Twisting Topeka
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What have you learned about writing fiction from participating in this project? What have you learned about self-publishing from participating in this project?
My learning experiences from this project were all tied to the peer feedback. Having feedback from 3 fellow writers, plus my 90 year old Nana, gave me different suggestions and perspectives to consider. I loved their compliments – that felt great and validated the hard work that I put into developing my characters’ voices. I liked the critical and constructive feedback more than I thought I would. Instead of just proofreading for grammar on my next draft, I did some serious revision. I tried to address the overall comments as well as the specific places where readers reported they were pulled out of the story, or found the phrasing awkward, or suggested missing content, or even once instance where a beta reader wanted to “reach through the computer and smack [the character]”.
What real-life alternate or speculative twist for Topeka do you anticipate or fear?
Issues around school funding and social inequality weigh heavily on my mind. I hope we find better solutions for our kids and our community.
Paul Swearingen
Happiness is a Cold Pistol
Having written and published eleven young adult novels, you’d think that Paul Swearingen would have no trouble in dashing off a short story for this project. Not so! Short stories are just as difficult to craft as novels are. (The only thing more difficult is writing a query letter for a novel.)
Swearingen retired in 2009 after 34 years of teaching English, journalism, and Spanish, including nine years at Highland Park High School and eleven at Topeka High. He collects many things, including books, multi-band radios, Macintosh computers, cameras, radio station coffee mugs, vinyl records, historical books about Kansas, original artwork, and old rusty tools which he proudly displays in his workshop. In other words, his home is now a low-quality museum.
What is your writing background?
All of my novels are young adult, two post-apocalyptic.
What real-life alternate or speculative twist for Topeka do you anticipate or fear?
Another tornado, or my own house catching on fire.
What’s the most important writing advice you’ve received?
1. Set butt in chair. 2. Write, and don’t stop until you’ve completed enough to reach a goal.
How do you make time for writing?
Being retired, time is not a problem for me. I usually write in the afternoon, though.
S. R. Thompson
A Library for Every Kid
Once upon a time, S. R. Thompson saw the word “UBIQUITOUS” splashed across a huge billboard. After that, she was off on the high adventure of tracking down the meaning and use of this word--and all words. Her life consists of looking high and low, searching the highways and byways of experience, down one trail and up another for all kinds of words and their meanings, to string them together into stories and poems that showcase The One who is present, everywhere, at the same time.
Why did you want to participate in the Community Novel Project?
Every day I have a different colored pen in my hand and am laying colored ink onto all kinds of paper products. The love of writing is a part of me. The Community Novel Project just seemed like high adventure, a fun project, and offered help from Miranda Ericsson and Lissa Staley--a perfect combination for learning more about story-writing and publishing.
What was the inspiration for writing your story?
Because our family has spent endless hours of enjoyment in the public library of Topeka and this was a Community Novel Project sponsored by the library, it seemed only natural to attempt to write a short story about a true event in the life of Topeka and the library. Also, the “twist” in my short story came one day, making the bed, as I glanced at the spine of a volume on a pile of books. I was inspired to write the story in the format of best-selling author, Brooks, in his book, World War Z, in which each interview added and heightened the story plot-line.
What have you learned about self-publishing in this project?
Much has changed over the decades in the publishing world. If a writer does not keep up with technology, it becomes almost impossible to publish.
What is your writing background?
I have written 2 (self-published) books: Conquering Holidays For Jesus Christ and How to Bible Study as well as Knock, Knock, Who’s At the Door (a birthday poetry book about dogs) and two fictional short stories for the Kansas Author’s Club writing contest--”A Proper Love” (Romance--First Place--1994) and “On The Wings of Kansas Winds” (Historical Fiction--Second Honorable Mention--1995). I will try my hand at just about any genre of writing. Currently, I am working on an alphabetical poetry book.
How do you make time for writing? Do you write on a schedule, or write for a certain amount of time each day, or do you only write when you feel inspired?
Writing, for me, is a combination of all of the above. However, writing starts my day--usually journaling--from about 5 a.m. until around 9 a.m.--and ends my day in the evening hours. It takes a love of words and life, discipline, hard work, being cognizant of schedules, and a measure of inspiration.
Also Available From Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Read more from the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s Community Novel Project at tscpl.org/novel.