20 Questoins with Scott Clark
1. What made you decide to become an author?
I’ve always had an interest in writing. I think my love of it came in my junior year of high school. One of my teachers, Ms. Saunders, wrote on an essay I turned in that I had a strong command of language. It took quite a few years of not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, dropping out of college, and dead-end jobs before I realized how much I wanted to write for a living.
2. What is the hardest thing about writing for you?
Taking criticism. I get defensive when a beta reader or someone makes suggestions about what does/doesn’t work. I eventually give in, though. I’m working on it.
3. 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?
Really, the only thing I can’t have is music with lyrics or a tv going. I get too distracted by what they are saying. I do most of my writing on lunch breaks or at night, when everyone else goes to sleep. No real routine or anything.
4. Who is the one person in the writing profession who has inspired you the most?
I think I’d have to say Stephen King. For one, I would love to make a living writing horror. There are a ridiculous number of movies based on his stories. He is a household name. That would be a dream come true for me.
5. Which character is your favorite? Which character was the hardest to write? Why?
I think my favorite character is probably Vincent in The Anura Incident. I don’t think I’ve really had any difficulties writing any of my characters so far.
6. Would you consider collaborating on a book with anyone else? If so…who? Who would be your unicorn author to collaborate with?
I would consider it given the right circumstances. If I could write with anyone, it would probably be Phil Rossi, the author of Crescent and Harvey.
7. Who is your favorite author…someone that you will buy their book even without thinking?
Again, I’d have to say Rossi. Well, him and Scott Sigler.
8. What is your best piece of advice for someone who wants to write or publish?
Just do it. If you want to be a writer, just start writing. I joined a few Facebook groups of writers and picked up some good tips there. The more you write, you better you’ll get.
9. If you could ask your readers 1 question and have them all answer…what would it be?
Do I scare you? Or rather, do my stories scare you?
10. What is your writing kryptonite?
The internet. I can be easily distracted.
11. Do you plot out your book or do you write as you go?
I usually come up with a general idea and just start writing. I let it write itself, basically. I also get ideas for the storyline while doing other things and sometimes make short notes, but I don’t really outline or anything.
12. 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?
Both. I want people to be able to pick up any of my books and enjoy them on their own, but I also like to have little things here and there to tie them all together.
13. If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice related to writing what would it be?
Write more. Get serious about it sooner.
14. What is the biggest lesson you learned after you published your first book?
That I need to learn more about marketing my work.
15. What is a guilty pleasure?
I don’t know if it’s exactly a guilty pleasure, but I’ve always really bad enjoyed those terrible, over-the-top, ridiculous horror movies.
16. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
I love the beach.
17. What’s an Item on your bucket list?
To buy a house out in the country, surrounded by farms and whatnot.
18. Do you have a spirit animal? If so, what is it?
I suppose it would be a cat of some type. I need to be around people who care about me, but I also need my time to be left alone.
19. What is your favorite holiday & why?
I really like Thanksgiving for the turkey. But my favorite is Halloween. It’s the time when I can indulge in my obsession with zombies and monsters without being looked at as a freak.
20. What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
Anything Reese’s is always a plus.
About Scott Clark
Trouble Maker's Library 