Ask the Author: Mike Shaw
Answered Questions (3)
Mike Shaw
Everything you learn about romance writing, about historical fiction writing, about LGTBQ+ writing, whatever that book is you have inside you, you must first learn and understand the craft. You have to know the ins and outs of structure; some call it grammar, but it’s more than that. And there’s no way around it. You can’t expect an editor to interpret what you’re trying to say. If you have not yet mastered the fundamentals, before you write another story spend your time learning more about writing. Stephen King’s "On Writing" is an enjoyable way to learn more about the craft. He writes it as a memoir, so it’s an interesting read. And he provides direction for people who want to be writers, for those just getting started or for those who want to get better at their craft.
Mike Shaw
It is how I make my living, so I guess the desire to feed my wife and me, and pay for this house we live in, and enjoy our friends are the things that drive me to the computer most mornings. I write for businesses, primarily ghostwriting for professionals, helping them articulate their messages to their clients and fellow professionals in journals, blogs, webistes, and so on. It's a great way to use your writing skills to earn a living.
Mike Shaw
The Musician is the fictional result of my dual career path as a full-time musician into my 40s, then "falling back" on my education and making my living as a writer since then. “To the hundreds of thousands who strum, blow, beat, pluck or sing impressively enough to make a living making music.” I wanted to write about them. Only a tiny fraction of musicians achieve celebrity, and almost all do something in addition to playing music in order to feed themselves, not to mention to afford the luxury of a family. As well, the business itself is no business; there’s no structure, no ladder to climb to get ahead. You just play night to night, gig to gig, finding work and playing where you can in hopes of getting recognized and better opportunities, that is, better venues. The only thing you can control is your music, so you practice constantly to get better, to become more accomplished. As the saying goes, “If you want to play jazz, do nothing but play jazz.” But playing music, especially playing well and with others who play well, is so gratifying that musicians are willing to sacrifice the things in life that most of us seek out and consider necessary and normal. That’s Tom Cliffe, my protagonist, and though Tom’s not famous, I think his story is compelling because of his commitment, his dedication to his craft, and his determination to play the most challenging music well, to get good and be recognized for it.
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