10 Questions with Kevin J. MacLeod
Kevin J. MacLeod lives in Missouri with his wife and his animals where he works all day and writes all night. Like a Kiss song but only half the fun. He has a self-published Splatter-punk horror novel entitled ‘The Twister’.
1. How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I have been writing off and on since grade school. I never took it seriously until a few years ago when I realized that writing is the only thing that I have ever done in my life that I love to do. It was just something that I’ve always done. There was no conscious trigger. Now I just want to share.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Do not edit your material the second that you are done. Give it a rest and write something else. If possible you should find a program that will be able to read the chapters back for you. Cyberbuddy has a clipboard feature and is free. It isn’t pretty but it works.
3. What is the worst piece of advice you have for new writers?
Do not pay heed to other writers who have dealt with the battle that you are undertaking. Their hardships and tips will never help you.
4. What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
I love Horror and Bizarro equally. Authors like Tim Waggoner, Carlton Mellick III, Clive Barker, Cameron Pierce, Edward lee, and Jeff Burk are brilliant writers. There are many others, but these are my favorites.
5. What tips do you have for finding time to write?
It’s hard to find time to write if you have a family, a job, and other responsibilities. It can get downright maddening at times. Get what you need to get done. Sit down with a notepad and pen, or in front of your computer and write. TV and video Games should be treated as the enemy. Put in your earbuds and get to work. Writing comes first, always.
6. Do you prefer to outline a story in advance or write on the fly? Why?
I have never outlined a story. Everything I have ever written is based off of a single situation or thought that just kind of grows as I write it down. The story tells me what is going to happen. I like that quality about writing. It is like I am the stories first reader instead of its creator.
7. How do you deal with rejections?
Rejections do not bother me and never have. I have an email full of them and they are valuable to me. I wish more had critiques to them but I understand why they do not.
8. What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
I will have my second draft of Heavens Burning (a novel) done in a little while. I would like to have that, a novella named Treant, and a few short stories done within the year.
9. For the next five years?
To be a better writer.
10. Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
If you like “Jezebel” or feel like saying hi even, my Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/kevin.j.macleod. There’s always room at my table.
