Ask the Author: Ruadhán J. McElroy
Answered Questions (4)
Ruadhán J. McElroy
Much like Lois in the pageant episode of MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, I have a problem with this question.
I don't exactly "get to" make my own hours, I *have to*. Because this trade has been so devalued over the last fifty years, people expect me to just give my work away, and balk at the price of either a paperback or eBook edition. My cats, social obligations, and all the other work I do seem to all be conspiring against my best efforts to finish a new book every other year. My primary income is Social Security Disability and Survivor's benefits, which pays out a lot less than most people seem to believe, but without it, I'd be on the streets -- but even with, I'm grateful for the few copies of either novel that I sell each year, or I'd be so much worse off.
Being a writer, or any kind of artist, is like an overcooked steak -- it's a small, tough, and the chips are always stacked against you.
The only consolation is knowing that I'm letting these stories out, because the spirits within these characters want me to tell their stories. If I make a little money, and entertain a few readers in the process, that's even better, because it shows that someone is appreciating all the hard work I've put into this.
I don't exactly "get to" make my own hours, I *have to*. Because this trade has been so devalued over the last fifty years, people expect me to just give my work away, and balk at the price of either a paperback or eBook edition. My cats, social obligations, and all the other work I do seem to all be conspiring against my best efforts to finish a new book every other year. My primary income is Social Security Disability and Survivor's benefits, which pays out a lot less than most people seem to believe, but without it, I'd be on the streets -- but even with, I'm grateful for the few copies of either novel that I sell each year, or I'd be so much worse off.
Being a writer, or any kind of artist, is like an overcooked steak -- it's a small, tough, and the chips are always stacked against you.
The only consolation is knowing that I'm letting these stories out, because the spirits within these characters want me to tell their stories. If I make a little money, and entertain a few readers in the process, that's even better, because it shows that someone is appreciating all the hard work I've put into this.
Ruadhán J. McElroy
Just write. Write about things you know -- whether that's real life, or speciality genres you've been reading since you were five. Accept that not everything you write will be groundbreaking, great, or even good -- accept constructive critiques from readers of all sorts, but work on it in whatever way works for you.
It's not a race. NaNoWriMo is a cute idea, but let's be frank, compared to the large number of people who start it, almost no-one completes it (not even those who give themselves extra time), and it's even rarer that it's "good enough" to even consider publishing without heavy re-working over the next three to six months or more. If you want to take that as a fire to light under your arse to actually start writing, be my guest, but don't beat yourself up if you don't finish by 30 November -- just finish it.
It's not a race. NaNoWriMo is a cute idea, but let's be frank, compared to the large number of people who start it, almost no-one completes it (not even those who give themselves extra time), and it's even rarer that it's "good enough" to even consider publishing without heavy re-working over the next three to six months or more. If you want to take that as a fire to light under your arse to actually start writing, be my guest, but don't beat yourself up if you don't finish by 30 November -- just finish it.
Ruadhán J. McElroy
Books Two and Three of The Mod Stories.
Also working on an album of covers of folk and early jazz standards, and another of covers I've arranged for harmonium.
Also working on an album of covers of folk and early jazz standards, and another of covers I've arranged for harmonium.
Ruadhán J. McElroy
A lot of places -- in and out of the Mod subculture since 2005, in and out of the gothic subculture since 1995; performing musician since 1985.
Some characters are loosely based composites of certain celebrities, friends, or people I've just had conversations with.
Some characters are loosely based composites of certain celebrities, friends, or people I've just had conversations with.
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