Rick Witherow has had short stories published in Midnight Zoo and The Best of the Midwest’s Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Vol. 3.
1. How long have you been writing and what got you started?
Writing since 5th grade when I entered a short story in the Weekly Reader short story contest. Lost of course.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Keep writing and join a writers club or group and associate with writers and if possible, attend writers conferences.
3. Are there any writing resources, such as books or websites, you’d like to recommend?
No particular resources. I’m a member of the Horror Writers Association. That’s helpful.
4. What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
Horror and science fiction. Ray Bradbury and Robert Bloch and Dean Koontz.
5. What tips do you have for finding time to write?
Discipline yourself. Set aside time whether daily or otherwise but schedule yourself to write minimum number of pages and/or fixed minimum time.
6. Do you prefer to outline a story in advance or write on the fly? Why?
On the fly. There are two schools of thought. Some people associate the two schools with left-brain dominance and right-brain dominance. Karen Witmer-Gowe and Eileen Dryer (both very published writers) used to put on a combination lecture on the subject with each taking one stance based upon their own methods.
7. How do you deal with rejections?
Rejections are part of the experience. As well, you can let them serve to generate more attention to learning about where to submit and what.
8. What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
Keep writing and keep submitting. Currently working on another novel. (Have not sold one yet but continuing to write just the same.)
9. For the next five years?
Same as above.
10. Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
Nothing but thank you for offering.
