What does it mean to be a writer? ~guest post by Tom Barczak

The Speculative Salon is pleased to feature fantasy author Tom Barczak as our guest today, explaining that incessant need of a writer to put words down.

 

My name is Tom Barczak, and I am a writer.

What does it mean to be a writer? Simply, it means I write. But more important for me, is the question, how do I do it, because frankly I really don’t have the time. Yet, still, I do write. I do it because I can’t not do it.

And to do it, I have to have balance.

Specifically, I’m a single father of three boys, an Architect during the day, along with some other things as well.

One thing I learned a long time ago, is that there is always enough time to do the things I’m supposed to do. If there’s a conflict, it’s usually because I’m doing something I’m not supposed to do, or maybe too much of something else. So I’ve got to have balance. 

I also try not to make excuses. My big one that has slowed me down in the past, is having unrealistic goals: The perfect space to write, enough time to write, the right mood to write, the right words to write. They’re all garbage.

What I’ve learned instead, is that I can write anywhere, on anything, I can write, yes, even five minutes at a time if I have to. I’ve learned that feelings mean nothing to my Muse as well. She can be tough, and if she doesn’t give me the words in front of me, then I’ve found she often gives me the ones before them, or behind them. I’ve learned its ok for me to bounce around. 

Why?

Because I personally believe that the story is already written. I’m just the translator. My Muse is my guide, who leads me down those paths I could never go down alone. So she shows me the words, the colors, the scents, the touch of a fabric that’s already been woven. 

So I can tell them to you.

So what do I write? Fantasy specifically.

I have 7 works published to date, with an eighth due out any day now.

My first six compose an illustrated Kindle serial called Awakening Evarun. 

Awakening Evarun presents the story that leads up to the seventh work, my debut illustrated novel, Veil of the Dragon, available in Trade Paperback and on Kindle. 

The eighth is the first part of my new illustrated Kindle serial, Fall of the Chosen.

Each of them share the same narrative, that of the Evarun, and of the Dragon, and the souls that both of them long for.

You can find out more about my work at www.tombarczak.com

I would really like to thank Marsha A. Moore for the opportunity to be here, and to share a little bit about my writing.

I do hope you enjoy it. 

My Muse picked out the words just for you.

God Bless.

Tom Barczak