An In Depth Interview with Author Charles B. Cross
What were you like at school?
-I was always quiet with my nose in a book. Age brought with it the normal developmental interests. I still kept my books even when faced with the hurricane of hormones adolescence brings.
Were you good at English?
-I don’t think any writer can deny their relationship with words: their meanings and arrangements. It was my favorite subject. I did well in English. I wish I could say the same for Math. Ugh.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
-In my youth, I wanted the written word to unravel my true character to the world before it was too late. I was a wallflower who feared he would die without anyone knowing who he was, or any evidence that he even existed. Well, I grew out of my shell. I’m not a wallflower anymore. Now, I write for therapy, and simply because I cannot live without it in my life. My career is to relate with others. I want to prioritize our connections and shared experiences as human beings.
Which writers inspire you?
-I am inspired by so many. I adore Yeats and Neruda for their love-thirsty language. Mary Oliver’s words move like water majestically covering every inch of your forgotten self, and sometimes, like water, towers the tide over you with what you want to forget. Montaigne questions everything...which I love. I’m also blown away by upcoming authors and poets I see stand up to the microphone at an event for the first time. I hear people say that there are few great voices to be heard these days, but I disagree. You just have to keep your eyes and ears open.
So, what have you written?
-I published my first collection of poems, If I Settle Down… in 2015, after the loss of my grandmother. Pedestrian is my latest collection of poems and short stories inspired by my time spent on the Tweetsie. You can find them on Amazon, B&N and some used book stores in Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
In what formats is your book available?
-My book is available in kindle and paperback.
-I was always quiet with my nose in a book. Age brought with it the normal developmental interests. I still kept my books even when faced with the hurricane of hormones adolescence brings.
Were you good at English?
-I don’t think any writer can deny their relationship with words: their meanings and arrangements. It was my favorite subject. I did well in English. I wish I could say the same for Math. Ugh.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
-In my youth, I wanted the written word to unravel my true character to the world before it was too late. I was a wallflower who feared he would die without anyone knowing who he was, or any evidence that he even existed. Well, I grew out of my shell. I’m not a wallflower anymore. Now, I write for therapy, and simply because I cannot live without it in my life. My career is to relate with others. I want to prioritize our connections and shared experiences as human beings.
Which writers inspire you?
-I am inspired by so many. I adore Yeats and Neruda for their love-thirsty language. Mary Oliver’s words move like water majestically covering every inch of your forgotten self, and sometimes, like water, towers the tide over you with what you want to forget. Montaigne questions everything...which I love. I’m also blown away by upcoming authors and poets I see stand up to the microphone at an event for the first time. I hear people say that there are few great voices to be heard these days, but I disagree. You just have to keep your eyes and ears open.
So, what have you written?
-I published my first collection of poems, If I Settle Down… in 2015, after the loss of my grandmother. Pedestrian is my latest collection of poems and short stories inspired by my time spent on the Tweetsie. You can find them on Amazon, B&N and some used book stores in Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
In what formats is your book available?
-My book is available in kindle and paperback.
What are you working on at the minute?
-For the past year, I’ve been working on a historical fiction set in Southwest Virginia, during the 1940’s, called Finnry’s Frond. I’m not set in stone with the title.
What’s it about?
-Begins with the death of a deserting, alcoholic father in a small town. The eldest son returns to the town holding a dark secret and violent past. I intend to experiment with a surreal dialog caught somewhere between the classical and an Appalachian dialect. I knit with a lot of unconscious connections between the characters, and do my best to keep my distance from the plot strategy. I’m more focused on the people.
What genre are your books?
-Nonfiction/Poetry
What draws you to this genre?
-I’ve always enjoyed poetry. It’s music. A collective art for the individual.
When did you decide to become a writer?
-I didn’t. Always kept a journal and then I began to write little poems inspired by my favorite musical artist: Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, etc. My friend read my writing, and told me I needed talk to our friend’s dad, who was a published poet and teacher, Sam Rasnake. Funny thing. I had read his book in the library. It was one of my favorites. I just never put two and two together. He’s a creative guru. I was one of many who he inspired to continue writing.
-I didn’t. Always kept a journal and then I began to write little poems inspired by my favorite musical artist: Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, etc. My friend read my writing, and told me I needed talk to our friend’s dad, who was a published poet and teacher, Sam Rasnake. Funny thing. I had read his book in the library. It was one of my favorites. I just never put two and two together. He’s a creative guru. I was one of many who he inspired to continue writing.
Why do you write?
-It's how I express myself. I also write for a therapeutic release. I use a mixture of mindfulness techniques in my writing exercises.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
-I didn’t with the first book. I wrote a short story about my grandmother in her last days. After she died, I cleaned my apartment, and found a stack of poems. I decided to put together a collection for her.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
-Part-time.
Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
-No. I write when I feel ready/inspired. It’s usually when I’m alone.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
-I try to change the format to keep things fresh. I sold my typewriter. Yeah. If I Settle Down… was all paper and pen. I used Google Docs on my phone for Pedestrian. I wrote the majority of Pedestrian while on the Tweetsie Trail, so the phone came in handy. I still prefer paper and pen though.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
-I try a number of creative exercises to keep the writing from getting stale (including the use of starters). I'm using a outline for the novel, but not so much with the poetry.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
-Finding your own voice.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
-No car. No job. No food. A lot of obstacles.
What is the easiest thing about writing it?
-After I wrecked my car, I had to walk everywhere. I don’t mind. I prefer walking. I lived by the Tweetsie Trail; they had just finished it. The trail was gorgeous...like walking in a dream.
