Inside The Author’s Head: Colin F Barnes

July 27, 2013

Q1. What is your favorite word?

Miasma

Q2. What is your least favorite word?

No

Q3. How has social media helped your career?

Through it, I have met like-minded writers who I would later go on to collaborate with, reviewers who kindly reviewed my work, fellow-readers who I could talk about books with. Writing can be a lonely profession. Having a world of potential friends at my fingertips has helped me through some very dark times. This in itself has helped remain positive and thus productive.

Also, social media has acted like a hive mind for me. At terms when I’ve not been inspired, conversations and silly jokes online with the various people in my network has led me to story ideas, and helped me through barren spells.

Q4. What would you say are the downsides to social media in your career? 

Because of the addictive nature of connecting with people it can be a distraction, and I’m sure the constant notifications, need to check Facebook and Twitter etc, leads to a reduction of attention span. I sometimes finding myself in the middle of a paragraph shifting over to one of the networks to see if there’s been an update; it’s become at times an auto-response. I have, however, invested in blocking software that allows me to focus on writing for a user-defined block of time.

Q5. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I love films, so I would like to maybe either be a director, or perhaps a movie critic—although that might still be close to being a writer. When I was younger I wanted to be either an architect or an archeologist. The latter still appeals, and explains why I like stories of discovery

Q6. What profession would you not like to do?

My last one: Optical Lab Technician. It can be hard, dull work with little to no thanks, and zero job satisfaction. I did that job for more years that I care to remember, and a day doesn’t go by where I’m not grateful to be out of it.

Q7. What is your favorite curse word? 

I’m partial to douchenozzle. But in truth, the good ol’ workhorse ‘fuck’ gets used on a daily basis.

Q8. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

 “I’m sorry for being such a vicious, uncaring dick.”

Not only is Colin a writer he is also the high overlord of Anachron Press. Thanks for your time Colin!

Next Time: Ren Warom

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