Q&A with G. Donald Black - Episode 1

Welcome to my inaugural Q&A session! I’ll post these periodically, as you fill my inbox with your comments and queries. For this first post, I’ve assembled some of the most popular and interesting questions I’ve received lately. Before diving in, I want to say thanks for the outpouring of support for the new website and your ongoing respect for the stories. As I have said before, I wouldn’t be here without you. It’s a great pleasure and privilege to be able to write for a living. I don’t take a second of it – or you – for granted. With that said, let’s see what’s on your mind.

Where do your ideas come from?

This is the most common question every author gets, and it seems every author has a pretty similar response. I hope mine doesn’t sound elusive, but the simple answer is: Everywhere. I’m fortunate to have a brain that works constantly at creating things. I’m highly observant, often seeing things others don’t. So I can be walking along the street and see a kid riding a bike and my brain will say, “I wonder how long the rubber on those tires is going to last,” which leads to, “What if the rubber suddenly got so thin that it popped?” which leads to, “What if the most pressing thing on that kid’s mind when he awoke this morning was finding a bike with good tires so he could travel to a nearby town to find food three years into the zombie apocalypse?” And that’s how a short story is born. It happens for me all the time. I could be at a ball game or the grocery store or watching a movie. I guess I’m just wired that way – which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the situation. I will also say that I’ve had several ideas come to me in dreams or in those waking moments after a dream. Maybe it’s the title of the story, the basic premise, or even sometimes the full narrative arc from start to finish. I quickly reach for my phone on the bedside table and type my notes into an app. I still marvel at this happening, and it continues to do so at least a few times a year. There is something magical about creating something subconsciously, when your brain is free to roam the landscape of the dreamworld without restrictions or judgment. And then to be able to remember any piece of the story and document it is just amazing to me. A few of the stories offered in The Black Market were born in dreams, including Fallout and Head On. Hopefully I’ve done my dreams justice.

Do you have a writing routine?

Absolutely. I have found that there is a certain discipline required to do what I do, so I am pretty religious about sticking to my daily routine. It seems to yield the best results, so why do something else? I wake up early every day, usually between 5:30 and 6:30, no alarm clock. I grab some coffee, find a comfortable chair, and read for about an hour. As I mentioned in another blog post, I prefer horror and thrillers, but I purposely read a variety of genres to make sure I’m well-rounded and don’t confine myself to a certain area. I think that’s why my stories are so diverse, and it certainly keeps the writing interesting for me. After I read, I eat a light breakfast and head to my laptop to write. Depending on my mood, I’ll either pick up where I left off the previous day or flesh out some working ideas. But basically I write whatever feels right at that moment. Some days I’ll write a couple chapters, and some days I’m only good for a few paragraphs. That’s perfectly natural and something I don’t get upset about anymore. No use beating yourself up when you do the best you can. After writing for a few hours, I’ll break for lunch and see if my head is still in the right space for more writing. If so, I’ll head back to the laptop to give until the giving is gone. But if my brain is not cooperating or I’m distracted, I’ll call it a day and go be productive doing something else. So my output for the day really depends on where my head is. I have more good days than bad, but I’ve learned to accept that not every day produces a novel. It’s a process - trust it, do the work, be patient, and good things will happen.

What tips do you have for aspiring writers?

Best tip: read the last sentence of the last answer. Past that, when you finish work that you believe is worthy of someone else’s eyes, use your family and friends as editors and critics. And tell them not to hold back with their critiques. You have to have thick skin to be a writer. You can’t get upset when every story isn’t universally accepted. Everyone has different tastes, and you certainly can’t satisfy them all. Take criticism constructively, whether it was meant that way or not. And most importantly, write for yourself. If other people like it, that’s the cherry on top of a delicious ice cream sundae.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

My other blog post, Meet the Author, answers this and other popular questions. But the short answer is that it was in my late teens. In the wake of personal tragedy, I found comfort in books. After reading for a few years, I realized that I loved putting words together to tell stories myself. However, wanting to be a writer and becoming one are different things. It takes intense commitment and trust in yourself. I believe strongly in the power of manifesting things you want, which is to say that if you set your mind to it you can accomplish anything. I don’t regret for a moment the decision to take this path. If you feel the writer’s itch yourself, you can reach out and ask me for advice anytime.

If you didn’t write, what would you do for a living?

That’s a tough one. I have so many interests. I’m a science nerd by nature, so maybe something in medicine or astronomy. I’m not really motivated by money. I want my life to be fulfilling, so I gravitate toward experiences rather than material things. I’m also a fitness guy, so maybe something in that industry. It’s a really tough question, but I hope I don’t have to answer it (for real) anytime soon.

Do you read the reviews of your work?

I admit that I do take a peek at them from time to time. Not because I’m looking for validation, but I want to make sure I’m connecting on some level with my readers. I mentioned before that it was important to write for yourself, which I do wholeheartedly, but I’m also conscious about writing enjoyable stories. Luckily, my reviews have been mostly positive, so I’m doing something right. And it seems the people that like my work really like it. So, yes, I monitor the reviews – and I confess that the 5-star ratings do put a smile on my face.

Do you ever get writer’s block?

You bet. Every writer does. There are just some days that I’m not motivated. And some days there’s nothing fresh rattling around in my head demanding to be put on the page. Who knows why that happens? Stress? Preoccupation? Diet? In the end it really doesn’t matter, you just have to deal with it. As I said before, if the words aren’t coming I walk away and do something productive somewhere else. When it’s time to write, you’ll know.

What’s your favorite sandwich?

I’m not sure why anyone would want to know this, but I totally respect that you’re comfortable asking me (LOL). So I actually have a few favorite sandwiches and, more specifically, memorable sandwich experiences. As far as favorites go, in my book you can’t beat a French Dip or Monte Cristo with raspberry jam. Maybe it’s the dipping that appeals to me, but if either of those treats are on the menu you can count on me having one. As for memorable experiences, on my honeymoon in the Caribbean years ago, I had two amazing sandwiches that have stuck with me ever since. The first was a shredded chicken sandwich with cheese, mushrooms, and caramelized onions that was so juicy it took both hands and a fork to eat. Absolutely delicious. The second was a blackened grouper sandwich with tomato, lettuce, and remoulade sauce that I enjoyed at a seaside burger shack with my toes in the sand and the sun on my face. If I close my eyes I can still hear the waves rolling in, the seagulls squealing, and the pleasure-filled moans accompanying every bite. Okay, enough about sandwiches. You’re making me hungry!

Thanks so much for the great questions. Keep ‘em coming! For those of you so inclined, use the Connect page to send your comments and queries. Yours might even end up in the next Q&A post.

Until next time, stay well!