Minnesota-based writer emoryskwara shares a bit of what makes his state so interesting, and it's more than what you'd guess. He also delves into the "what-ifs" of speculative literature, and the terribleness of a first rough draft.

1. Share some of your world.

My world, like most, is filled with monotony, highs and lows, love, food, and magic. I work full time at a desk job. At least, I try. Usually I get swept up in my own imagination, thinking of where I'm going to take my next story. In my off time, I take care of and play with my kids. Right now we're trying to build a computer. During free-time, I try to write and read as much as possible, especially with this massive project on my desk. That's where the magic comes in. Other than that, I like to collect vinyl, watch movies, make movies, and go ice skating. 

2. Describe your version of speculative literature.

Speculative literature is where you can think of any "What If" question and make it happen with little to no restrictions. Usually this leads to some crazy worlds, bizarre situations, pushes the boundaries of the natural world, and almost always mixes a lot of genres together. Speculative literature isn't trying to ask what if Tom went to ask Wendy to the prom, but rather, what if Tom went to go ask Wendy and fell into a time warp throwing him backwards instead of forwards never allowing him to ask her? You know. Weird stuff.

3. If experiencing writer's block, what do you do?

I punch it in the face. Actually, writer's block is not something I generally struggle with because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt my first draft (and my subsequent second and third) will suck and that editing will help iron all that out. I think once you take the pressure off, writer's block ceases to be a problem and the only way to take the pressure off is to remember that your first draft will be awful and that's okay. 

4. What's the most interesting thing to do in Minnesota?

I guess that depends on what you would find interesting. We have the Cherry and the Spoon, the SPAM Museum, Mickey's Diner that was in The Mighty Ducks movie, the Largest Ball of Twine, and a whole lot of snow. So, there are a lot of winter activities to do like ice skating or ice fishing. And after writing all of that it became pretty clear to me that there is nothing interesting to do in Minnesota. 

5. What kind of literature can you just not get into, and why?

Romance and most Westerns. I did like Pride and Prejudice and True Grit. Overall, though, I think I just struggle to connect with those worlds. The emotions and stakes involved don't usually compute, or I'll get it, but it's on an intellectual level and not an emotional level. I read fiction mostly for the emotional angle first and the intellectual second, otherwise I'd just read non-fiction. Also, Romance stereotypically is very over-the-top and ridiculous, but I suppose Romance fans might say the same about Science Fiction. To each his own. 

6. What's the best reader comment you've ever received? And the worst?

I'm not sure I could single one out particularly, but the ones that I like the most are either trying to guess where things are going (and are dead wrong) or the ones that are like "Nooooooooooooo" because something really bad happened. That usually tells me I did something right. The comments that literally make zero sense to me are worst because I'm sitting there scratching my head wondering what it means. 

7. Are there any children's book you read to your kids that you can't stand?

Yes, "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. I stopped reading it to them a long time ago.

8. Do you write naked?

Nope. Thanks for the idea though.

9. Favorite literary character you wish you could be.

Gandalf.

10. Editing dos and don'ts.

Do: Finish your first draft before you edit a word or punctuation mark.
Don't: Let anyone read your first draft before you've finished it.

11. Name a favorite movie that is underrated by the masses.

Enemy by Denis Villeneuve. It's criminally underrated and is a cinematic masterpiece. Watch it, then watch it again, and keep trying to dissect all the symbolism. It's powerful once you actually understand what the movie is about. Plus, it has one of the best (and scariest) endings in a movie I've ever seen. 

Is anyone else picturing a naked Gandalf penning the next installment of a Hobbit-based adventure? 

If so, click on over to emoryskwara's page to read his fantasy epic, Numinous, or his most recent sci-fi endeavor, Of Song and Singularity.