"While the stories are fiction, the journey is real."

Website: https://www.cwhawes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CWHawes1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cw_hawes

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/CW-Hawes/e/B00PGAIQ2S

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CW Hawes is a fiction writer and award-winning poet. His interests are wide ranging and this is reflected in both the genres and the contents of his books. He writes in the post-apocalyptic, mystery, alternative history, and horror genres at present. His love of fine food, interesting locations, philosophy, music, art, books, and history can be seen in each of his tales.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, CW spent 49 years in the Land of 10,000 Lakes (aka Minnesota), and now proudly hails from the Lone Star State (aka Texas).

He hasn’t met a pizza he doesn’t like (okay, he detests pineapple), is something of a tea snob, and rocks out to Handel and Vaughan Williams.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? What/who inspired you to publish your first book?

Since I cannot remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer, I don’t know where my interest in writing originated. Although, I suspect it came from the books my mother read to me when I was very young.

I’d have to say my own desire to see my work in print was what inspired me to publish, starting with the production in high school of a play I wrote.

How much of your books are realistic? Are the experiences based on someone you know, or are they events in your real life?

Everything is real, yet not real. Perhaps we could say my books are a composite of reality, blended with a lot of imagination. Anthony Trollope wrote that our characters are not real people, but composites of the real people that we know. I think he was spot on.

What is your current project? Will you share a little of it with us – kind of a sneak peek?

At present, I have 2 projects I’m working on: the final edits for the 8th book in the Pierce Mostyn Paranormal Investigations series, which I plan on publishing the end of March; and writing the 8th and 9th books in the Justinia Wright Private Investigators Mystery series.

In his latest adventure, Mostyn and his team go to Antarctica where they encounter all manner of monsters. There is a surprise ending, but I won’t say any more.

Tina and Harry, as usual, find themselves involved in murder and mayhem, and Tina has to do a lot of thinking to find out who the culprits are. All for a hefty fee, of course.

What do you do in the ‘real world’ when you’re not writing?

Wait. Real world? Aren’t our books the real world, and we live in a dream? 

In the so called real world, I’m a retired guy who likes to cook and eat good food, play chess and other board games, read, listen to classical music, and spend time in silence and solitude.

What are the challenges in writing your books? (Ex: logistical, research, literary, psychological, etc)

The only challenge I have in writing my books is in dealing with interruptions. Murphy and his law have a nasty habit of showing up at the most inopportune times. But that is life. And I just deal with it and continue on.

Are there any quotes or verses you find inspiring? What are they and why?

I have a quote and a saying that provide comfort and a measure of inspiration.

The Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote, “Life is opinion.” Or in a more expanded translation: Life is whatever you think it is.

Practically speaking, that means good and bad is in our minds. They are constructs we make of reality. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade is another way to think about it. Or Paul’s verse in Romans: All things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.

The saying I find very helpful is: The only constant is change. This works 2 ways: when “good” things happen, enjoy them now — because they are not permanent, they will go away; and when “bad” things happen — understand that they won’t last forever.

Tell us a little about yourself. Perhaps something that a lot of people do not know?

I’m enjoying retirement like a kid enjoys an all day lollipop. It’s the greatest invention ever. I love the freedom to do what I want, when I want.

Yet, I’m pretty much a creature of habit. I like my routines.

As for what a lot of people don’t know about me, most don’t know I write my books longhand, using a fountain pen, dip pen, or pencil. They also probably don’t know I was once a Baptist minister.

Are you a planner or a pantser when it comes to writing? (Planner – outline; Pantser – sit down and write)

I’m definitely a pantser. I have no fear of the blank page and generally have little problem writing the story. If I do get stuck, I just switch to a different story.

Contrary to what many believe about pantsers, that they have to go through numerous rewrites to create the story out of all of their scribbles, I’m a very linear writer. I do not have deleted scenes or any excess writing. The “final” draft is virtually no different from the first.

If there was anything you could change regarding your publishing experience, what would it be and why? Also, do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

In November 2014, I published 4 books in 4 widely different genres. That was a mistake. It made marketing and writing much more difficult. There was no way to tie all the genres together. It was as if I was 4 different authors, which in a sense I was.

In retrospect, what I should’ve done was have 4 books in one series ready to go and then release them one each month for 4 months. That would have given me rapid release traction to get sales and assist in marketing. Then, while the first series was releasing, start work on a second series in a closely related genre — which would have allowed me to send readers from one series to the other. Thus potentially reaching more readers.

I also wish I would have started building my mailing list early in 2014, along with setting up my website and building a social media presence. That way, I would have had a reader base ready for when the books started coming out.

I always encourage anyone thinking about writing to read Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke. Particularly the first letter. That first letter is the best lesson in self-examination I’ve found. It gets to the root of whether or not writing is for you.

I also advise the aspiring writer to not get suckered in by all the people promising success if you buy this course or that training. Because they’ll take your money and you’ll most likely find the promises empty. There are no magic wands. There’s no fast way to earn a living by writing. Sure some get lucky. But they are 1 among many thousands. And actually many of the people who make a living at writing, don’t. They make their money selling courses and being affiliates selling other people’s courses. That is particularly true of non-fiction writers.

Lastly, I tell aspiring writers that writing is easy — but writing well is not. There is no substitute for learning how to write well except by writing lots of stories. Ray Bradbury urged the neophyte to write one short story a week. By the end of the year, he said, you should have a few good stories.

A potter doesn’t learn how to throw pots, except by doing so over and over again. A musician doesn’t learn an instrument except by putting in many thousands of hours of practice. It’s the same with writing. 

And by writing, I don’t mean write one story or book and then rewrite it until perfect. That doesn’t work. It’s writing lots and lots of new stories. Each one building on what was learned in the previous one. That is how you learn to write well.

Reading is also essential for a writer. I’m amazed at all the writers who say they don’t have time to read. That’s like a musician saying he doesn’t have time to listen to music. Or a chef saying he doesn’t have time to eat. Does that even make sense? Read the work of the greats. Read the work of your peers. Then take the things you like and put them into your own work. And take out of your work the things you don’t like in what you read. That’s how you hone your craft.

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Yes, there is. It’s Thank You! Thank you for reading my books and letting me be a part of your life. Thank you for letting me bring a bit of joy to your world. I appreciate you and value you. Thank you for letting me serve you.