Interview with Robert J. Sawyer
December 22nd 2009 12:31
The interview with Sawyer last night went very well. He seemed to be very real and nice. I asked him if I could post the interview, and he said yes, so here it is. It's somewhat paraphrased but the most important sentiments are intact.
Me: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Sawyer: I always knew that I wanted to be a writer, but I thought it would only be a hobby. I decided to pursue a career in writing in my last year of high school.
Me: What steps have you taken to reach your writing goals?
Sawyer: I did not study creative writing in university. The number one step was writing a lot of material and submitting it. I wrote a lot of short stories. I started sending them out when I was 17 and had my first publication when I was 19.
Me: Is there anything you think a wannabe writer should study in university?
Sawyer: Anything but creative writing. Were I to do it over, I would have studied psychology. After all, what is characterization but psychology? Psychology or philosophy. That said, if you want to study something writing related, study a marketable form of writing such as journalism or public relations.
Me: What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
Sawyer: Economic uncertainty. You have no job security. You get paid royalties twice a year and the amount is always a surprise. And publishers of all kings are notorious for being late.
Me: What are some of your daily tasks, being a writer?
Sawyer: Number one and most important is actually sitting down and writing. Number two is keeping up correspondences with all the people I need to keep correspondences with, fans, my agent, etc. Number three is reading books, both for research and also to inspire me.
Me: What would your first piece of advice be to an aspiring writer?
Sawyer: Perserverance is key, don't give up. Early on you're sure to face rejection; don't let yourself get discouraged.
Me: Your book, Flash Forward, has been turned into a TV series. How do you feel about the series?
Sawyer: I like the series very much. It is a very liberal adaptation of my book, and it might have bothered me if it was a more recent book. The book is ten years old so I'm not very protective of it anymore.
Me: What are some trends in fiction writing that you've noticed?
Sawyer: More people reading fewer books. A trend moving towards blockbusters. Offbeat books are getting pushed out of the market, and that is a very bad thing.
Me: What kinds of books do you like to read?
Sawyer: I read a lot of science non-fiction, and books about businesses. I guess it fascinates me how big corporations work because they're an alien world to me, I've never really worked for one. I also read some fiction, mostly mainstream fiction.
Me: what book that you've written are you most proud of?
Sawyer: Calculating God. It's been widely read, it got people that thought they didn't like science fiction to read science fiction, and I think it's both thought provoking and moving.
Me: Is there anything you would like to add?
Sawyer: It's very hard emotionally to have a career that everyone evaluates. Most people have a certain anonymity in their workplace. The hardest thing about being a writer is simultaneously being sensitive enough to write emotionally powerful stuff while having a thick enough skin to take the criticism.
Me: What do you think about Nanowrimo?
Sawyer: I think it's a great idea, and I've considered participating a number of times. I also know several people who do participate in it. Anything that motivates people, really, I think is a good thing.
--------------------------
Shortly thereafter I went on my way. I really enjoyed meeting Sawyer and I hope to meet him again later on down the road. He wished me luck with my writing. All in all he was a very genuine seeming person. Much of what he has said is something you would hear from any writer giving advice to an aspiring writer. I hope that this interview inspires you.
It's interesting to note that Calculating God is also my favourite Sawyer book. It's a very emotional book, very psychological. You can buy it here (clicky). Another great work of his is Factoring Humanity, available here (clicky).
Me: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Sawyer: I always knew that I wanted to be a writer, but I thought it would only be a hobby. I decided to pursue a career in writing in my last year of high school.
Me: What steps have you taken to reach your writing goals?
Sawyer: I did not study creative writing in university. The number one step was writing a lot of material and submitting it. I wrote a lot of short stories. I started sending them out when I was 17 and had my first publication when I was 19.
Me: Is there anything you think a wannabe writer should study in university?
Sawyer: Anything but creative writing. Were I to do it over, I would have studied psychology. After all, what is characterization but psychology? Psychology or philosophy. That said, if you want to study something writing related, study a marketable form of writing such as journalism or public relations.
Me: What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
Sawyer: Economic uncertainty. You have no job security. You get paid royalties twice a year and the amount is always a surprise. And publishers of all kings are notorious for being late.
Me: What are some of your daily tasks, being a writer?
Sawyer: Number one and most important is actually sitting down and writing. Number two is keeping up correspondences with all the people I need to keep correspondences with, fans, my agent, etc. Number three is reading books, both for research and also to inspire me.
Me: What would your first piece of advice be to an aspiring writer?
Sawyer: Perserverance is key, don't give up. Early on you're sure to face rejection; don't let yourself get discouraged.
Me: Your book, Flash Forward, has been turned into a TV series. How do you feel about the series?
Sawyer: I like the series very much. It is a very liberal adaptation of my book, and it might have bothered me if it was a more recent book. The book is ten years old so I'm not very protective of it anymore.
Me: What are some trends in fiction writing that you've noticed?
Sawyer: More people reading fewer books. A trend moving towards blockbusters. Offbeat books are getting pushed out of the market, and that is a very bad thing.
Me: What kinds of books do you like to read?
Sawyer: I read a lot of science non-fiction, and books about businesses. I guess it fascinates me how big corporations work because they're an alien world to me, I've never really worked for one. I also read some fiction, mostly mainstream fiction.
Me: what book that you've written are you most proud of?
Sawyer: Calculating God. It's been widely read, it got people that thought they didn't like science fiction to read science fiction, and I think it's both thought provoking and moving.
Me: Is there anything you would like to add?
Sawyer: It's very hard emotionally to have a career that everyone evaluates. Most people have a certain anonymity in their workplace. The hardest thing about being a writer is simultaneously being sensitive enough to write emotionally powerful stuff while having a thick enough skin to take the criticism.
Me: What do you think about Nanowrimo?
Sawyer: I think it's a great idea, and I've considered participating a number of times. I also know several people who do participate in it. Anything that motivates people, really, I think is a good thing.
--------------------------
Shortly thereafter I went on my way. I really enjoyed meeting Sawyer and I hope to meet him again later on down the road. He wished me luck with my writing. All in all he was a very genuine seeming person. Much of what he has said is something you would hear from any writer giving advice to an aspiring writer. I hope that this interview inspires you.
It's interesting to note that Calculating God is also my favourite Sawyer book. It's a very emotional book, very psychological. You can buy it here (clicky). Another great work of his is Factoring Humanity, available here (clicky).
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