WiDō Publishing

WiDo Publishing: What kind of writer are you ie. where do you get your ideas?  What is your inspiration? Do you find any recurring themes in your writing?

 

G. M. Browning: I have never thought of myself as any particular type of writer. In fact, I don’t like the title of “writer”; it sounds like a role or job, too technical. I am a storyteller.

 

Inspiration is unpredictable. I get story ideas from dreams that wake me in the night, fragments of conversations that pass me by, music, poems, and even all of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere. Inspiration can be troublesome, and seldom convenient. As for recurring themes, my imaginings tend to be supernatural.

 

WP: When did you start writing?  How long have you wanted to be a writer?

 

Browning: I have been telling stories since the first grade. Soon after I learned to read and write, I scribbled a short story about a small clown doll that came to life and ate children. Thankfully, the teacher thought this cute and not disturbing. I grew up telling stories to my younger siblings. Together we imagined many great adventures involving talking animals, dimensional gateways and distant islands. I have always had a strong imagination and in those early years, it was more valuable to me than I can express to you now. It was not until high school that I discovered the enjoyment of putting my stories to paper. I learned the rules of writing and accepted the technical aspects and disciplines as tools for artistic creation; as essential as the painter’s brush.

 

I believe, and will always believe, that storytellers are born. One may receive several years of schooling to learn how to master the language and perfect the craft, or write and rewrite a manuscript until his fingers bleed but it will always be talent that prevails.

 

I enjoy this art and I will do it as long as I live.

 

WP: What are your passions and hobbies?

 

Browning: Aside from composing fiction, I love to play guitar. The feeling of making music with my hands and the ability to weave notes to melodies is truly enlightening and even empowering. I have always believed that music is the universal language of the world.

 

Like most men, I have my toys. My 1988 Pontiac Firebird, customized to look like K.I.T.T. from the “Knight Rider” television series, is my prized possession. This classic muscle car runs like new and I plan to keep it that way!

 

I love to fish. I have a twelve foot metal boat that serves me well on the river we live beside. For me, few things are more enjoyable then sitting in the boat on a summer afternoon with my beautiful wife, Devin. Though new to the sport, she’s caught some nice fish! Yes, I am lucky to have a wife that likes to fish.

 

WP: What do you feel your strengths and weaknesses are as a writer?

 

Browning: I strive to show the reader the hearts and souls of my characters. Each character must be real; with thoughts, feelings and actions that are sporadic, meaningful and natural. I want the reader to become a part of the character, to know him or her as they would know a friend. Also, the world must be real and independent. I believe the setting should be so vivid that it gives the feeling that it will be there with or without the character. For example, the island of Maui will be there whether a person visits it or not; it doesn’t need people to exist for it to exist. Characters that come alive within a detailed world make stories that readers will not soon forget.

 

The greatest challenge I face when composing fiction is keeping control. Sometimes, the story and I fight for the reins. The characters have a way of taking over and it’s hard for me to maintain my position as the author. I become a slave to them. When this starts to happen, I usually take a break. Perhaps I am crazy… 

 

 

WP: Who is your favorite protagonist and who is your favorite villain in Cerulean Isle?

 

Browning: I had a lot of fun with Cerulean Isle. Again, I fought often with the characters over control of the story. They wanted to say things that I did not foresee and at times, do things that I thought were unnecessary. I lost a lot of these battles and they took over. They made it the story that it is, not me. (So if you don’t like it, take it up with them!)

 

My favorite protagonist is certainly Jacob. He is the main character and he and I have a lot in common. I pulled from own life experiences to help develop Jacob; however, he has his own identity that I admire.

 

My favorite villain is…well, I can’t say without spoiling the story!

 

WP: What is your favorite book or books?

 

Browning: I have always felt that reading good stories helps tell good stories. Some of my favorite books and authors are: The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, Dracula by Bram Stoker, anything by Sidney Sheldon, It by Stephen King, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, Anywhere Tomorrow and Blood Forest by Jonathan Taylor

 

WP: Why did you decide to submit your manuscript to WiDo?

 

Browning: You may not believe this, but it is the truth. I had been submitting to publishers and literary agents all over the world for a year and half. The rejection letters were overwhelming and beginning to wear me down. I was working off a specific website that lists publishers and agents alphabetically and I had been rejected all the way to ‘W’. One night I was looking through the listings and my wife, Devin, came into the room and sat beside me. I turned to her and said, “How about you pick a publisher for me?” She glanced at the list of ‘W’ names and saw WiDo Publishing. She pointed to it and said, “how about that one?” I shrugged and clicked on the listing. I checked out WiDo Publishing’s website and sent my submission electronically. I thought nothing of it until I got a prompt, and kind, response from Allie Maldonado. Now, here I am! Even today Devin likes to say playfully, “you should have had me pick one a long time ago!” I think she’s right. So, to all you hopefuls out there, my advice is simple: have your wife pick the publisher! It will save you a lot of time. Thanks Devin! I couldn’t have done it without you.