What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Honestly, it’s bulldogs. I own two, Frankie and Otto. Otto weighs in at 65-70 pounds, and Frankie seems to hold steady at 55. They relate to my writing, in that they’re usually in my lap as I write. Otto always, Frankie less so. I have what’s called a chair-and-a-half with an ottoman. He usually takes up that half and leans his head against my shoulder as I write. When she joins in, she’s usually on the ottoman with her head across my legs.
It would feel odd if they weren’t there at this point. I require quiet when I write, and they’re good for that… unless the squirrel runs by on the fence. Then we take a quick break, freshen up the coffee and get back to it.
What do you think are the elements of a good story?
There are so many things that matter. For today, I’m going to have to focus on one. It’s that your characters have to drive the plot. They have to have some kind of skin in the game.
I come across stories where the character’s duty is to guard something, protect something, etc. Noble tasks, no doubt, but these characters aren’t driving the plot. They’re standing around, waiting for someone else to drive the plot. Beyond a paycheck, or a sense of honor, they don’t have skin in the game.
What common traps do aspiring writers fall into?
I’m fairly sure others are answering some of these same questions, so I’m going to try to be different. Perfection is the enemy of completion. We all want to be perfect, yet you cannot find a book without a few typos, questionable sentences, or odd grammar. This includes the big publishing houses.
As an author, we rely upon critique groups, beta readers, editors, and sometimes all of them. Eventually, an author has to get a product to market. If you don’t get a product to market, you’re kind of defeating your own purpose.
Do you view fellow authors as competitors, allies or are there some combination of the two? Why?
The logical part of my brain says a bit of both. However, my experience with fellow authors is they are my best resource and some of my biggest fans. As an example, for every copy of Extra Innings you sell, I could look at it as a copy of The Enhanced League that I didn’t sell. That just isn’t the case.
Most people who read one of our baseball stories are likely to read both of them. Over the years, you’ve appeared on my blog, I’ve read and loved Extra Innings. I’ve been over here multiple times, and you’ve read The Enhanced League yourself.
You’re here for me when I have a new book to promote, and I will always be there if you need help spreading the word.
What marketing technique have you found to be the most effective? Ineffective?
My blog, Entertaining Stories, has always been my best tool. I get to be myself there, and have more words to play with than Twitter or Facebook. I can change the appearance from time to time, just to keep it looking fresh.
Trickling out bits of ongoing projects tends to whet readers’ interest. This can be me talking about individual plot points, or the fictional versions from my writing cabin.
My blog auto-feeds to most of the popular social media sites. I used to be more active on social media, but it seems to have really tailed off as far as a promotional too.
What comes first in your writing, the plot or the characters?
It really isn’t fair, but nothing comes first all the time. Many of my stories begin with a fully developed vignette. These can come from dreams, daydreams, but I prefer to blame my Muse.
I’ve had great characters show up in search of a plot. I currently have an outline going that involves more of some things I want to address in fiction. It needs characters, and an undertone of plot before I can start it.
What tools do you use to write? (Computer, notebook, software, etc.)
My most important tool is an Apple iPad Pro, the big one. I have the Smart Keyboard for it, and it’s about the same as a laptop. I frequently use the split-screen option when I build my Lisa Burton Radio interviews. I also like the continuous updating to the cloud. No more remembering to save my work. I’m filling this interview out with it right now.
Do you outline? Are you a ‘pantser’? What techniques do you use to get started on a story?
I don’t know what I am, to tell the truth. I’m going to say outliner, but not exactly. I storyboard my tales. I have four or five storyboards in the works at any given time. If an idea haunts me, I use an app to start a board. I make an index card, add some visuals, and leave it alone. When more comes to me, I add to it.
Then I move the cards around to look something like a plot, but they aren’t the detailed outlines others use. My index cards are road markers for the story. I free write between the cards and it seems to work.
Do you write in only a single genre? If so, what genre? If not, what genres?
Define a genre. Yes and no. I write speculative fiction, but don’t stick to one specific sub-genre. My books cover science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal. They all require a suspension of disbelief, and I tend to orbit around them with my stories. It gives me a lot of room to change things up, and still remain true to the kind of stories I like.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
We have a camper and enjoy getting out on long weekends. If the season doesn’t lend itself to that, we enjoy what we call date night. This might involve dinner, or a movie, but some time away from the internet for sure. I take my iPad on camping trips, but aside from the word processor, almost everything else isn’t an option.
I’ve been known to hack out a chapter under the awning with a cup of coffee, and a bulldog companion. It won’t upload to the cloud until I get home, but that’s okay. A bit of fresh air, some incredible views, and maybe a wild blackberry dessert is good for authors too.
