Photo Credit: Jim C. Hines
When did you start writing?
I kind of dabbled a little bit in middle school, mostly putting down ideas rather than fully fleshed out stories. I didn’t actually start writing seriously until my senior year in high school. That would have been 1998/99. It didn’t become a full-time job until 2005 when my first son was born and I became a stay-at-home dad.
What was your first piece of writing (Poem, short story, etc) and do you still have it?
Probably the first significant piece of writing I did was a one-page “treatment” describing a battle that set the tone for the story that would eventually become “Vengeance for My Valentine,” my fourth published novel. To my surprise, I actually DO still have it. I came across it in an old binder while going through some things a couple years back. I stuck it in my filing cabinet along with my early manuscripts and rejection letters.
What author inspires you to continue writing?
Robert A. Heinlein has always been a major inspiration and influence on me, especially his earlier juvenile novels. I like my sci-fi to be both exciting and funny, so Robert Sheckley is also a huge inspiration; I keep a book of Sheckley's short stories on my nightstand. More recently, though, I’d have to say Martha Wells. I adore her “Murderbot” series, and I could only dream of writing combat scenes as well as she does.
(Upcoming release slated for Spring 2023)
In your words, what is your writing style like?
Very cinematic and dialogue-driven. I tend to focus a lot on characterization. If I had to identify a weakness in my writing, it would probably be narrative. Perhaps I should give first-person perspective a try for my next new project.
How do you get into a creative mindset?
Music is an absolute must. I can’t write in silence. The genre changes depending on what I’m writing. For my current science fiction project, I’ve been listening to a lot of synthwave artists like Scandroid, Essenger, Dreamkid, and Pylot. If I’m doing horror, I’ll listen to lots of metal or atmospheric music like Midnight Syndicate. If I’m working on a Weller story, my playlist is loaded with classic rock and slide guitar.
I tend to work best at night and away from my desk. I write almost exclusively on my iPad these days, usually with a pit bull or two snuggled up to me.
For an aspiring writer, what would you tell them?
I often jokingly say, “Get out while you still can!” But seriously, I strongly advise aspiring writers to seek out other writers, as well as editors and even literary agents. Attend fan conventions and conferences, join a critique group, and build your network. Learn from your peers and pros in the field.
Probably just as (if not more) important, writers need strong, supportive relationships, whether it’s friends, family, or their significant other(s). I’ve seen a few marriages end because a spouse didn’t have enough patience or belief in their writer partner. People LOVE to talk behind an artist’s back, and artists tend to have their work rejected more often than it’s accepted. It can weigh heavily on a person’s mind, body, and soul. My advice to the loved ones of aspiring artists in any medium is to be their cornerman, pump them up, and encourage them to keep creating.
In a Death Star trench run what 3 songs are you blasting in your X-Wing?
“The Red Baron” by Sabaton
“Starlight Brigade” by TWRP (feat. Dan Avidan)
“Turbo Killer” by Carpenter Brut
Where can we find you?
You can find my official website and blog at http://www.adamjwhitlatch.com, and everything else about me at https://linktr.ee/adamjwhitlatch.
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