Aaron, how did you find our workshop and what has kept you coming back to us?

A couple years back, I had delusions of grandeur about becoming a writer. As I scoured the dark depths of the internet in search of a place to improve my (admittedly) poor craft, I happened upon the Short Story Workshop, known of course now as the Phoenix. To be honest, I looked at the writing of some of your senior members and knew I was far inferior. So I contented myself to just lurk in the shadows, learning from the discussions what made good writing good and vice-versa. So I owe a great deal of thanks to you folk, for helping me grow as a writer.

An addendum to this uninspired story is that I lost the URL to your site, found it again by blind chance, and then voiced my support for this fantastic community when the good goddess almost yielded to the temptation to shut this place down. I am glad for the rebirth here.

As a Fantasy writer, what is it about this style of writing that you love/hate?

I don’t think any writer can say that J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings didn’t influence them in some fashion. It introduced me to the fantasy genre, and other wonderful stories within that genre, such as Stephen R. Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant trilogy, Frank Herbert’s Dune, and the first four books of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time (the final five books of his series are nothing but melodramatic, uninspired, profit-milking drivel, but that, of course, is another story).

I can’t consider myself a true fantasy writer; I really just write whatever pops into my head. But the idea of creating a foreign, exotic world, populating it with characters and history, is very intriguing to me. Though, with the proliferation of fantasy stories today, it’s hard to find something fresh. Someday, I hope to be inspired with an original idea for a fantasy story or world, but I won’t force the issue. There’s enough “Gallant Hero Y” defends “Generic Land Z” against “Dark Lord X” to fill the belly of an Anne McCaffrey dragon.

What inspired you to start writing and what gives you the continued inspiration to write?

See earlier reference to “delusions of grandeur.” And $200,000 advances to stories.

Seriously, the process of taking a single idea, molding it into a story, and breathing life into characters and places entirely of my own design is...well, invigorating. I’m a power-monger, what can I say?*laughs* In my humble experience, there are few satisfactions greater than taking that one idea and seeing it through to completion in the form of a story. There’s a great feeling of accomplishment, as any writer knows, and I find it a relaxing way to unwind after braving a rather unforgiving reality for 15 hours.

If you could be any character in fiction or non-fiction writing, who would that be and why?

Bugs Bunny. No, wait...Ishmael from Moby Dick, because it was a wonderful story, and he was the only bloke to make it out alive. No, scratch that, Paul Maud’dib...just because.

What have you found to be your biggest challenges in writing?

My biggest challenge is to stop myself from burning every story I ever wrote. Tragically, I happen to be a destructive, masochistic perfectionist. After the original thrill of completing a story subsides, I begin to critique every last detail and nuance, until I thoroughly convince myself that I am the worst writer ever to pick up the pen (or quill), and that all my writing is pompous crap. Maybe that’s normal, but I consider myself a poor writer, and thus it’s easy to get discouraged.

What has been your biggest thrill/high in writing?

Seeing people laugh or smile at what I write, though I don’t dabble much in comedy. Completing a story, at least until the initial charm wears off (see above). Developing an interesting, believable character, as opposed to a cardboard characterization or stereotype. Watching a story or idea change directions unexpectedly on you, as the characters you write take life and direct the story on their own, as opposed to you as the writer scripting everything. The latter is really wondrous to behold; in certain magical situations a writer can lose control of the story and watch it progress completely on its own strength.

Have you had anything published? Tell us about that experience.

Not at this time. No fictional writing of mine is good enough to be even remotely publishable. I feel that I’m improving, but I still have much to learn. I have no plans to pursue publication, but I’m willing to jump on an opportunity if it comes.

Which elements of a story do you find the most difficult to develop?

By far the hardest thing to decide is the title. I go through at least fifty before I happen upon one that fits. The first line of the story tends to change quite a bit too.

I also tend to inexplicably and unforgivably overuse adverbs, dubiously and endlessly.

How do you like to relax? What are some of your hobbies?

Cups of green tea, quiet moments in a favorite rocking chair, long walks by the ocean shore, ...wait a second, who am I trying to fool?

By the way, I really do enjoy walking by the ocean. *grins*

When you are reading something by another author, what sort of things really irritate you or turn you off to their writing?

I honestly don’t believe I have the right to be irritated by what another writer does, as I have too many flaws in my own work to be a harsh judge. But since you asked: I don’t enjoy stories that “tell” me what’s going on, as opposed to “showing” me. I don’t like stories that tread over material that has already been picked over a billion times. Also, a large number of grammar and spelling mistakes generally screams of laziness (a small number are to be expected, of course). And writers who are afraid (or even refuse) to redraft, edit, and tighten their stories will sadly be damned to obscurity.

What are you currently working on, and what was the inspiration for this piece?

At the time of this writing, “Once Kings” is my latest offering. I’ll call it a religious fantasy, more allegory than anything else, with apologies to John Bunyan. It is my best story to date, though that’s not saying much, and I poured a lot of time, effort, sweat, and spirit into it. I hope you enjoy it.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our writers?

Write. Write more. It’s the best way to improve your skill. And don’t browbeat yourself into a coma because there are better writers in the world. Learn from them, use their stories and experience as a stepping stone in your own development. At the expense of sounding cliché, the sky’s the limit. Thank you, take care, and God bless. May inspiration find you.