|
Barry Melton |
|
Barry’s 18Q |
|
The Eighteen Questions |
|
18Q |
|
Former Marine Corps journalist, currently working freelance |
|
Bibliography |
|
URL |
|
Nominate us as a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Web Site.
Email: writersdig@fwpubs.com with as the subject. |
|
The Eighteen Questions and 18Q are trademarks of Fabulist Flash Publishing.
This website, The Eighteen Questions, and 18Q are part of
The Fabulist Flash Publishing Family |
|
1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? I was running out of options in a small town in Northeast Florida I decided to join the Marines. I chose writing as a career field because I knew I didn't want to do anything else in the Corps. I mean, there's not much of a civilian job market for rifleman or tank driver. I was horrible when I first started writing. For two years, I was yelled at, firmly coached and I did more pushups than the law should allow. I made it through hell and ended up being named the 1998 Marine Corps Print Journalist of the Year. I left the Corps in 2003, and I currently don't have a job in writing, but I continue to write.
2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) Defense Information School, Ft Meade, MD. I completed the basic print and broadcast courses, as well as the editors course. I also did 2 years at Chaminade University in Hawaii, but I never finished my degree.
3. When did you 'know' you were a writer? When people wanted me to coach writers instead of be a writer.
4. How would you describe your style of writing? First of all, I try to write common. I don't need to use big words to look smart. I mean, most people are educated beyond their own intelligence levels anyway. I love writing commentaries. I'll tackle any subject, from the Don Imus circus earlier this year to why I think space travel is stupid. I know I'm not a poet or a fiction writer. I just write about what goes on around me.
5. What is your writing process? I just do it. There's not much to it. I do talk to myself while I write. People think I sound crazy.
6. What was your path to publication? I was published in military newspapers and websites.
7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? I don't know. I don't get paid to write, so I don't guess I'm qualified to answer that question.
8. What are the biggest surprises you've encountered as a writer? I love the people I've met. I love their stories and I feel honored to present these pieces of people's lives to my readers.
9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? I look to the events around me to find material to write about. If I think MySpace is ridiculous, I'll write about it. If I think the president is screwing up, I'll write about it. I write to get the frustrations of life off my chest.
10. What is your proudest writer moment? Knowing that people enjoy what I write. Who am I? I'm just another schmuck like everyone else. When someone gets a laugh or some insight about something I bang out, that justifies your hard work. I think that's what it's all about.
11. What's the best advice you were given about writing? The first hard and fast rule of writing: There are no hard and fast rules of writing.
12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? The first two years.
13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? None. I do it for free as a hobby.
14. What is your writer life philosophy? Follow your heart and passion at all costs.
15. When you're not writing what do you do for fun? I kill kittens and steal car stereos. Oh, I also like spending time with my children, playing sports, and playing guitar.
16. Who do you like to read? No one in particular.
17. What’s your advice for new writers? Listen to what people are telling you and read as much as you can within your genre.
18. What are you currently working on? I want to be a sports columnist. That's my next goal. I want to quit my day job and be a columnist. |
