By popular demand, here’s the unedited version of the interview.
[Edit jan 8, 2010 - don't know why this link was broken. It's fixed now.]
Share and Enjoy!
6 Responses to David Drake Interview Unedited
Subscribe!
ISBW Endorsed Programs
New from the Murverse- ISBW Special #46 – Stonecoast Writer’s Residency January 31, 2012
- ISBW #230 – Feedback January 30, 2012
- Short Story Alert- Gimme Shelter January 27, 2012
Mur,
Thanks!
I really enjoyed what you had on the feed already, and I am really looking forward to this. No offense to the other authors you have had on, but I really like what Mr. Drake had to say.
I have to say, my FAV author interview yet, or should I say, An Interview of Mur Laferty? LOL
Nice interview, both ways. You know, about five people have told me how David Drake is a local in the last few months. I totally need to check the stalking laws in this state before I hide in a tree near the post office.
Have just begun this interview and find your supposition that you want to be a writer peculiar. In fact the very small understanding of your bibliography (non-fiction book, RPG contributions, freelance articles) indicate that you are in fact a writer. You’re a writer if you say you are, aren’t you? It seems to me that if you continue with this mental block “I ‘want’ to be a writer”, you might never actually become one.
Hi Mur,
I’ve been listening to your podcast off and on for a while and must say that I particularly enjoyed the David Drake interview, for several reasons.
I began sending out SF stories in the early 70′s and I have a few rejection slips from Ben Bova and others who were editing during the 70′s, so I can relate to what you, Mr. Drake and other beginning writers all go through.
I also liked the discussion of why and how writers do what they do, especially in a genre we like.
My personal belief, which is backed up by just asking people how they came to be doing what they do for a living, is that few people plan their life and few ultimately are able to do what they love and make a living.
Life happens and people find themselves doing something to make a living, which becomes a career. Once in a while great writers emerge who are just trying to put bread on the table.
I think some writers set out to make a career much as people set out to become a good doctor, photographer, etc.
I also view writing as means of artistic expression, and certainly short-story writing is a lot like trying to master water color painting.
It takes a while to master the medium, and you need a combination of technical competence, inspiration, creative vision, artistic style and a good sense of color to bring a still life or landscape to life.
I guess I am trying to say that writers have different motivations for what they do.
I’ll close with three comments:
1) you write and you have published, so you are a writer. End of discussion.
2) Making a living at writing full time is just a matter of scale and if it’s a personal goal great, but being a part-time writer in no way diminishes you.
3) Getting into writing is very inexpensive, as far as businesses or careers go (if you don’t count student loans, postage and having to hire someone to fix the leaky toilet because you have to finish an article to meet a deadline).
I’m looking forward to more interviews and insight, and who knows, maybe I’ll get inspired and send something off to Analog, now that Ben Bova is busy with his planet series.
I just listened to this podcast. One thing that struck me was the parallel between the conversation about “be a writer, or be known as a writer” and the later comments about reading (or not reading) reviews. It occurs to me that, in Drake’s estimation, the writer would not have interest in reading reviews because the writer is doing this for themself–not others (or, at least, the feelings and opinions of others are of little importance in the creative decisions.) On the other hand, someone who wants to be perceived as a writer–that is, defined as a writer by those who define such things–would be someone who wrote for a specific audience; in this case, the audience of critical reviewers of literature.
This is not to say that you cannot be both. It’s entirely possible to write what you like and tailor your writing to an audience; take your stories and your work where you think people want to go, rather than where you yourself want to go.
The unedited version does not seem to be available any longer…is it archived somewhere else? The edited version is fascinating (and there are dang few interviews with Drake around), so I’d like to hear the full version.