what is your name?
My name is David Stienmetz
how would you describe what you do?
What I attempt to write is epic contemporary fantasy. Contemporary in that it isn’t set in the distant future or distant past but at a similar time period to
our own.
what are you currently working on?
I am currently working on the last chapter of a novel called “Ripped Awaye.”
what has had the greatest influence on your work?
The greatest influence upon me thus far has been my experience in the Army.
what is the greatest misconception about you or your work?
I don’t know that I’m well read enough for anyone to have misconceptions about my work. If there were, I supposed they might conceive that I am anti-war. I am not necessarily pro or anti war, but I find that even after having been a soldier in a combat zone, I can still attempt to look at it with a fresh perspective.
what do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the medium you work in?
The strengths in writing fictional prose are almost too many to count. The greatest I would say is that you can give the reader more detail and more of a direct experience of character than they might get from a television program or film.
how has technology impacted upon the work you do?
Technology is a must in these days. Alot of my friends still insist that typewriters have some magical essence about them that makes your writing better, but I find that the speed and utility of computers more than make up for any ancient blessings they fail to bestow. Besides, I can type nearly as fast as I talk on a good day and that really saves time and finger cramps from writing by hand.
what’s the greatest piece of advice you would like to pass on?
As for advice, I hardly find myself in a position to give it, but I guess I would say that writing is alot like drawing, painting, or even playing sports. The more you do it the better you’ll get. If your brain is a muscle, think of writing as heavy lifting, and reading as your cardio.
where can we find you online?
Lol, I have not yet returned to writerscafe.org after the whole site deletion fiasco. I occasionally post work on my facebook, but haven’t yet found a comfortable place to stick to. I have recently had a piece put in the UW Madison’s Student Writers Collection 2011.
what are you reading at the moment?
I am currenly reading Skavenslayer, and enjoying every bloody bit of it.
what are you listening to at the moment?
I am listening to E.S. Posthumus “Unstoppable” because it makes every keystroke seem like the blowback of a machinegun.
anything else we should know?
Other things to know? A useful tool that I’ve found helps to keep characters in order is to sketch a portrait of each of them which I post on the wall of my office for quick reference. If I ever wonder what one of them might say, I simply turn and ask them.
Good interview! I don’t know whether David Stienmetz would read my comment but couldn’t refrain from posting this: I guess using sites like zazzle.com, caffepress.com, fiverr could be a good way for promotion and “removing” stupidity in streets like headlines on t-shirts, fridge magnets, cups, etc. of the kind My Boyfriend kisses better than yours, FBI – Female Body Inspector, etc… Every author could use some good, wise quotes from his/her works, some poems, illustrations, etc. I’m allanbard there, I use some of my quotes, illustrations, poems, like: One can fight money only with money, Even in the hottest fire there’s a bit of water, All the problems in the world lead to one – narrow-minded people -, Money are amongst the last things that make people rich, or
Love and happiness will be around,
as all the chains will disappear!
And Mountaineers will climb their mount,
and there won’t be any tear!… I guess such thoughts, poems look much better than any of the headlines we see every day? Best wishes to all fans of fantasy genre!
Interesting ideas. Friends of mine, lightly and broadly published have given me mixed perspectives on self promotion. While haughty professors think that self publishing is just a step above treason, other writers have suggested that at least self promotion is entirely necessary on some level. I’ve started a light hearted youtube channel which might eventually feature some of my work if I ever get more than a hundred views on anything to make it worth the effort. Beyond that, I’ve been too busy just trying to pay the mortgage to think about printing my own t-shirts and or shooting out quotes like, “Sometimes standing up for what you believe in involves more than just standing there.”