Interview

The Writer's Room Interview by Pamela James

TWR: Larry, tell us how you became an author?

Actually, I've been writing 30-second novellas ever since I graduated from Michigan State University with a masters degree in advertising. They're called commercials. With every second worth...say, $20,000 to $30,000 you'd be surprised at the discipline that kind of writing teaches you. Oh, while I was still a copywriter creating Schlitz Beer ads, I wrote 400 or 500 pages of a typical young writer's angst novel, but that's still in an apartment closet somewhere in Chicago. Years later, when I was creative director for Grey Advertising's two offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, I had a chance to broaden my horizons, writing the lyrics for the songs featured in Australia's first feature length animated film, and writing and producing a television special. I also wrote my first book of poetry while I was Downunder. Still later, as a marketing executive with the Walt Disney Company, I had the opportunity to write several film treatments.

So, I guess it was just a natural process. Once I retired, and had more time to devote to it, writing a novel was the obvious challenge.

TWR: Tell us about your book and where the idea came from because it is a rather unique idea.

How it came to be is also rather unique. For, I was writing another book altogether. I was several chapters into a Fantasy/Thriller that brings an historical figure into the present, and was talking to a friend, Marty Cummins, about it. He knew that I had worked for Disney and he was a rabid Disney fan. We both knew about the urban legend that Walt Disney didn't die, but was in cryonic suspension somewhere. Marty said, "Why don't you bring Walt back?" And I said, "You know what? That's a hell of an idea!"

And that's why Marty Cummins is credited on the cover of Waking Walt.

TWR: How long does it take you to write a book?

I certainly hope it doesn't take as long to write the second one as it did the first. With the research, writing and editing, Waking Walt was six years in the making.

I can credit a large portion of that time to my style of writing. I have to get it right before I can go on, which means agonizing over every word as I write. Then, I go back over it the next morning, and sometimes start over. It's certainly not the quickest way to write a book, but it's the only way I know how. I can't concentrate on the next paragraph until I'm satisfied with the last one.

TWR: What type of writing schedule do you have?

When I'm writing I stay fairly close to the same schedule every day. I get up around 7am, have breakfast (always low fat yogurt, a banana, juice, and hot green tea), and walk Samson, our 90 lb German Shepherd/Pit Bull mix--although it's a toss-up as to who is walking whom. Then, I go into the den to the computer.

I edit what I wrote the preceding day, and try to make some forward progress until Noon. I take an hour's break for lunch and then continue writing until about 4pm. That's martini time. As Harry Poole, a character in Waking Walt, is wont to say, "The sun is over the yardarm somewhere."

TWR: What is the best and worst part of writing the book?

That depends on what day you ask me. Most days, I'd have to say the best part is doing the research. That's when the story plays out in my head, when I can practically see it happening. Then, there are those days when I manage to produce a really good paragraph or two. Not much beats that for putting a smile on my face. And don't forget that last day, when you type THE END, at least in your mind. That's the best.

The worst part? Laying awake at night re-writing and re-writing that paragraph I managed to produce during the day. And then dreaming about it. However, that's where some of my best ideas have come from. It's amazing what the unconscious mind can do!

TWR: What comes next in 2003?

Two things. First, I'm spending a lot of time marketing Waking Walt, both on the Internet and through traditional means--newspaper reviews, television interviews, book signings, speaking engagements, etc.

Secondly, I'm working on my first novel. The one I was well into before Marty Cummins brought up Walt Disney. As I said earlier, it's a fantasy/thriller that brings an historical character back to the present. The title is Future King. If anyone is looking for a hint, I direct them to T.H. White's wonderful novel, The Once and Future King.

TWR: What advice do you have for the novice wanna be writer trying to break into becoming an author?

I don't think there's anything magic about it. Authors everywhere seem to recommend the same thing: write. And read. I suppose it doesn't hurt to take some writing classes, but you have to be careful that you're not being ripped off. Make sure the people you're taking classes from are reputable. I'd recommend looking into a community college curriculum. Most cities of any size have a CC. Still, the key is to write. And read every thing you can get your hands on in the genre in which you want to write.

TWR: Are there days when the words won't come? What then?

Sure. I think every author has those times when, for one reason or another, the creative stream gets clogged up. When that happens I usually do research, either on the current project or one I'm planning for the future. That often clears the boulders. If it doesn't, I take a long lunch with a friend, and the day's not wasted.

TWR: When it comes to authors, who do you read?

These days a lot of people say they read everything. I think I was doing that before it was fashionable, ever since I was in college. For example, sitting here in my den (aka library) I can see books by Asimov, Heller, and Crichton, Grafton, Ludlum, Koontz, Herbert, and Mark Twain. There are also a number of Mary Stewart's and John D. MacDonald's novels, biographies of John Adams, Winston Churchill, and Jack Kennedy, and the latest thriller from Jack Higgins. On the bed table, as I recall, are Dick Francis and James Patterson and Steve Allen. I think you get the idea. But I would make this additional point for people who want to become authors--the more you can stuff into your brain, the more you will have to work with when developing your stories.

TWR: Leave us with some writing words of wisdom.

Something I picked up from the advertising business as well as Ernest Hemmingway: When in doubt, leave it out.

And a couple of quotes from Mark Twain, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." And this other one I love about editing your work; "If I had had more time, I would have written less."

TWR: how might everyone buy your book and or contact you?

Waking Walt can be purchased online at iUniverse.com, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, borders.com and Walmart.com. It can also be ordered through most brick and mortar bookstores. Just give them this ISBN number: 059525425X. I can be reached through the Waking Walt website at http//:www.wakingwalt.com

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