Hello guys welcome to my blog I am so thankful for each of you that took the time out of their day to read this. So, a few days ago I reached out to Ivan Scott author of the book Redhead in a blue convertible and he agreed to give me an interview for my blog being an aspiring writer myself i felt that there was a lot of value in this and hoped to share this with you guys so here are the answers he gave.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I had the itch for as long as I can remember. There was one day in the 3rd grade when we were supposed to write a story and I based mine off of what was going on in the classroom.
I have always had a thing for looking at life and creating a story about it. No matter if I am driving around Atlanta and see all the tall buildings and think about the people who work there and who they are and what their lives are like, or being in an airport or mall and people watch and wonder who they are, where they are going and why.
Every person and place has a story and that is something all writers have their radar tuned to.
How long did it take you to write your book?
As strange as it sounds, it took me four months to write but the real work came in the edits and re-writes. I had a limited budget (Um…zero budget) so I could not afford a professional editor to read my full manuscript since that would have been thousands of dollars, so I researched a Plan B which turned out to be what is called Beta Readers.
Beta Readers read your manuscript for free. You usually trade with them so you help each other out, and they point out grammar, plot holes and other things you need that a professional editor does.
I finished writing at the end of February, then took the spring and summer to edit it, then do an audio book, which I read and edited myself, and it was finally ready in October so it was about a year process.
What was your work schedule like when you were writing?
It was difficult since I work full-time and have a family. I would write at night when the kids were asleep, or I would wake up at four or five in the morning since that was one of the few times the house was quiet and I could concentrate.
It was important I carried a pen and paper with me no matter where I was so if I had a free moment, or if an idea came into my head, I could write it down.
Another thing that added to time management is I am Dyslexic. It takes me a little longer to write and make the sentences make sense, but the good thing is having this condition brings more creativity to the process so I don’t look at this as a challenge, but a strength. I think with all things that can be looked at as a weakness, we can always turn them into strengths.
Did your childhood have any effect on you discovering your passion for writing or affect your writing in any way ?
As mentioned earlier, my childhood was the start of my passion for writing, but it wasn’t anything traumatic took me down this road.
As I look back on life, my childhood does effect my writing since I have the wisdom of age and experience to look back on those innocent days and wonder how life has changed me.
I think with everyone as we grow older, it hits us that time has passed and we are no longer the person we once were. The other thing is it dawns on us all that life always moves forward, never backward and once it has passed, you never get that time back.
This fact has always intrigued me, and that’s one of the themes of Redhead, that life passes all of us, and we have to appreciate and savoir it because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
Where did you get the idea for your book from?
I read a story about an older woman who called a Taxi late at night. When the driver arrived she had her bags packed and looked like she was going on a trip.
The driver assumed she was going to the airport and was surprised when the lady asked to go to some places around town, like an old school, a dance hall and a church and cemetery.
The trip lasted late into the night and the lady told the driver where to go since it was their last stop. They pulled up to an assisted living facility, and the lady got out, took her bags, thanked the driver and went inside, knowing she was never coming out, but was happy she got to see all the places that were special to her before she did.
It got me to thinking where would I go and who would I see if I had one day to do it. That was the inspiration behind Redhead, and that was a man had one day to see and do everything he loved so he savored every moment, knowing it would be his last.
What was the thing that annoyed you the most during the time you were writing your book?
Seeing typos after I had reviewed a paragraph with a fine toothed comb! Haha
I also think that when I would get into a good writing groove and then something would pop up, like the kids fighting, or the dog needing to be taken out, or I had fatherly/husband duties.
What is your favorite book that you have read?
It would have to be The Old Man and the Sea. I know it is not a favorite of some, but it hit home with me since it dealt with someone who knew his best days had passed, but was having one last moment in the sun.
On the non-fiction side, Franklin and Winston is a favorite. It looks at the relationship FDR and Winston had during WW2 and how it evolved. I was surprised to learn it was not always harmonious, especially when Stalin came on the scene.
Do you think writer’s block is real?
I respect those who believe it is real, but for me, it doesn’t exist.
With Writer’s Block, sure, there are times when I cannot think of an idea that makes sense or is compelling, but sooner or later it comes, so I don’t fear it.
When I get stuck, I will walk outside and get away from my laptop and the story. Or I go people watching. I might see two people holding hands and think of what their story could be and the creative process is born. Then, I can come back to the original story and attack it.
Besides, if I cannot add to my story, I’ll just begin writing something else. Eventually, the creative juices begin flowing and I can get back to it.
I often use Hemingway’s strategy of not finishing a chapter or an idea. I leave it open, so when I begin writing the next time, I have something to build on, instead of starting cold.
What was your hardest scene to write in the book and why?
I think the scene when Sarah’s Mom disowns her. I even teared up a little reading the words because they were so real, so raw, and I could never imagine saying that to my children.
Who were your childhood icons?
My childhood heroes were all athletes since I grew up playing sports.
Lou Gehrig, the Yankees star who dies of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease as it was called, is still one of my favorites due to the way he dealt with the illness and remained stoic and classy through it all.
Tips for young authors out there who might be reading this?
The biggest thing is to have fun and enjoy the ride. Writing and telling the world a story is a wonderful experience and knowing you have created something that will last a lifetime, even after your time on Earth has ended, is something that nobody can ever take away from you.
But also remember that success will never be given to you. Everything you get, you will have to earn. Sooner or later, life is going to smack you in the mouth. When it does, don’t worry about it.
You will get rejected, you will face adversity, you will doubt yourself, but never give up.
If you have to stop for a day, then do so. Then wake up the next morning, take a deep breath and say, “Today is a new day. And I am a day closer to living my dream.” Get back on your feet and keep chasing your dream.
So that is it for this post hope you guys enjoyed and got a lot of value out of this. You can DM Ivan on his Instagram @author.ivan.scott for any more questions. Be sure to hit me up on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram with what you learned from this and what value you got also I am open to suggestions as to what I should write next so you can text me that. I’ll see you guys in the next blog post.
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