Ask the Author: Steven Kerry
Answered Questions (11)
Steven Kerry
I am just getting back to Goodreads following a personal crisis. I can relate to your question but don't feel I have the answer you are seeking. I suggest the Goodreads librarian staff; they are usually helpful.
Steven Kerry
I awoke in a dark cylindrical metal chamber, able to breathe but for how long? Then I realized it was sealed off as tightly as a drum with no exit.
Steven Kerry
I suppose I might want to go the world of Fire Island in the 1970's as depicted in Andrew Holleran's "Dancer From the Dance". (I also read Larry Kramer's book about the same time and place. I adore Mr. Kramer but do not share his sour critique of the behavior of gay men at that time. I believe the chronology and context of that behavior is aptly explained by the oppression and brutal reality of being a gay man preceding the spirit of liberation that evolved in the '70s.
Steven Kerry
The Brothers Karamazov- by Fyodor Dostoyevsky; The Glass Harp- Truman Capote; and, if very ambitious and patient, Proust's In Remembrance; also, a new book by John Rechy
Steven Kerry
Maurice and the grounds keeper from "Maurice". Because they were one of the only gay male couples who actually had a happy ending. Most in that era and even during the early era of gay liberation ended tragically with one or both of the lovers being classic victims of murder, suicide, or some other tragedy. This book also also has the single most romantic scene of any "gay" book ever written, and it did not rely upon graphic sexual descriptions or romantic overkill.
Steven Kerry
feeling like you nailed the emotional truth of a character or scene without having to re-write it more than two or three times.
Steven Kerry
I have not experienced this so far. I sit; I write; and I trust the story or book's arc to take me where I need to go next. There is a certain trust in one's imagination and creativity. Some writers have romanticized notions that the writing process must be "tortured". On the contrary, I believe writing should be a joy. There are those who think smoking herbs will jump start their creativity; it would only send me to the refrigerator or pantry. Others assume that imbibing alcohol will get the pen flowing, but to me it is not numbing the feelings that enhances the writing process, but feeling them as deeply and truly as possible; it is vulnerability and nakedness that makes for the best writing, not being enshrouded in a fog of chemicals, (but to each his own).
Steven Kerry
Read the classics of literature; if a book has endured for years and years there is a reason why. I mix in some contemporary work as well, but I want to learn whatever I can from writing that has stood the test of time. I avoided the classics until about 15 years ago at which point I looked at it as a challenge to begin reading them; I have now read a good share of the classics and have enjoyed almost all of them. Also, if you are writing a book make sure you feel a sense of excitement and passion in writing it; writing should not be drudgery, it should be a creative joy.
Steven Kerry
I am currently writing a very romantic short novel with a twist that might aptly be described as both funny and a little sad. I had to start the "ignition" three times to get the car in motion but it's pretty smooth sailing now.
Steven Kerry
I play movie soundtrack music and write when I am feeling ready to give my whole attention to writing. It is, after all, a somewhat trippy process. I wrote my first novel while listening to James Horner's "A Beautiful Mind" soundtrack. I found nearly every emotion in that music that I needed to tap into for my own story; it was on repeat for the whole 2-3 years it took me to write the book. Interestingly, I wrote a second novel soon afterward and discovered another Horner soundtrack that provided perfect background music to writing that book as well. I also listen to composers like Phillip Glass, Mark Isham, and assorted other composers' works. It is not surprising I would find inspiration in music while writing as I am a pianist and published songwriter as well.
Steven Kerry
I am a big fan of Tennessee Williams' short stories and stories with some kind of unexpected twist. While some of stories in Shades of Gay are slice-of-life tales, others do have a twist. I tend to mix drama and humor in my stories. Humor is part of my style; to me it actually enhances the dramatic impact in a story. My first novel was so long it was published in trilogy form, so I thought it would be fun to write a more compact book of short stories this time around. The readers' reactions are quite interesting; the stories I drew completely from my own imagination seem to get a more favorable reaction. The ones that I drew from actual life experiences draw more criticism. That seems ironic, but a writer never knows how people will react; it's a wonderfully mysterious process.
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