Welcome back for the conclusions of our chat with Madeleine Holly-Rosing, author of Boston Metaphysical Society.
Read Part One here.
Read Part Two here.
Read Part Three here.
Airship Ambassador: For the aspiring writer, what lessons did you learn about having an editor, their feedback, and your writing?
Madeleine Holly-Rosing: I’ve worked with managers, a few editors (some hired), and lots of beta readers. However, I almost wish every writer was forced to go to film school so they get used to their ass being handed to them on a daily basis and develop a thick skin. That way when you get notes from people you don’t take it personally. I’ve had to do page one rewrites not because what I had written was bad, but because rewriting it made it better. You also have to learn how to distinguish when a note is directed at you personally, learn to ignore it, and focus on what it may be telling you between the lines. I’ve gotten notes from people who irritated the hell out of me, but once I stripped away their personality and listened to the “notes behind the notes” I usually learned something valuable.
AA: “rewriting it made it better” Sometimes, that it the honest truth and often worth considering. One exercise we had to go through in a landscape design class was creating three entirely different designs for a given space. There’s no one way to design, no singular solution. The same happens in writing, when we box ourselves into a corner, or feel that things just don’t ‘feel right’, or, ahem, when a draft is lost or deleted. Purely by accident , of course. Talking about readers, and writers needing to be readers, what would you say your ratio of reading to writing is/was?
MHR: I think that is absolutely true. You must be a student before you are a teacher. I used to read a lot, but with my schedule now it’s hard. Sometimes I have to choose between reading and sleeping and sleeping usually wins.
AA: Ugh, isn’t that the sad truth? Books have a Siren’s call to them, but Sleep always has the last word. As a reader, what has made you stop reading something before finishing it?
MHR: If I don’t care about the characters or if the writer hasn’t done their research into the world of that character and they do really stupid things, I’ll stop. I use to be okay with a slow burn start to a book, but now I can’t tolerate it. Or Adam and Eve stories. They have been done to death.
AA: Oh yes, being apathetic about the characters is the kiss of death. How would you say that you have changed over time?
MHR: Writing comics has made me a better writer. Because of the page and panel limitations, you are forced to pare down the story to its essentials while still developing story and character. It requires you to know your characters and world very well before you even start.
AA: Know your subject matter. What useful skills have you picked up along the road of writing?
MHR: Patience and time management.
AA: What story would you like to write but haven’t, yet?
MHR: The House Wars and related stories focusing on the individual Great Houses around the country.
AA: Woo hoo! That means more books! Do people outside the regular reading, steampunk, and convention communities recognize you for Boston Metaphysical Society?
MHR: No. BMS is pretty niche, so I don’t expect anyone outside comics and steampunk to recognize it or me.
AA: If you weren’t an author, what else would you be doing now?
MHR: I’d always be a writer.
AA: Hmm, that seems like an easy answer. Alright, aside from writing, is there a day job filling in the gaps between writing?
MHR: I work part time for LA Fitness as an instructor, but the rest of the time is devoted to running my crowdfunding consulting business, writing, working Cons, and managing production. I’m essentially running a small business and the administrative part takes up an enormous amount of time. Fortunately, my husband works full time so we can eat. LOL
AA: Looking beyond steampunk, writing and working, what other interests fill your time?
MHR: I like to read and if we weren’t in a drought, I’d garden.
AA: Yeah, droughts play havoc with gardening. Even the great pacific Northwest gets its summer droughts. Do you participate in any other fandoms?
MHR: I love science fiction, fantasy and ancient military history.
AA: Items in the To-be read pile right now?
MHR: Monstress, SAGA Vol. 8, Bands of Mourning, Lady Killer Vol. 2, Clockwork Heart
AA: I know it’s a common question but who are the people you consider an inspiration, role model, or other motivating influence?
MHR: Yes, Christina Strain, Nunzio DeFillippi, John Scalzi, and Lois McMaster Bujold.
AA: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
MHR: Get your butt in the chair and write.
AA: When you do interviews, what is something that you wish you were asked about but haven’t been?
MHR: This is the most extensive interview I’ve ever done, so no. (hahahaha)
AA: Excellent! Any final thoughts to share with our readers
MHR: If you have read my work, thank you. If you haven’t, give it a chance. It might surprise you. And thank you for the interview!
Thanks, Madeleine, for joining us for this interview and for sharing all of your thoughts. We look forward to hearing about your next projects!
Check out that Kickstarter, or get your copy afterward.
Keep up to date with Madeleine’s latest news on her website.
You can support Madeleine and our community by getting your copy of Boston Metaphysical Society here.
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