Ask the Author: Kevin Barhydt
Answered Questions (6)
Kevin Barhydt
I write filler. Just whatever waste product is in my head, I let it out without a care. I ramble on, writing even when I know it's poor, or superfluous. I usually will keep those ramblings as a part of the draft. Sometimes I find gems while editing. Usually I trim or cut them to shreds. Never do I regret them, because they always open the path to the next breakthrough.
Kevin Barhydt
Listening to readers reflect their interpretation of my writing. In part, I feel like every discussion or response I receive is like a continuation of my writing. Each reader's reflections add another sentence, an endnote of a kind, which expand my original work.
I know of a stone structure called Opus 40, which was never completed. The creator died after 39 years. Today, a part of the landscape art is an unfinished rock wall. There you will see where visitors have placed their own stones to continue the work of the creator. That I think embodies the best image of how I hope my work will endure, and that I think is the best a writer can hope for.
I know of a stone structure called Opus 40, which was never completed. The creator died after 39 years. Today, a part of the landscape art is an unfinished rock wall. There you will see where visitors have placed their own stones to continue the work of the creator. That I think embodies the best image of how I hope my work will endure, and that I think is the best a writer can hope for.
Kevin Barhydt
Today I answered a questions I'm asked from time to time. I thought I'd share it here:
Q: What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
"I'm not one to share advice, only experience, strength and hope.
As an aspiring writer I thought I had to embody the authors I revered. That I had to write like the child in This Boys Life, express myself without bitterness like the Pulitzer Prize winning Angela's Ashes, and honor my mother in the image The Color of Water.
Instead of embodying those beautiful works of literature, it is my goal to nurture the qualities in myself that I find reflected in the authors who created them. To love my inner child as Tobias Wolfe. To seek generosity of spirt and kindness like Frank McCourt. To embrace the deep passion as a son to honor my mother as does James McBride.
I've made it a primary responsibility to read other authors, primarily to remind myself that I don't need to write like anyone else. I hear a lot of advice to writers to find their own voice. I disagree. I think you already have your own voice. It's the process of stripping away the other voices that crowd out our own singular notes.
Trust yourself. You are already all that you will ever need."
Q: What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
"I'm not one to share advice, only experience, strength and hope.
As an aspiring writer I thought I had to embody the authors I revered. That I had to write like the child in This Boys Life, express myself without bitterness like the Pulitzer Prize winning Angela's Ashes, and honor my mother in the image The Color of Water.
Instead of embodying those beautiful works of literature, it is my goal to nurture the qualities in myself that I find reflected in the authors who created them. To love my inner child as Tobias Wolfe. To seek generosity of spirt and kindness like Frank McCourt. To embrace the deep passion as a son to honor my mother as does James McBride.
I've made it a primary responsibility to read other authors, primarily to remind myself that I don't need to write like anyone else. I hear a lot of advice to writers to find their own voice. I disagree. I think you already have your own voice. It's the process of stripping away the other voices that crowd out our own singular notes.
Trust yourself. You are already all that you will ever need."
Kevin Barhydt
The audio version is nearly ready for publication. My next venture will be to adapt the book into a play, either full length or a one-act that I will perform alone. I'm also considering a screenplay.
Kevin Barhydt
It's funny, but I think I have a hard time not writing! I love to express myself in words, and I find much of my inspiration comes from the exciting conversations I have with others.
Kevin Barhydt
After I completed my search for my biological family it became evident that my story could be of help to others. I started with the idea of writing about abandonment, adoption and searching for family, and eventually realized that was only one half of the story. The idea to weave the two narratives resulted in Dear Stephen Michael's Mother.
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