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The
ShatterColors
Standard Interview
-- Author Version:
George
Fosty
(10/2010)
(Interview
consists of 15
pre-set questions.
Authors have published
at least one novel
or short story/poetry
collection.)
1) Why did you
begin writing,
and how long have
you been doing
so?
I
first began writing
in the late 1970's
in an attempt
to record my personal
experiences. I
was fascinated
by the world around
me and the people
I met. I wanted
to record their
stories. I never
thought that it
would lead to
a career as a
writer. During
the 1980's I had
a number of my
railroad poems
published in magazines,
mostly in the
United States.
This modest success
gave me the confidence
to continue writing.
Ironically, most
of my poems sat
on a shelf for
thirty-years until
the release of
Short Lines.
2)
What does your
writing routine
consist of?
I
spend a great
deal of time researching
and studying my
subjects before
I write on them.
I never write
on topics or individuals
that I have not
spend a great
deal of time studying.
3)
Have specific
events ever flung
you into an extended
and productive
period of creativity?
As
I get older, and
come to the realization
that every day
is special and
that no one is
guaranteed tomorrow,
I find that I
have become more
fixated with efforts
to complete my
projects faster
and in a more
timely fashion.
I sometimes feel
that I am writing
against the clock,
and that I have
only a limited
amount of time
to get my histories
and writings out.
It is almost a
fatalistic perspective
on life.
4)
What are common
sources of inspiration?
I
am inspired by
those around me.
I also believe
that the greatest
stories have yet
to be written.
It is this inspiration
and belief that
drives me forward
in terms of life
and writings.
5)
What does a book
need to do to
get you to read
it from beginning
to end?
A
book has to be
written from the
heart in order
for me to read
it front to back.
I am not one to
read manufactured,
boilerplate, books.
I need to see
substance and
thought interwined
with persoanl
perspective.
6)
Who are some of
the authors you
most admire?
The
authors I admire
the most are Nordhoff
and Hall, the
great writing
team of the 1920's
and 1930s who
gave us Pitcairn's
Island, Mutiny
On The Bounty,
and other great
South Seas adventure
stories. I appreciate
what they have
produced as a
team and feel
inspired by their
works. I write
histories with
my brother, Darril,
and I am well
aware of the difficulties
writers face when
it comes to working
as a team. It
is very difficult
to write as a
team and to do
so successfully.
It is also very
inspiring.
7)
How familiar are
you with the literary
canon?
In
terms of a literary
canon, I would
say that my most
detailed knowledge
and background
training I have
would be in the
literary works
of American and
British writers
from the 1880s-1930s
period. I find
that this period
in writing was
the most profound,
understated, and
important in modern
times. I find
myself constantly
reflecting back
on the works of
Joseph Conrad,
Herman Melville
and others. These
individuals incorporated
life experiences
into their writings
and I find that
this first-hand
knowledge made
their works timeless.
8)
What's your take
on politics and
literary endeavor?
I
have very little
respect for modern
politicians and
politics. Many
of these people
are shallow and
unintelligent.
They remind me
of spoiled brats
or idiots. They
are limited in
their ideas and
perspective on
life. You do not
have to be smart
to be a politican.
It requires no
training or expertise.
It is one of the
few professions
where the idiots
can succeed. Politics
and Literature
do not mix. Politics
breeds hatred
and greed. Literature
is designed to
inform and educate.
9)
What are your
feelings about
formal vs. free
verse?
I
like both forms.
It is the message
that is important,
not the style.
10)
Do you feel "flash"
fiction (300 words
or less) is a
viable form, or
nothing more than
a writing exercise?
Flash
fiction has a
place. I am particularly
appreciative of
its use in the
area of humor
and commercialism.
11)
When not writing,
what do you do
for amusement?
I
have a busy life.
When I am not
writing or working
in the publishing
industry, I spend
most of my time
with my family.
Family is the
most important
aspect of my life.
My family keeps
me grounded and
in perspective.
Otherwise, I would
be totally absorbed
in my writing
and career.
12)
What's one of
the most annoying
things you can
think of?
I
am totally disgusted
with television
programming and
modern news reporting.
I believe that
television and
modern news, especially
cable news, dumbies-down
individuals and
distorts reality.
People need to
shut off their
televisions and
read more books.
13)
Briefly describe
what you consider
to be one of your
standout childhood
pranks.
I
was never one
to orchestrate
pranks on others.
As a child, I
was often the
victim of bullying
and found that
pranks were often
the work or those
who wanted to
embarass or degrade
someone.
14)
What are your
upcoming projects/works
in progress?
I
am currently working
on three books.
Two are American
soccer, and the
other is a World
War II history.
15)
Care to conclude
with a sweeping
philosophical
statement?
Truth
is the greatest
threat to the
status-quo. If
people want change,
they need to seek
truth.
_______________
The
ShatterColors
Standard Interview
-- Author Version
©
2006 by Robert
Scott Leyse
George
Fosty Responses
© 2010 by
George
Fosty
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