In this intimate conversation, Stan Williams shares insights into his personal writing process and the emotional landscape of authorship.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I started writing business proposals to sell products and services.

Describe your writing space.

Surrounded by a library of 1,000 + books, computer screens, reference tools, and caffeine.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I must resolve urgent and seemingly unimportant tasks like email, bills, and, taking out the trash on Thursdays, or shoveling walks of snow in winter before my mind can focus on creative endeavors or work. Work for me is story consulting scripts sent by clients, or shipping books or DVDs for my small distribution company. When all those urgent but distracting tasks are out off my mind I can write. Unfortunately, by then, it’s early afternoon and my mind tires after 20-30 minutes and I have to take a 10 minute naps. So, it’s write for 30, nape for 10, until about 5:30 when I find I can write until nearly midnight without a break, save for dinner.

What is the most difficult part about writing for you?

Staying awake.

When you’re writing an emotionally draining (or sexy, or sad, etc) scene, how do you get in the mood?

I have the gift of a vivid imagination and find it very easy to get into the head, emotion, and crisis of the POV character I’m writing. I consider this a gift that I was given. I prefer to write scenes, after the initial omniscient description of the setting, to write only from one POV per scene and let it be overtly emotional, opinionated, and with an attitude. I love to write from a character’s aggravated perspective. I do not like passive characters. Not interested.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

The spiritual practice of deep contemplation is very helpful. I’m Catholic and I find it very helpful in my writing to spend time each day in contemplative prayer on the lives of the saints or Bible personages. I will spend a good 30 minutes a day with closed eyes and trying hard to imagine what it would be like to be present when a saint is martyred, or to witness a miracle of Christ up close. Perhaps I’m standing next to a well-known Biblical character like Samson when he slays 1,000 of Israel’s enemies, or with Samson when he brings the pagan temple roof down. What would that be like? There are the quieter times too, but contemplation of living in that world, and learning truths from those situations, enlivens and primes my imagination.

How do you deal with emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

I allow myself to cry or get angry without limitation. That brings be closer to my characters and the visceral truth they are living in. I know the scene works when I’ve read it over for the tenth time and still cry. A writer must remain open to emotional manipulation of the author. That is our purpose.

How do you handle literary criticism?

I have coached a hundred writers through the criticism they’ve received from readers. Criticism is absolutely necessary if the writing is going to improve. When the criticism is misplaced, biased, uninformed, and even prejudicial, such criticism must be objectively analyzed (after you’ve quieted down). If there is a hint of a good suggestion, I always take it seriously and try to make it work. But I will never force the revision of something that disrupts the flow of the story. The living dynamics of the story must always prevail. For criticism to be constructive, the writer must learn to be objective. There is no place for emotional attachment in judging criticism. (Irony intended)

How do you deal with poor reviews?

Like from a Kirkus reviewer that is uneducated, uninformed, or biased? I read them twice, think about them seriously, save them in a electronic folder, and never look at them again.

How do you do research for your books?

Read numerous books and internet articles on the background, history, industry, or country that my current story is about. I sometimes travel to the location and interview historians or individuals doing the work that my characters are doing.