My own life has been doubly disconnected, as I've written books under two different names. As an author, your name almost becomes a brand; readers know what to expect.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
My name became a brand, and I'd love to say that was the plan from the start. But the only plan was to keep writing books. And I've stuck to that ever since.
I had a hard time publishing my books in the beginning of my career, because editors were afraid what people would think of THEM, personally, if their name was associated with me.
Any writer worth the name is always getting into one thing or getting out of another thing.
With each book I write, I become more and more convinced that the books have a life of their own, quite apart from me.
My life is pretty ordinary in so many ways. I live in a town called Plainville. I have the life of an average dad. It feels like I have this secret identity as an author, and it's still very surreal to me.
I was a businessman for 16 years of my life, so when I started writing, I wanted to keep my literary identity separate.
Each book tends to have its own identity rather than the author's. It speaks from itself rather than you. Each book is unlike the others because you are not bringing the same voice to every book. I think that keeps you alive as a writer.
For everyone I know who is a writer, there was some awkward time in their lives when they had to learn to call themselves one.
Writing a book is a very lonely business. You are totally cut off from the rest of the world, submerged in your obsessions and memories.
As a writer, you live in such isolation. It's hard to imagine your book has a life beyond you.