-It's how I express myself. I also write for a therapeutic release. I use a mixture of mindfulness techniques in my writing exercises.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
-I didn’t with the first book. I wrote a short story about my grandmother in her last days. After she died, I cleaned my apartment, and found a stack of poems. I decided to put together a collection for her.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
-Part-time.
Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
-No. I write when I feel ready/inspired. It’s usually when I’m alone.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
-I try to change the format to keep things fresh. I sold my typewriter. Yeah. If I Settle Down… was all paper and pen. I used Google Docs on my phone for Pedestrian. I wrote the majority of Pedestrian while on the Tweetsie Trail, so the phone came in handy. I still prefer paper and pen though.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
-I try a number of creative exercises to keep the writing from getting stale (including the use of starters). I'm using a outline for the novel, but not so much with the poetry.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
-Finding your own voice.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
-No car. No job. No food. A lot of obstacles.
What is the easiest thing about writing it?
-After I wrecked my car, I had to walk everywhere. I don’t mind. I prefer walking. I lived by the Tweetsie Trail; they had just finished it. The trail was gorgeous...like walking in a dream.
Do you ever get writer’s Block?
-I’ve had periods where I failed to write anything because I didn’t make time. Don’t know if that counts as a block.
Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
-Energy flows. We see it in streams. If you want to avoid a block, you need to channel your stream to an ocean. Connect yourself to a greater source.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
-I love ebooks and the art of digital archiving, but I’m too drawn to the smelly old wasteful paper...shame.
What book/s are you reading at present?
-Specter Mountain: Poems by Jesse Graves.
Amazon: http://a.co/01lKqh5
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
-The cover for Pedestrian is a picture I took of the Tweetsie Trail one fall morning. I also photographed the rose for If I Settle Down…
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
-I do. It’s usually what catches the eye.
What is your opinion on the age-old ‘which is better?’ self-publishing vs traditionally publishing question? Pros & Cons?
-I’m self published. It’s more difficult to market your own book, but I see a lot of traditionally published authors stepping outside to follow a lot of the same marketing strategies as indie/self published authors.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
-If it’s an honest review, it’s not a bad review. I rather like the cold hard criticism.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?
-Absolutely. You got great grandmas on social media. Everyone uses social media. However, do not think that you will survive marketing through Facebook alone. Try blog tours where you can link your social media sites.
-I’ve had periods where I failed to write anything because I didn’t make time. Don’t know if that counts as a block.
Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
-Energy flows. We see it in streams. If you want to avoid a block, you need to channel your stream to an ocean. Connect yourself to a greater source.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
-I love ebooks and the art of digital archiving, but I’m too drawn to the smelly old wasteful paper...shame.
What book/s are you reading at present?
-Specter Mountain: Poems by Jesse Graves.
Amazon: http://a.co/01lKqh5
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
-The cover for Pedestrian is a picture I took of the Tweetsie Trail one fall morning. I also photographed the rose for If I Settle Down…
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
-I do. It’s usually what catches the eye.
What is your opinion on the age-old ‘which is better?’ self-publishing vs traditionally publishing question? Pros & Cons?
-I’m self published. It’s more difficult to market your own book, but I see a lot of traditionally published authors stepping outside to follow a lot of the same marketing strategies as indie/self published authors.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
-If it’s an honest review, it’s not a bad review. I rather like the cold hard criticism.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?
-Absolutely. You got great grandmas on social media. Everyone uses social media. However, do not think that you will survive marketing through Facebook alone. Try blog tours where you can link your social media sites.
How do you relax?
-I close my eyes. Take a deep breath. And say to myself, “You ARE Batman.” No. Being Batman sounds pretty stressful. Nature calms me. I love the outdoors.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
-“Whatever can be done another day can be done today.” - Montaigne
What is your favorite book and why?
Essays by Montaigne. I can always go back and read again. It’s full of rich philosophical examinations on human behavior and the existence of morale within a society.
What is your favorite quote?
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -” - Mary Oliver
What is your favorite film and why?
-The Sacrifice by Tarkovsky. The images brought to life and paired with his father’s poetry surface emotions and feelings you didn’t even know were there. Amazing.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
Completely gray.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
-Be sure of yourself.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
-If it’s what you enjoy, don’t let anything stand in your way.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Readers can subscribe to my mailing list for updates here: http://eepurl.com/dtKYrn
-I close my eyes. Take a deep breath. And say to myself, “You ARE Batman.” No. Being Batman sounds pretty stressful. Nature calms me. I love the outdoors.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
-“Whatever can be done another day can be done today.” - Montaigne
What is your favorite book and why?
Essays by Montaigne. I can always go back and read again. It’s full of rich philosophical examinations on human behavior and the existence of morale within a society.
What is your favorite quote?
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -” - Mary Oliver
What is your favorite film and why?
-The Sacrifice by Tarkovsky. The images brought to life and paired with his father’s poetry surface emotions and feelings you didn’t even know were there. Amazing.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
Completely gray.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
-Be sure of yourself.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
-If it’s what you enjoy, don’t let anything stand in your way.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Readers can subscribe to my mailing list for updates here: http://eepurl.com/dtKYrn
OR
Social Media & Website Links:
Amazon: http://a.co/b5OU8TA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pedestrianpoems/
and
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCharlesBCross/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@charlesbcrossap
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/charles-b-cross
Website: https://charlesbcrosspoetry.wordpress.com/
Amazon: http://a.co/b5OU8TA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pedestrianpoems/
and
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCharlesBCross/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@charlesbcrossap
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/charles-b-cross
Website: https://charlesbcrosspoetry.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of our questions! It has been wonderful getting to know you!