Robert J. Mendenhall is a retired police officer, retired Air National Guardsman, and former Broadcast Journalist for the American Forces Network, Europe. A member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America, he writes in multiple genres including science fiction, crime and suspense, horror, and pulp adventure. His short fiction has appeared in three Star Trek: Strange New Worlds anthologies published by Pocket Books, and anthologies by Kayelle Press, Dark Quest Books, Chaosium Publishing, Zimbell House Press, Nomadic Delirium Press, Rogue Star Press, and Airship 27 Productions.
How long have you been writing and what got you started?
My interest in story-telling began by reading comic books when I was a young lad. I scribbled several thrilling (not so much) tales of my favorite characters and locked them away in a drawer for no one to see. I started writing science fiction stories in the late 70s and have my very first rejection letter framed on the wall in my writing space (right next to my first acceptance letter). I had my first short story sale in 1995, but it was never published. My first actual published story was in Pocket Books’ Star Trek Strange: New Worlds Volume IV, in 2001.
What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
One word: Perseverance. When you start submitting what you write, you will be rejected over and over again. No matter. Keep sending the story out. I had one story that was rejected 36 times over a fifteen-year period before it was finally accepted. Fiction writing is a long game.
What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
Science fiction is my favorite to read and write, but I also love historical fiction and crime/suspense (and write in them both). To choose a single, favorite author from each it would be Ben Bova for science fiction, W.E.B. Griffith for historical fiction, and Robert B. Parker for crime/suspense.
How do you measure success when it comes to your writing?
Certainly, there is validation when a story has been accepted and published. But for me I feel successful when I know I’ve written a well-crafted story with characters I’ve come to care about and a climax that resolves the story’s conflict.
What tips do you have for finding time to write?
Making writing a priority in your life is the first thing, then finding opportunities in your day to get to it. That may mean giving something up to write, like some TV time. Or getting up an hour early. Or writing on the bus or on your lunch break. One of my writing mentors called this “writing in the gaps.” I love that line. I approach writing like I would a job. I actually schedule time to write on my daily to-do list, and block out time on my calendar. In his book, The War of Art, Screenwriter Steven Pressfield equates writing to doing work. I have one of his sayings on my bulletin board and it’s become my mantra: “Do Your Work.”
Are you an outliner or discovery writer? Or somewhere in between?
Bit of both, I imagine. I’m a short fiction writer so I tend to take an idea and “pants” it to a point, then loosely outline it to steer it in the general direction I want it to go. Then I slip back into discovery writing. If I have a deadline, I tend to outline more. Either way, though, I’m not beholden to the outline.
How do you deal with rejections?
In my early days of submitting my fiction, I would react rather negatively to a rejection letter. I think most new writers do and it’s only natural. But as time went by and I became more aware of the editorial process, my perspective changed and I became less discouraged. I understood if an editor had only half-a-dozen slots on a short story anthology, but received hundreds of submissions, the chances of my story being selected were reduced. Once I got that, I focused on trying to make my story outshine the others by honing my craft. I still get rejections. Lots of them. Not happy about it. But now, I just log it in my tracking system, and send the story to the next prospective editor.
In your opinion, how important is a writing degree or MFA when it comes to achieving success in writing fiction?
I have an MFA. Getting mine helped me in a number of ways, specifically meeting deadlines, broadening my exposure to literature, and stretching my creative muscles. But, in all honesty, it did little to help me achieve success as a fiction writer. Having said that, there is no shortcut for learning craft. I continually seek out mentors to help me develop my skills as a writer. Something new can always be learned and every technique can always be honed. A Master of Fine Arts degree is nice, but no editor I’ve worked with would accept a story of mine simple because I have an MFA after my name.
What are your writing goals for the next five years?
My main goal is to increase the number of stories I have in circulation. I also have two novels in progress that I hope to complete.
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