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‘Ask Me’ No. 4
Posted in Ask Charles on Fri, March 26, 2010
A few of the questions I’ve received lately:
Q: You have said before that you are an introvert. How does that affect you as a professional writer?
A: I’m pretty happy sitting right here. Coming out of my shell is a purposeful act. Interacting in public takes energy. Note: that’s not bad and it’s not like I dread it, not at all, it just zaps me. Writing charges my batteries. Public stuff (appearances) drains them. It took me a while to figure this out…
I’d go to a signing or festival or school and leave just absolutely exhausted. Christy came back to the hotel room after a long day at a festival and found me in bed with the covers over my head. “You okay?” I nodded. I love speaking, talking about books etc., I just have to be careful not to stack too many ‘public times’ on top of each other. Hence, book tours are grueling. What do I do to survive? I run a lot. I book hotels with fitness centers. I write some but writing a book while on tour is not always the best situation. Watch movies. Read books. Quiet stuff that usually just involves me.
Q: I was just wondering, how do you get started? I always tend to come up with ideas to write, but once I get to the actual writing stuff I don’t know how to begin?
A: Good question. It’s tough. Everyday starts with a white page. Today included. Books don’t write themselves so we have to pick an entry. I heard somebody say once, “Write the word ‘the’ and the hard part is over. Now, you’ve started. Keep going.” It’s true but possibly not the best advice. The thing that I do is remind myself that whatever I’m writing is not set in stone. I can cut and paste. Move it around. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time around. (It never is.) Reminding myself of that, gives me the freedom to mess up. Having the freedom to mess up, also means I have the freedom to not mess up, to nail it, to write something that sings. Occasionally, that happens. ;-)
Q: Any plans to visit the netherlands in the near future, to sign one of your translated books ‘rimpelingen’ (when crickets cry), ‘sporen’ (chasing fireflies) or ‘uit de diepten’ (the dead don’t dance)? You also have fans overseas!
A: Thanks. I’d love to. Now we just have to talk my publisher into sending me. ‘Where the River Ends’ ended up in about 13 countries at last count and maybe 8 or so languages. ‘The Mountain Between Us’ is already in 8 countries. I say this because it amazes me, like no kidding really blows me away, that somebody in some other country, in some other language, is reading a story I wrote in this shed. I look at the translations and scratch my head. I have no idea what it says but I’m told it’s my book and that other people who don’t speak my language are reading the story that I wrote. That’s one of the crazy cool things about language.
Q: Was wondering if any of your books are series or are they all single books? The dead don’t dance, Maggie and Wrapped in Rain are the main ones I was wondering about.
A: The only two connected in that way are ‘The Dead Don’t Dance’ and ‘Maggie.’ All the rest are stand along. And, for that matter, for Dance and Maggie can stand alone but Maggie probably means more if you read Dance first.
I live in Winter Haven, Fl. so anywhere close would be great , maybe Lakeland...Thanks
It would be great if you could come to Dayton, Ohio. My book club would love to see you.
How about Alpharetta, Georgia? I just finished ‘The Dead Don’t Dance’ and loved it!
Are your pictures labeled “Trail West” from Young Life’s Trail West? Young Life is dear to my heart. I met Christ because of my stay at Young Life’s Frontier Ranch in 1964. I can still get excited talking about that week at camp!
Charles I just met you recently at the BOOKMARK at the beach . I truly enjoyed your reading of THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US. I had you sign it and you were so easy to talk with, so relaxed . I just finished my first novel and it came out about two weeks ago. I had been so busy writing it and now that it is out and I have had one book signing. I feel like I can take a little time to relax, so reading your book has really been a treat for me. So nice to just sit and read. If you remember I was in line when a lady screamed out her husband’s name JACK just as I started to say your name I called you JACK. I was so embarrassed but you seemed to take it well, and smile. Thanks . RUN WITH ME was so meaningful . Again, your book is a wonderful novel. Sincerely, Sue Wells Kirwan
Hi - I have your book on hold at my local library - it has been there since the end of May. So far the library (King County Library, Seattle, WA) has not order or received your new book. Have you run out of books? I email the library and so far, I have not heard back from them. Sure wish they would get their “skates” on!!!!
Sir, I didn’t see a place to comment on your newest book “The Mountain Between Us”, so you go then. I just finished it, and I am still a total fan of all of your books. I couldn’t put it down. And, Wow!, what an ending - or should I say three endings. Thank you for using your giftedness in such a meaningful way. I would encourage you to just keep getting those occasional rejection slips if books like this can be the result. God bless you with long life, happiness, and many more stories to tell.
PS: the little girl singing Amazing Grace was wonderful. Thank you for leading me to her and to Vince Gill and his song through your web log.