Welcome back, Earl. It is always a joy to visit with you. Let’s talk writing! Do you have a unique place to write?
Earl - Definitely. Most people listen to their car radio as they drive. That would only be a distraction for me because I do a lot of writing while I’m driving. I should amend that statement, I suppose. I don’t actually write as I drive, but I do a lot of thinking about my writing as I drive. Many times, I’ve been able to work out a plot problem or come up with just the right phrasing I need as the miles fly by beneath me.
I also have another unique writing location. I drive a school bus as a part time job. No, I don’t think about my writing when I’m driving the bus. Having forty to fifty kids behind me demands all my attention. There is, however, a long break between taking them to school in the morning and getting them back home in the afternoon. That’s when I take my laptop into the driver’s lounge, tune out the blaring TV at one end of the room and the loud conversations among other drivers at other tables, and write.
Anne - When did you first realize you were destined to be an author?
Earl - In high school, an English teacher said I had writing talent and urged me to enter an essay contest. I did and won the first prize of fifty dollars. From that time on, I felt I would someday be a writer. I suppressed the feeling for a long time, and I’m sorry I put it off for so many years. If I’d begun writing seriously sooner, I might be much farther along in my writing career. Maybe not. Maybe I wasn’t ready until I’d chewed up a large chunk of life. When it comes to what might have been, one never knows for sure, does one?
Anne - What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Anne – Oh, I can SO relate! You described my process. I joke that I edit and revise until my eyes bleed, but honestly, like you, I can’t let go. Would you share an excerpt with us?
Earl - This one is from my novel, MEMORY OF A MURDER. Adam Kingston is a private investigator with a psychic gift. In a recent psychic image, he saw a disheveled, homeless man with long hair and a scraggly beard coming toward him. He has no idea who the man is or what he wants, but he sensed trouble. This scene is at the end of Chapter One.
After a long, lazy shower, Adam turned off the water in time to hear the buzz of his intercom. He sloshed to the foyer on wet feet, wrapping a towel around him as he went. He recognized the voice of the dayshift doorman from the lobby.
"Mr. Kingston?"
"Hey, Henry. Good morning.”
“Mr. Kingston, there's a, uh, man down here. Says he wants to see you. You expecting anyone?"
Adam smiled. A retired postal worker, Henry's purpose in life now was to protect residents of the condo building by screening all non-residents who entered. He took great pride in his vigilance. "No, I'm not expecting anyone. Who is it?"
Adam waited through a moment of muffled voices before Henry spoke again.
"He says his name is Weathers. Says it's important, and he wants to talk to you, but I, uh, I . . ." Henry's voice dropped to a whisper. "I think I should send him away. He's, well, like one of those street people. You know, the kind that hits on you for a handout? Maybe I should get rid of him."
Adam's curiosity kept him from telling Henry to send the man on his way. He could go to the lobby and meet him, but he had things to do first. Like drying off, getting dressed, having breakfast.
"Tell you what, Henry. Ask him to come back in an hour. Tell him I'm in the shower."
"In the shower. Right, Mr. Kingston. Will do."
Adam thanked Henry and headed for the bedroom, toweling as he walked. He had one leg in a pair of slacks when he heard the intercom buzzer again. He jabbed the other leg in and hurried to the foyer.
"What is it, Henry?"
"Mr. Kingston? He, uh, says he'll wait for you, if you can come down after your shower."
"Well then, if he insists on waiting, tell him I'll be down in half an hour." The man could wait until he finished dressing and had a bite to eat.
"But, uh, Mr. Kingston?"
"Yes."
"I don't know, I mean, him hanging around the lobby, looking like he does. I don't know about that."
Something clicked in Adam's mind. “Does this man have long hair and a beard, dressed kind of scruffy?"
"Yes, sir. That's why I don't think he should—"
"Henry. . . ."
"Yes, sir?"
"Send him up."
You’re also invited to visit my website. You’ll find Chapter One of MEMORY OF A MURDER there. You’ll also find a short story called “The Day I Almost Became a Great Writer.” Some say it’s the funniest story I’ve ever written. There’s also one called “White Hats and Happy Trails,” about the day I spent with a boyhood idol, Roy Rogers. It’s a true story and there’s a picture to prove it.
Thanks, Earl.
Just a final word…I’m visiting Earl’s blog today on the Mystery We Write blog tour. Leave a comment to win an ecopy of Frank, Incense and Muriel, book one of the Muriel Reeves Mysteries.
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Oh, I loved the excerpt, keeps your interest. Loved the post.
ReplyDeleteMary
Hey, Earl, that was a great post. You are such a fun guy. I admire the fact that you write such great short stories. I've only managed to write two--and that was so much harder for me than writing a novel.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary, for those three words that mean so much to a writer - "keeps your interest." They're right up there with "I love you" and "Here's a check."
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, I started with short stories and still love writing them. They're just as hard as novels, but don't take so darn long. They're also great practice for writing tight, which is good for writing novels, too. Thanks for stopping by, dear lady.
ReplyDeleteEarl, have a picture of you sitting in the driver's lounge, TV on one end and driver's on the other end--noisy sound track all around--and you in the middle in a cone of silence--writing. Makes for a great photographic and literary scene in my mind! As always, thoroughly enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Earl, I love you. The Short Stories of Earl Staggs are great reading. (Now all you have to hear is that someone on this comment list wants to give you a cheque!)
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to read Memory of a Murder.
Cheers,
Theresa
http://www.ReviewsByTdeV.com
Madeline, it takes some practice to be able to shut out all the noise, but I'm sure it's the same with you -- you get so wrapped up in a scene you're writing the world could explode and you wouldn't notice.
ReplyDeleteTheresa, you sweetiepie, that makes two out of three! That check will come any second now, I just know it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, Earl, your blurb hooked me. Now I can't wait to read the book. Terrific blog, too.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post, Earl, as well as your excerpt. I use a small tape recorder to take dictation when I drive. Sometimes those great scenes we envision while traveling disappear before we reach our destination.
ReplyDeleteEarl, I loved what you said about whether you would be farther along in your writing career had you listened to your teacher and started earlier. As you said, you never know, but it made me think of what one of my college writing professors said when he described his day. He got up at 8, wrote until 2, and then freely admitted using the rest of the day to "live" so he would have something to write about. I try not to beat myself up when I think I "should" be writing and am not--eventually it all ties together!
ReplyDeleteEarl, I loved what you said about whether you would be farther along in your writing career had you listened to your teacher and started earlier. As you said, you never know, but it made me think of what one of my college writing professors said when he described his day. He got up at 8, wrote until 2, and then freely admitted using the rest of the day to "live" so he would have something to write about. I try not to beat myself up when I think I "should" be writing and am not--eventually it all ties together!
ReplyDelete