20 Questions with Quinn Slater
- What made you decide to become an author?
I needed to escape my mistakes in life. It allowed me freedom to experience the things I wanted to experience. I needed that outlet.
- What is the hardest thing about writing for you?
Confidence. I really am my own worst critic. I have dozens of stories that have not been finished because I lack the confidence to do so, or I have written myself into a corner and I’m not sure how to get out.
- Do you have any routines or superstitions that you go through whenever you write a book – Such as a specific room to write in, certain drink, same pen/pencil every time, specific music or noise? Release a book?
When I release a book I like to going hiking and get away from everything. Just be alone and enjoy the peace and quiet.
- Who is the one person in the writing profession who has inspired you the most?
Probably my mentor in graduate school when I was working on my MFA. He famously told our class that I was the only student in class who could make two people fuck for three pages. We all got a great laugh. He has no idea I write under a pan name. He also called me out in class one day, saying, “Learn to use a fucking comma!”. He was awesome.
- Which character is your favorite? Which character was the hardest to write? Why?
Probably Quin Slater (yes, a character named after my pen name) because he’s a guy that has experienced a number of people walking out on him in his life. People seem to overlook his damaged soul. I feel like I relate to him and his struggles.
- Would you consider collaborating on a book with anyone else? If so…who? Who would be your unicorn author to collaborate with?
If really depends on genre, since I write in several. Literary- Jonathan trooper, Horror-Robert McCammon, Thriller-Jonathan Kellerman
- Who is your favorite author…someone that you will buy their book even without thinking?
Jonathan Trooper
- What is your best piece of advice for someone who wants to write or publish?
Patience and thick skin. You have to understand that, like so many other parts of life, there are bad people in the business and they are more than willing to take advantage of you. Educate yourself on the business.
- If you could ask your readers 1 question and have them all answer…what would it be?
That’s a tough one. Maybe what they thought of my female characters?
- What is your writing kryptonite?
Stresses in life. I have certain people close to me that can shut down my mood to write in only a couple of words. It’s too bad because they are close to me and there’s no way to rid myself of them
- Do you plot out your book or do you write as you go?
Write as I go. I’v tried plotting it but I enjoy the discovery too much.
- Do you want each book or series to stand on its own or are you building a universe where all the books/series connect with each other?
This is a huge issue for me. I have so many different things in my head that I have trouble writing a series.
- If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice related to writing what would it be?
Honestly, writing was more important than the people who interfere with the writing.
- What is the biggest lesson you learned after you published your first book?
No one believes in your dream more than you do. I thought family and friends would be all over my books. That wasn’t the case. And the more I published the less friendly some people became.
- What is a guilty pleasure?
I’d love to do the things in my books.
- Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
Hawaii was beautiful. I could live out the rest of my life there.
- What’s an Item on your bucket list?
Visit Iceland. I’d also like to visit all the places I’ve read about in books.
- Do you have a spirit animal? If so, what is it?
An Eagle. I’d love to have the power of flight and fly free through the skies
- What is your favorite holiday & why?
Christmas because I love to give.
- What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
Wax lips J, although I’m not sure they make them anymore.
Trouble Maker's Library 