new writer who's recently survived the publishing gauntlet, it's to never stop believing in yourself. Every writer feels like a phony or fraud sometimes (or, most of the time), unless you're Stephen King. And between witnessing the success of other authors, and facing all the industry people who make a living out of crushing your self-esteem (agents, editors, etc.), it's real easy to quit. There's so much rejection and failure along the way. So many "experts" tell you it's nearly impossible to write and publish a successful book. Don't listen to them. Their advice is well-intentioned but generic; they don't know you. Regular people are out there every day writing and publishing great books. You must be willing to put in the hard work, to continue learning and improving, but this is a long, slow game. Don't stop believing in yourself. You can do this.
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