Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Interview with Author Brent A. Harris




Brent A. Harris
Twenty Nine Palms, California



Welcome to Vision and Verse, the place for Art and Authors, Brent. Can you tell us a little about what you've written?
Though I’m rather decent at writing words, I’m less proficient at stringing them together to form sentences. Nevertheless, I seemed to have stumbled into several short stories, mostly with a little help from friends. I can’t emphasis that enough. Have a support group! You can find the majority of my work published in anthologies through Inklings Press, who is not only the publisher for my short stories, but my friends.

What is your favorite genre to write?
Alternate History and science fiction are my recreational methods of escaping reality, but I’ve dabbled in some other things. I… I don’t like to talk about it.

Favorite food.
Anything not cooked by me.

Are you related to my husband? That is his favorite food, too!
Tea or coffee?
The tea got dumped in the Harbor and I don’t as of yet understand the Language of the Coffee Machine. I drink pre-chilled energy drinks. Pop a tab and guzzle. Repeat as needed

Pizza or ice cream?
Why not both? (just not ON the pizza). Seriously, pizza and ice cream are the base of my personal food pyramid.

Wine or beer?
Rum and Vodka

Where would you like to visit?
The Cretaceous

Isn't that a small, crusty animal like a lobster? Favorite musical artist.  Do you listen to music when you write?  What?
Lindsey Stirling. She’s my muse when my other muse isn’t looking (sorry, wifey). And I’m into movie/tv scores. Anything done by: Bear McCreary, John Williams, Danny Elfman, Klaus Baldet, James Horner, Hans Zimmer, just to name a few!

What makes you laugh?
A rousing game of Cards Against Humanity. Also, British People

Favorite work of art or sculpture.
Apparently, I’m an uncultured swine. I have no idea.

This is a blog about Art and Authors, so I am obliged to ask. Do not feel bad. How old were you when you started writing?
My 9 year old found a piece of writing from when I was 9. She corrected my grammar.

Describe your perfect evening.
Binging a season on Netflix. Reading a good book. Going out to a midnite showing of the newest comic book movie. I prefer to be alone or with a crowd that shares similar interests.

Where do you get your inspiration?
As Jack Kerouac might say in a drunken stupor: Living. At no time am I ever not thinking about something I should probably write down.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?
Write. There is no such thing as writer’s block. Even if it’s painful, even if it’s not what you sat down to write. Writing is work.

Who is your favorite author?
At the risk of sounding cliché, Tolkien and GRR Martin, and from the television/movie script scene, Joss Whedon.

Best book you ever read.
I love fiction for fun, but non-fiction sticks with me more. My favorite books to read are actually references about how to improve my writing. Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages is probably one I’ve worn out by re-reading.

I've not heard of that one. I'll add it to my eading list. Last book you read.
The Art of Comics, by Scott McCloud. Technically, I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m assuming I will by the time the article runs. So far, my mind has been blown by some of the seemingly obvious revelations about why symbolism and iconography are so important to story-telling and the structure of stories themselves.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
I was a retail manager for 14 years. Now, I drink heavily. Remember folks, correlation is not causation. But you can draw your own conclusions.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
I honestly have no idea who I wouldn’t put down here. Everyone I’ve ever met has influenced me in some way, conscious or unconsciously. You guys are all important. Really, I’m just standing on all your shoulders, in the same way that I hope I’ve let others hop onto mine.


If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
It truly would be Joss Whedon of Buffy the Vampire fame. And I wouldn’t talk. I’d just swoon and listen. I’d learn more from him about writing over lunch than I would in a lifetime of study.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Develop thick skin and buckle up for the long haul. It’s as terrifying and painful as it is rewarding and fun. Even though I don’t feel as I’m in a position to give advice, I will mention one thing that was important for me: find friends who share your passion as much as you and who are better writers than you. It’s the only way you’ll keep going and get better.

Do you have some links for us to follow you?
Author Links





4 comments:

  1. Thank you, Carol for allowing me the privelage to invade your wonderful art and writing blog! It was a fantastic experience!

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  2. A good chat to eavesdrop on! And I'm not just saying that as one of Brent's minions ;)

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    Replies
    1. Really? I could have sworn it was the other way around!

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  3. Brent, it was my pleasure to introduce you to my readers. I have a feeling we'll be hearing more about you. And Leo, come back to eavesdrop anytime.
    Hugs,
    Carol

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