Ask the Author: William M. O'Brien Jr.
Answered Questions (10)
William M. O'Brien Jr.
In the semi-darkness, she rushed to the top of the stairs where she collided with the invisible thing that had called her. Helpless, she fell to the floor where the thing covered her tearing her up with its long claws.
William M. O'Brien Jr.
Baum's Oz - Live in eternal comfort and friendship with a huge variety of individuals.
William M. O'Brien Jr.
Malraux's "Man's Fate"
Nabokov's "Lolita"
Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia"
(these three notables among several others)
Nabokov's "Lolita"
Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia"
(these three notables among several others)
William M. O'Brien Jr.
In the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, who, or what, was playing with my left foot while I was half asleep, trying to take a nap? The only two people in the room, my wife and daughter, were on the other side of the room.
William M. O'Brien Jr.
My most recently published book "I Alexandra" came from a fascination I have always had of the great Galveston storm of 1900. It fit so nicely in with my central family from Stehle's Door (they live in Houston, only fifty to sixty miles north of Houston), that I just put the two together. Of course I threw in some ghosts, some extraordinary events and out-of-this-world occurrences and wound up with a novel that has scared the living hell out of more than one reader.
William M. O'Brien Jr.
All kinds of things inspire me. For short stories I get my ideas just about everywhere, from pets I have to old houses I pass on the way to the post office. (damned good horror stories begin with glimpses of abandoned, dilapidated and otherwise weird houses). Also, local legends, historical events, even hobbies and pastimes that I and others have.
William M. O'Brien Jr.
I'm in the process of finishing up a dark fantasy called "Eramenia." It is a controversial piece featuring complete and total gender reverse. I'm also working on short stories and still considering an anthology. At the same time, I am starting to gather notes and a "ten pager" for the final novel in my Stehle's Door trilogy.
William M. O'Brien Jr.
This is simple. My advice is keep on keeping on. Wade through those rejections, that writer's block, those bad reviews (blow them off!), that "advice" from those around you, etc. Above all, keep writing. The only writer who is a failure is the writer who quit writing.
William M. O'Brien Jr.
The best thing about writing is the joy of writing. Creating worlds, situations, people and the like is a true joy. It isn't the money (very few writers make big money) and it really isn't a sexual or aggressive outlet. My main motto is "you write well and you edit well and don't give a damn whether it's published or not."
William M. O'Brien Jr.
I brainstorm different angles to the problem at hand. When I'm struck with writer's block, I'm usually in the middle of something and don't know how to proceed. (in fact, I'm at that point in one short story now). I keep this procedure up until I find one that will "fit." Then I proceed accordingly. I'm usually doing this brainstorming in bed, in the shower, while working in the yard, or driving to the store.
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