Four years ago, I did a Q&A for the Behind the Cut episode for “Geocached.”

No idea why I’ve not done another, but with this being the long time between episodes (after back-to-back stories last November and December), it seemed like a good time to do another.

I asked members of the Not About Lumberjacks Patreon for questions — as well as some questions from social media. These were the results:

• Are there any limitations that frustrate you about stories you would like to tell? Whether it’s your technical skills or the medium itself (obviously it’s audio, so you can’t use visual effects etc that sort of thing where you find yourself thinking “if only I could ___, I would be able to tell this story the way I want to”).
• Are there styles or types of stories you wish you were able to write?
• At what point did you realize you had found your voice/style, and how much of it stays solidly “you” as you go from serious to goofy stories.
• What’s the longest you sat on a story for Not About Lumberjacks?
• Any stories you refuse to abandon because there’s got to be some kind of conclusion to it somewhere, and the plot is too cool to walk away?
• Might be a bit personal, but is Not About Lumberjacks breaking even? Losing money, Because I never did a podcast, I don’t know the finances of having one.
• Did you know Dave Pettitt before reaching out to him about narrating? Did he know (or know of) you and Not About Lumberjacks?
• What is the favorite thing you’ve written that is the least liked by other people and why do you think that disconnect happened?
• Which story surprised you the most that became a fan favorite – why do you think it was so popular with your listeners?
• Between seminars, writing courses, writing groups, etc., what do you think has helped you improve the most as a writer?
• How do ideas for stories come to you? Do you randomly say something like, “I want to write about this kind of guy who lives in this kind of setting and has this unusual thing about him,” and then fill in? Or does some small thought catch you and you turn it into a story? Or what other ways?

Links to people and things mentioned in the Q&A:

• Dave Pettitt
• William J. Meyer
• Rick Coste
• Clarke Jaxton Motorbike
• The Sula Society
• The Not About Lumberjacks Patreon

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS