Robert W. Walker

answers the Usual Questions

Robert W. Walker and Pongo

American author Robert W. Walker says, "At an early age, 12-13 perhaps, I began writing as most do, to gain some control on the chaos of life. "

He holds a Graduate Masters in English Education and has taught a range of writing courses.

Has your interaction with fans, for example, at conventions, affected your work?

I have more interaction today on social media with fans than anywhere else; I have slowed on conventions but the social network is great for interactions with fans. I happen to love, even crave feedback, so it's great for this author, and I listen closely to readers and do my best to be responsive.

I have 3 Facebook pages, I twitter, I do Tumbler, and do a few chat groups. My one FB page under Robert W. Walker (Rob) is actually a How-To advice page.

Is there any particular incident (a letter, a meeting, a comment that stands out?

Oh my...I have had so many great and positive comments, reviews, letters, but one six-pager from Dean R. Koontz giving me advice I solicited from ten bestselling authors, that was my most joyful moment, to have someone of his stature give an honest, sincere response to my letter to him. I took all his advice to heart and never looked back. Then there was that letter from a young girl asking if I thought she was a weird kid because she loved my horror and crime novels. I set her straight! HA!

Do you have a favourite author or book (or writer or film or series) that has influenced you or that you return to?

I have a number, starting with Mark Twain, Shakespeare, the Classics, on to Rod Serling and his Twilight Zone TV program, then there's Martin Cruz Smith for style, Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson, William Peter Blatty. Too many to count and am sure I have left out some great ones like E.A. Poe and Dickens.

Who is the person you would most like to be trapped in a lift with? or a spaceship?

Alive - President B. Obama, out of time: Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Einstein, Shakespeare (the real one). Not sure they would tolerate me.

Who is the person you would most DISlike to be trapped in a lift with? Or a spaceship?

That is a tough question as there are so many...hehehe. I would have to say the disgusting Rock Star turned political commentator in US named Ted Nugent.

What would you pack for space? (Is there a food, beverage, book, teddy bear, etc that you couldn't do without?)

The Complete works of Shakespeare and same for Mark Twain. If I can only have on volume, I'd have to go with Shakespeare. Rudyard Kipling comes in a close third.

What is the most important thing you would like to get/achieve from your work?

A bit of recognition would be nice but a good deal more SALES would be even nicer. The lament of all writers, I suppose. Like Van Gogh, I do it for the passion and the love of the work, but I do hope after I have passed away that somewhere some young reader is inspired by a line or two left behind by yours truly. I actually got into writing because I wished to leave something behind.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

It fulfils a calling or a passion or a love or all three deep within me; it fends off harsh reality and allows me to go into worlds that my imagination and craft have tinkered on and labored over until that world has a sense of its own reality. Hard to put into words the feeling of accomplishment in CREATION, but there you have it.

submitted by Robert W. Walker

26 Nov 2014

For other answers to The Usual Questions Click here

Just the facts:
Born: Corinth, Mississippi USA in 1948, raised from a very young age in Chicago, Illinois USA.
Resides: Charleston, West Virginia USA
Bibliography/Awards:
http://www.amazon.com/Robert-w.-Walker/e/B000APAUAU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 I am twice recipient of the Lovey Award for Crime Novels in my Instinct Series and my City for Ransom Series.

Web site:
www.robertwalkerbooks.com
Facebook
Twitter

For posts about Melbourne events, places, news, reviews, giveaways, see our Facebook Page:

www.festivale.info
ISSN 1328-8008