Interview Rhobin Lee Courtright

by

Kev Richardson

1) What are your writing goals? Your plan for meeting them?

I do not write fast, but I try to write consistently or work on some aspect of story creation. If I can’t write or I’m stuck on some point, I work on developing plots for other books. That is the only plan -- to do a little something every day.

2) What do you want readers to take away from your book?

The enjoyment of a good story, a topic to think about, and enthusiasm for more of my books. 

3) Do you write only when the mood strikes or are you disciplined to a schedule?

I wish I could be more disciplined, and I am in my fashion, but that means being scattered over several fields of interest: writing, reviewing, teaching, etc. Plus if you don’t participate in life’s adventures with family and friends, you have little to write about. Then there are always those ‘unexpected’ life events…both pleasant and unpleasant.

4) How much do real life experiences influence your tales?

They infiltrate everything my characters do. You can write about something without having experienced it yourself, but if you have experienced something, you know the nuances and emotions involved.  

5) When self-editing your work, are you writer or reader?

First time through I’m neither, but editor. This means putting space between when the manuscript was written and when editing begins. I put it away again for a few days and then read as a reader.

6) How methodically do you plot your tale structure?

I’m probably too methodical although last minute changes occur during the actual writing, and sometimes I take a walk to clear my head and think. It’s amazing what plot develops out of long walks.

7) Do you pluck some characters from real life? How much of you is in those created?

No, I don’t base them on real people, including myself, although I expect much of me comes through in every character. I have several techniques to develop a character that works for me, most based on psychological studies of personality types.

8) When writing, do you listen to music or prefer silence?

Music is too distracting with its strong rhythms and melodies; silence too enveloping making all outside noise more noticeable. I work with the television on rerun dramas. It all turns into white noise.

9) How do you resolve plot problems that arise?

On long walks I talk to myself about what-ifs and then talk the situation through with a friend. If that doesn’t solve the problem, I skip that section and go on writing or switch to another story.

10) Do you find a character can start pointing your way to what should follow?

I’ve heard some authors say this has happened to them, but it hasn’t happened to me except that I try to remain true to that character’s personality traits, which often determines the path they will take.