ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bio | Interview | Photos

Q: When did you start writing?

A: My first story, written in third grade and evidently inspired by the science fiction I was already reading, involves space aliens and third-graders; it ends, classically, with “. . . it was all a dream!” Whatever my parents thought (I believe they were polite), this marked the beginning of an impressively low rate of production: approximately one story every five years. In high school I received an encouraging letter of rejection. I finally started writing in a serious way in the late 90’s, and selling my first story in 2000 made the decision to quit my day job and stay home with our new baby rather easier. (I should note that my wife’s willingness to continue working full-time also played a part in that decision.)

Q: Why do you write?

A: Sometimes, not often, I re-read something I’ve written, and it’s perfect – description, tone, characters coming alive. Such moments are rare, but they seem to provide much of the motivation. The other reward is hearing from readers that they enjoyed a story. Knowing that you can create a scene or a character or a description from nothing but imagination, and have it deeply affect other people, is surprisingly powerful.

Q: What are your work habits?

A: Up every day at 4:00 a.m., to write 2,000 words before the kids get up at six . . . only kidding! It was easy with only one child: I would take an afternoon nap when she did, and then I could stay up late, writing after everyone went to sleep. Now with two, it’s harder. Nine-to-eleven at night is the only solid block of time available, so I use that for first drafts. Editing, research and so forth I cram in when I can. If I get a few hundred words written, that’s a good day.

Q: Your writing is exceptionally detailed. How do you do the research?

A: The usual: read lots of books (with close attention to bibliography), the internet, and phone calls. My fundamental intent is the appearance of authenticity, though, so sometimes I just make stuff up. Readers who know more than I do about particular topics are always calling me on this blunder or that.

Q: Where do you get your ideas?

A: Like everyone else, I wish I knew. I read widely, and now and then something will just . . . pop up. Then I have to let it rumble around, until an “aha” moment arrives, and I suddenly see a storyline, or a motive, or a character coming to life. There’s no spigot for inspiration, unfortunately. On the other hand, now that I’ve been writing for several years, it becomes a little easier – I can only hope that, like any craft, you improve with practice.

Q: How did you get published?

A: Not every novelist starts with short stories, but it worked for me. I found the format to be good training, and a track record helped me catch the eye of agents, when it came time to shop the first novel. If you’re looking for advice, besides the usual “write what you like, and keep writing,” I would add, “don’t ever pay for publication.” Contest entrance fees, book doctors, POD setups, whatever – the rule is, you get paid, not the other way around.

Q: What’s next?

A: For years I’ve wanted to write a novel set in Siberia during the Russian Civil War, but I seem to have researched myself into creative paralysis, the fiction author’s equivalent of all-but-dissertation. Japan remains interesting, and I hope that Sakonju can someday make the leap to a book-length story. Meanwhile, I’m working on a new novel.

Q: So how do you pronounce your name, anyway?

A: “WHY-sek.” My grandfather emigrated from Poland around 1915. (My father once asked him why, hoping for a story of fleeing the Austro-Hungarian secret police or some such, and he answered, “I wanted to wear shoes in the winter.”) Anyway, this was how he anglicized his name, which was spelled the same but pronounced rather differently in Polish.

Press kit photos are available here.