About C.S. Boyak:
I was born in a town called Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times, and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.
I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.
I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Find C.S.’s Books:
Everything is available through my Amazon Author Page. https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00ILXBXUY
Connect with C.S. Boyack:
The best place to find me is at my blog, Entertaining Stories. I am present on various social media too. Here are the links to everything.
A great interview, both. They all require a suspension of disbelief – are you inferring my favourite root monsters aren’t real, Craig? [wink] More root monsters, I say.
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Root monsters are coming around again. I’m still working out some kinks for book two prior to starting. Thanks, Robbie.
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Learn more about Craig 😃
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Thanks, Chris.
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Welcome, Craig 👍😃
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Terrific interview and love the muses… have pressed for later…thanks Don and Craig.
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Thanks for sharing this one.
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Pleasure Craig…enjoy your weekend.
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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Thanks, Charles.
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You’re welcome.
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Another really interesting interview, for which thanks, both. It’s funny you’d mention your bulldogs. I’m owned by two dogs, myself, and they like to hang out in my home office. I agree, too, about the rich resource other authors provide. I’m very privileged to be in the community, and I always learn from other writers. Wishing you much success.
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The author community is wonderful. Don and his interview series is a prime example of this. Thanks for the well wishes.
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Thanks for having me over today, Don. My door is always open if you want to borrow my site.
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
I’m hanging out with Don Massenzio today. Stop over and say hi.
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I love these interviews because I always learn new things about people I think I know. Thanks for hosting, Don.
Craig, your assessment of author support vs. competition is spot-on. I hope more people take that to heart. And hearing you talk about Otto and Frankie made me smile. I used to have a chair-and-a-half with an ottoman and loved it. We have a recliner now, instead. My dogs fight for couch space beside me, but I know they’d be like your dogs and take the “half” (and probably more) and the ottoman. In fact, I KNOW Casey would because he tries to climb on my husband when he’s on the recliner. (The 100-pound Lab is too big to be a lap dog, but he doesn’t realize. And yes, they have gone over backward a time or two.)
I hope this interview gives you lots of exposure and sales.
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I love dogs. They don’t understand how big they are and just want to cuddle. When one of mine steps on me it hurts they’re so heavy, but they just want to be closer.
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Agreed. On all of it. 🐶
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A super interview, and so nice learning more about you, Craig. (Don, I love this series of yours!) I have THREE of your books in my TBR pile. Obviously, I’m not reading fast enough! Must bump them up a bit and get started. I want to know about root monsters, too!
Thanks for a great one, guys! 🙂
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Thanks, Marcia. Those root monsters have gotten some great press. I never expected that, but I’m ecstatic. I’ve decided to turn Lanternfish into a trilogy at the urging of my Story Empire colleagues. The Hat is going to be the other kind of series with additional stories about the main characters, but not exactly an overarching plot.
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Sounds like a good Plan on both counts. And I can’t remember if I mentioned this, but I absolutely love the Lanternfish cover! (Looks just like a real one, sharp ol’ teeth and all.) 🙂
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Thanks. I really like that cover. It might be a little dark at thumbnail size, but I still love it.
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Always love hearing more about Frankie and Otto – oh, and you too, Craig, lol! Thanks for hosting, Don!
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The pups are stars, no doubt. When I share a picture of them my blog stats always spike.
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I’ve known about your story boards for a while, Craig, but they still fascinate me. With my current WIP, I could have really benefited from moving index cards around.
I think Otto and Frankie must love writing time as much as you do 🙂
This was a great interview, with so many enlightening answers. Well done, Craig and Don!
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Maybe we can storyboard your project together. I think I can send out a pdf of one. Pdf isn’t the best format, but could work.
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Can I have one too, Craig?
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I’ll have to check my app this weekend. I may have a kind of blank starter board.
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Thanks again, Craig…
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Ooh, maybe that would help me focus. I know most of the story in my head but fitting the pieces together in the proper order has been problematic.
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I’ll see if I can figure this out to a degree via email. Might be a fun exercise.
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Great interview! Nice to get to know you a bit more C.S!
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Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo.
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Thank you for sharing this.
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My pleasure, Craig.
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Really good interview. I typically breeze through these without honestly reading the entire interview, but that just changed with this one. Cheers! Here’s to the future…
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Thank you for that. Don makes it all easy.
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I love your answer about traps for new writers–perfection is the enemy of completion. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder–perfect to me isn’t. Good interview, Craig.
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Thank you, Jacqui. That was hard to share, because it opens me up to scrutiny, but it’s true. I’ve known writers who polish the same story for years and somehow feel it’s never good enough. My early stuff is rough around the edges, and I took some lumps from it. I learned from those lumps and am better for it.
