Ask the Author: Paul Bryan Roach
Answered Questions (6)
Paul Bryan Roach
"Citizen-Surgeon" was a book that I had to write. After deploying to Afghanistan I couldn't focus on the rest of my life until it had been written. I didn't get the idea for that one; the idea got me.
Paul Bryan Roach
I have two phases: writing and re-writing. In the writing phase I think capturing inspiration is tricky: you can make a sailboat but making the wind to fill the sails is impossible. I think --for me, at least-- the process is one of preparing myself and my environment as best I can and then remaining attentive to when the time might be right. When I sense that it might be, or sense even the chance that it might be, it is that point when I must drop whatever else I can (oftentimes I can't) and take full advantage of that moment. Then when I hit the desk I have to push hard; it is real work, but sixty minutes of intense effort then is worth hours and hours otherwise. In the re-writing phase --which lasts much longer-- it's less delicate and I just have to be disciplined about showing up to the desk every day and putting in the effort.
Paul Bryan Roach
I have finished my second book, a memoir about the Afghan War entitled "Citizen-Surgeon," and wish to begin my third which will be the sequel to my first novel, "The End."
Paul Bryan Roach
Without a doubt get a good day-job. It'll make writing much more difficult but it will make eating and buying clothes much easier. Also and more importantly it will give you a perspective through which to view the world. It will give you your "voice." If you don't engage in the world you have no authority to write about it. An undifferentiated writer is not worth reading.
Paul Bryan Roach
When you're a kid you have this rich array of imaginary friends and adventures that keep you entertained and guessing. With maturity, those guys got to go and you don't notice it at first but your life is less exciting and dimensional when they do. If you have any doubts about it, look at children reading "Harry Potter." But if you're a writer you get to HAVE those imaginary friends (and villains) and adventures and it's quite socially acceptable. That's the best part of writing.
Paul Bryan Roach
I don't know. I've got it right now and it's a b*tch.
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