Ask the Author: Larry Beinhart
Answered Questions (12)
Larry Beinhart
I write about politics a lot. We have entered a period in which election results horrify people. For example: You are a woman who has longed dreamed of a female president, a strong woman, like Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump gets elected. Or, you're someone who has come to believe that Donald Trump has been sent by God to save America from things like black presidents and transgender children going to the wrong bathroom. Then he loses to Joe Biden.
I also write about economics. One begins to study economics in the belief that it is rational and evidence based. Then, as you follow it, you find yourself deeper and deeper in a system that is theological ... and there is no way out.
Here's a standard one on domestic matters. A girl believes that marriage is such a special state that it will solve all her problems. Once married she discovers she still hates her job, is frequently depressed, has body issues, money issues, and a companion who lets her know that she is, indeed, inadequate. A man marries in the expectation that marriage is the McDonald's of needs, quick sex on a bun, respect, admiration, emotional support for his unspoken emotions. Married, he, of course, finds that those were just advertisements he'd made up in his own head. To each of those you could add, and so it ends in institutionalized depression or suicide or murder ... or another sad novel in which the author thinks that malaise and ennui need to be explored or that a given adultery is really extraordinary.
I also write about economics. One begins to study economics in the belief that it is rational and evidence based. Then, as you follow it, you find yourself deeper and deeper in a system that is theological ... and there is no way out.
Here's a standard one on domestic matters. A girl believes that marriage is such a special state that it will solve all her problems. Once married she discovers she still hates her job, is frequently depressed, has body issues, money issues, and a companion who lets her know that she is, indeed, inadequate. A man marries in the expectation that marriage is the McDonald's of needs, quick sex on a bun, respect, admiration, emotional support for his unspoken emotions. Married, he, of course, finds that those were just advertisements he'd made up in his own head. To each of those you could add, and so it ends in institutionalized depression or suicide or murder ... or another sad novel in which the author thinks that malaise and ennui need to be explored or that a given adultery is really extraordinary.
Larry Beinhart
There's Zombie Pharm. As discussed in my latest blog entry.
Larry Beinhart
Belief that I can sell what I'm writing.
Or, a deadline, if it's a commission/assignment - as when I was writing for the Al Jazeera TV news magazine Empire.
Or, a deadline, if it's a commission/assignment - as when I was writing for the Al Jazeera TV news magazine Empire.
Larry Beinhart
Trying to promote Zombie Pharm
Larry Beinhart
Forgive me being slow to answer these. I didn't even know this section was here.
What do you like? What's there a market for?
The former because why would you write things you don't like? You might as well have a job.
If there's no market, you will have to have a job (or an inheritance or rob convenience stores or sell your body).
I suppose that writing to sell could be "selling out," (though it's harder to find buyers than people imagine), but it is also a form of discipline. It means writing to communicate.
My personal opinion is that a lot of what is taught about writing is quite misleading. If you want to know why I say that and what I mean in detail take a look at my book How To Write A Mystery. It's applicable to any form of fiction.
What do you like? What's there a market for?
The former because why would you write things you don't like? You might as well have a job.
If there's no market, you will have to have a job (or an inheritance or rob convenience stores or sell your body).
I suppose that writing to sell could be "selling out," (though it's harder to find buyers than people imagine), but it is also a form of discipline. It means writing to communicate.
My personal opinion is that a lot of what is taught about writing is quite misleading. If you want to know why I say that and what I mean in detail take a look at my book How To Write A Mystery. It's applicable to any form of fiction.
Larry Beinhart
Forgive me being slow to answer these. I didn't even know this section was here.
Making things. I like making things. Always different things. (Though I wish I could write essentially the same book over and over. That's where publishing success comes from. Usually. It's hard to do and do it well. I respect it. But can't really do it.)
When it's successful there are lots of great things about it. Money, travel, some regard, even brief moments of minor celebrity.
Making things. I like making things. Always different things. (Though I wish I could write essentially the same book over and over. That's where publishing success comes from. Usually. It's hard to do and do it well. I respect it. But can't really do it.)
When it's successful there are lots of great things about it. Money, travel, some regard, even brief moments of minor celebrity.
Larry Beinhart
Minor block or Major block?
Minor block meaning what do i do with this part of a book when I feel stuck. If I'm smart enough to get up off my ass and do the work - plotting potential fictional events out on paper - and if that doesn't work running if my knees work, walking if they whine - until something comes up.
Major block I used to overcome with poverty. Better right something to sell. I was kind of absurdly lucking when I started. I sold what i wrote. Recently I wrote things that I didn't sell. It's hard for me to write without the certainty that "this project" will sell. I'm not sure how to overcome that.
Minor block meaning what do i do with this part of a book when I feel stuck. If I'm smart enough to get up off my ass and do the work - plotting potential fictional events out on paper - and if that doesn't work running if my knees work, walking if they whine - until something comes up.
Major block I used to overcome with poverty. Better right something to sell. I was kind of absurdly lucking when I started. I sold what i wrote. Recently I wrote things that I didn't sell. It's hard for me to write without the certainty that "this project" will sell. I'm not sure how to overcome that.
Larry Beinhart
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I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
Larry Beinhart
Forgive me being slow to answer these. I didn't even know this section was here.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
Larry Beinhart
Forgive me being slow to answer these. I didn't even know this section was here.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
Larry Beinhart
Forgive me being slow to answer these. I didn't even know this section was here.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
Larry Beinhart
Forgive me being slow to answer these. I didn't even know this section was here.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
I don't do summer reading lists. Or any reading lists. It generally goes by projects. I'm sort of betwixt and between. Every once in a while I check out the Best Mysteries, Best Thrillers list, order what I can get through the library and check them out.
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