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An excellent interview! Your dogs sound wonderful. Keep doing what you’re doing!
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Thank you, Darlene. It doesn’t matter how bad your day is, the dogs always love us without reservations.
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Always!!
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Enjoyed this interview, Don and Craig. You’ve mentioned your storyboards before which is fascinating. Can you tell me the app you use?
The way your dogs need to be by your side, says a lot about your character ❤
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I used to use Corkulous-Pro and loved it, then it went away. I now use Pinnic, but I heard they aren’t updating anymore. This means the operating system will outrun it eventually. However, I heard new people bought Corculous and it’s back. It’s a subscription based thing now, but that might mean the owners keep it updated. I’ll probably go back.
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Thanks, Craig. I’ll look into this.
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Any time.
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Reblogged this on Anna Dobritt — Author.
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Thank you, Anna.
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A very interesting interview, Craig. I think your advice to new authors is dead on. I’ve seen a lot fall to the wayside due to perfection paralyzation. Thanks, Don for having Craig on your post today.
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We all stumble and fall. My early stuff isn’t nearly as tight as my current stuff. If you’re going to fall, fall forward I say.
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I’m reading and enjoying Panama right now.
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Really? That’s cool. I’d love to find out how it compares from someone who’s read my more recent work.
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I think your most recient work is tighter and moves quicker but still Panama is a good story.
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Thanks. That is an honest assessment.
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But Panama is better than most so it is like trying to compare an early Picasso to later. They still are terrific.
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Ha ha. Have you been drinking?
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Ha Ha ha. No. I can see why you asked though.
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An interesting and informative interview… always love reading about Craig and his dogs.
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Thanks, and thanks for reblogging.
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Great Q & A! I always enjoy learning more about my favorite writers. Thank you, Don and Craig! 😀
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Thanks, Vashti. Don made it all easy.
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“perfection is the enemy of completion.” I have learned so much about my craft from book 1 till now. I still have much more to learn. How exciting that is. Loved your candid interview, Craig. Thanks, Don for providing such a great platform for authors to shine.
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Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for commenting. That improvement from story to story is a huge part of my motivation.
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Enjoyed the interview, Craig! I can relate to the writing “partners” except my two cats weigh much less. 🙂
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You just need more of them to get the full impact.
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Don’t tell my husband that.
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Great interview. I enjoy learning about my favorite authors.
I have a chair and one half as well and an ottoman. Abbey, my Scottie, sits in the chair, I get the half. Tristen, my Lhasa Apso Bichon mix, sprawls out on the ottoman.
They even try to help wit my writing.
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That’s funny. You’re the third one to describe the chair/ottoman hierarchy that way.
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My dogs are super spoiled. They rule the house.
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Ours too.
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Outstanding interview, Craig and Don! 🙂 Sharing…
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Thank you, Bette. Appreciate the sharing more than you know.
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Reblogged this on Ted Myers and commented:
Learn about my author friend, C.S. Boyack here. We writers have much to learn from him.
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Thank you, Ted. Thanks for sharing with your fans too.
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Great interview. Craig, what is the program you use to make your storyboards?
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I went to Pinnic when Corkulous died. Now that it’s under new management, I may go back.
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What a fantastic interview! I always enjoy what Craig has to say and this interview is no exception. Thank you for giving him a platform, Don!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Jan.
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Thank you for another great interview! Very interesting, and i always making a lot of new experiences too. Best wishes, Michael
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Thanks, Michael.
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Great interview, Craig and Don. I’ll make sure my squirrels don’t show up by your fence when you write, Craig. They’re not afraid of me even when I walk close to them. Your date nights sounds nice when it’s not in camper season.
The turn of the century reminds me of how we panicked over the Y2K issue of the computer. Oh, I bought 2K shiny pennies for my daughter’s birthday that year!!
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Glad you enjoyed it. It’s funny what all we worried about. Y2K dominated the news for a couple of years leading up to it.
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Yes, same thing when the gasoline went up to more than $1.00.
Or when Nadia Comăneci got perfect 10 gymnastics. at the Olympics.
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I put many things like that in my novel Will O’ the Wisp. Defunct brands and such. I used Wards, International Harvester, Quisp cereal and more. Readers who lived it, loved it.
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Yes, Craig, many of those events are great inspiration for writing.
I have many stories in my folders.
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I always enjoy learning about authors, what makes them write and how. Thanks for sharing, both of you.
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Thank you, Cynthia.
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
Here’s an interview of C. S. Boyack courtesy of Don Massenzio
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What a great interview:)
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Very inspiring interview. Thanks for the share. 🙂
https://mysweetpromises.com
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