Ask the Author: Genta Sebastian
Answered Questions (9)
Genta Sebastian
That would be telling, now wouldn't it? Let's just say it involves long-dead relatives, delving into the mysteries of the mind, and escaping a cruel world without suicide.
Genta Sebastian
George and Lennie from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. I know, that's a strange answer coming from anyone, much less an out-loud-and-proud lesbian. I know that they were not a romantic couple and if that was the question I have a totally different response, but as asked I stand by my answer.
Thrown together by dire circumstances, one man makes the choice to give up opportunities and chances for personal attainment to care for an over-large, extra-strong, child in a man's body with the reasoning power of a four-year-old. They are not related by blood, yet George takes on the responsibility for seeing Lenny through life, knowing his life would be easier without him.
Lennie is confused by life, but George keeps him aimed toward a shared dream of owning their own place, raising their own animals. His strength, as well as his innocence, are both asset and liability. He needs George to keep him centered, safe, and productive. To Lennie, George is home no matter where they might be.
Although tragic, the ending is a complicated dance of love, betrayal, ultimate responsibility, and never-ending faith.
Thrown together by dire circumstances, one man makes the choice to give up opportunities and chances for personal attainment to care for an over-large, extra-strong, child in a man's body with the reasoning power of a four-year-old. They are not related by blood, yet George takes on the responsibility for seeing Lenny through life, knowing his life would be easier without him.
Lennie is confused by life, but George keeps him aimed toward a shared dream of owning their own place, raising their own animals. His strength, as well as his innocence, are both asset and liability. He needs George to keep him centered, safe, and productive. To Lennie, George is home no matter where they might be.
Although tragic, the ending is a complicated dance of love, betrayal, ultimate responsibility, and never-ending faith.
Genta Sebastian
Hi, Sheryl! I get my ideas from any number of places. My first YA novels were conceived as I listened to Rosie O'Donnell talk about the questions her (then) ten-year-old son had about growing up with lesbian parents.
My much more mature YA novel (contemporary horror) was a reaction to a nearby school district that suffered nine (9) student suicides in a matter of months due to a repressive (Don't Say Gay) administration.
I spent time writing and selling lesbian erotica, mostly to prove to myself that I could turn out saleable literature. I'd been shlepping the YA novels to mainstream presses and received close to two hundred rejection letters. When I sold eight short stories to three major lesbian presses within 18 months, I felt a bit more vindicated.
But my newest book is a sheer work of love. I've taken my wife's childhood stories and fictionalized them into a romance novel. I think it's the best thing I've ever written, and I'm looking forward to publishing it soon, hopefully, this summer.
Thanks for your question.
~ Genta
My much more mature YA novel (contemporary horror) was a reaction to a nearby school district that suffered nine (9) student suicides in a matter of months due to a repressive (Don't Say Gay) administration.
I spent time writing and selling lesbian erotica, mostly to prove to myself that I could turn out saleable literature. I'd been shlepping the YA novels to mainstream presses and received close to two hundred rejection letters. When I sold eight short stories to three major lesbian presses within 18 months, I felt a bit more vindicated.
But my newest book is a sheer work of love. I've taken my wife's childhood stories and fictionalized them into a romance novel. I think it's the best thing I've ever written, and I'm looking forward to publishing it soon, hopefully, this summer.
Thanks for your question.
~ Genta
Genta Sebastian
My incredible, fascinating, story-telling wife, who just happened to grow up on a small island in the Atlantic during the 1950's.
Genta Sebastian
I'm not sure I understand the question. If you mean, how do I get the ideas for my books, random thoughts, listening to other people's conversations, and writing a story I want to read.
If you mean how do I get the motivation to actually write, that's non-negotiable. I write, therefore I am.
If you mean how do I get the motivation to actually write, that's non-negotiable. I write, therefore I am.
Genta Sebastian
I've written a bunch of short stories for anthologies, in various genres. I've published three M/G or Y/A novels for LGBTQIA+ readers. But that's not what you asked....
I'm currently switching genres and have almost finished a novel about a lesbian growing up and finding love on a small island in the Atlantic during the 1950's. She's funny, feisty, and full of dreams. Working Title: Island Girl
I'm currently switching genres and have almost finished a novel about a lesbian growing up and finding love on a small island in the Atlantic during the 1950's. She's funny, feisty, and full of dreams. Working Title: Island Girl
Genta Sebastian
Stop finding reasons why you can't do it. Quit listening to the little voice in your head that finds any reason not to sit down and start.
Then write an outline, or synopsis, or draw/paint/find an image that inspires you, and just START.
The process can seem overwhelming from a distance, but it's no different than putting one foot in front of the other. Just start, and don't worry about rewrites, edits, publishing, promotion, and the host of other things until AFTER the first draft is finished.
OR - find a call for submissions with a deadline, and meet it. That's actually how I started.
Then write an outline, or synopsis, or draw/paint/find an image that inspires you, and just START.
The process can seem overwhelming from a distance, but it's no different than putting one foot in front of the other. Just start, and don't worry about rewrites, edits, publishing, promotion, and the host of other things until AFTER the first draft is finished.
OR - find a call for submissions with a deadline, and meet it. That's actually how I started.
Genta Sebastian
Well, so far the best thing has been hearing back from readers about their experiences while reading the book. And winning an award - that was a real highlight.
Genta Sebastian
I sit and stare at the blank page for a while. Then I get up and run in circles, screaming and shouting. Okay, maybe that part is only in my head.
Then I sit down, put my fingers on the keys, and start with random thoughts. Once the swirly burlies are out of my head, I find I'm good to start something new.
If the block happens while in the middle of a project, I start reading it from the last few completed chapters, or from the start of the story. That usually primes the pump.
Of course, if none of that works, I do the laundry.
Then I sit down, put my fingers on the keys, and start with random thoughts. Once the swirly burlies are out of my head, I find I'm good to start something new.
If the block happens while in the middle of a project, I start reading it from the last few completed chapters, or from the start of the story. That usually primes the pump.
Of course, if none of that works, I do the laundry.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more