I wondered how people who are totally unprepared for a true collapse, who have no skill with weapons, don’t know how to cure meats, and would go into a deep depression without television and the Internet (people like me) would respond.įor the core of the story, I wanted a character who is clinging to some aspect of our world that would seem out of place during the collapse of civilization, something that would underscore his denial of what was really happening. There is such an astonishing disconnect between what scientists are saying about the dangers facing us, and our response to their warnings. TQ: What inspired you to write Soft Apocalypse? People cling to the lives they used to live and try not to notice. TQ: Describe Soft Apocalypse in 140 characters or less. I’m so grateful to them for the guidance and insights they gave me. The most direct influence on my writing has been the writers who served as my teachers, first at Clarion, then at Taos Toolbox: James Patrick Kelly, Kelly Link, Walter John Williams, Maureen McHugh, Nalo Hopkinson, Richard Paul Russo, Howard Waldrop. I think Stephen King has had a big influence on my writing, because I’ve been reading him since I was a kid, so his influence has permeated all the different periods of my life. Will: Robert Reed, Vonda McIntyre, Kim Stanley Robinson, Dan Simmons, Stephen King, Richard Russo, Pat Conroy, Nick Hornby, Michael Chabon, Johnathan Lethem.
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing? I’m not thrilled about that, but it’s just not revealing itself yet. I’m working on my third novel right now, and the entire last 1/3 is pretty much unknown at this point. Often I have to be immersed in the story to see the characters clearly. The problem I struggle with is often I just can’t figure out what should happen until I’m actually writing. The stakes are so high with novels to just jump in and have faith that I’ll figure out the story as I go is unnerving. Large sections of the story are complete blank spaces when I start writing, but I like to have some idea what the beginning, middle, and end will look like so I know I’m not going to work on it for six months then realize it’s not going to work. I still have plenty of short stories that I’ve never finished because I got stuck at some point with no idea how to continue. Until a few years ago, when I was writing short stories exclusively, I was a total pantser. I can write sitting up, but I’m not comfortable that way. I’m stretched on either a couch or bed, propped with pillows. TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? Will's debut, Soft Apocalypse, was published in April 2011.
Please welcome Will McIntosh to The Qwillery as part of the 2011 Debut Author Challenge interviews.
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