Ask the Author: Barry Stewart Levy
Answered Questions (9)
Barry Stewart Levy
Well, summer is practically over...and I read and reread a number of novels, including ones by Agatha Christie, Alberto Moravia, Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, William Golding and John Knowles. Currently I am reading Don DeLillo's "Zero K." I may read for the first time "Frankenstein" or some crime novels by authors whom I've not read before such as books by Lee Child, Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly.
Barry Stewart Levy
I looked in the mirror and did not recognize my reflection. "Who are you?" I whispered, terrified of learning the truth.
Barry Stewart Levy
I would enter the world of Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited" and attend Oxford where I would converse in intellectual discussions while sipping cocktails and smoking cigarettes. My fellow students and I would languish upon the grounds of the campus, pretending to be terribly bored while laughing a great deal.
Barry Stewart Levy
Years ago I read Jerzy Kosinski's "Steps," an award-winning short novel with a fascinating main character who narrates the episodic tale. The protagonist is a nameless sojourner, manipulative, vindictive, intelligent, and sexual. The language is crisp and spare.
The book stayed with me for quite awhile. I drew upon some of the main character's traits, though the nameless narrator of my novella is far more vulnerable and troubled.
As I wrote "European Son: a novella.," I found myself influenced by Camus' "The Stranger" and Ian McEwan's "The Comfort of Strangers," as well as by dialogue by Pinter and visuals by Hitchcock.
The book stayed with me for quite awhile. I drew upon some of the main character's traits, though the nameless narrator of my novella is far more vulnerable and troubled.
As I wrote "European Son: a novella.," I found myself influenced by Camus' "The Stranger" and Ian McEwan's "The Comfort of Strangers," as well as by dialogue by Pinter and visuals by Hitchcock.
Barry Stewart Levy
Reading books, book reviews, seeing films, daydreaming, recalling my dreams, observing people on the street or in a park, going to museums or just being open to my thoughts, feelings and to life.
Barry Stewart Levy
So far I have four poems and a short story for a book I am working on. I am trying to create a longer narrative, experimental in structure and content, that I would also include in the book.
Barry Stewart Levy
Read a lot. And write often. Keep a daily log of the day, date and times you begin and finish writing. Even if it's just for ten minutes. Do it again after taking a break. Then total up the minutes and hours. Do this a week at a time. If you like, set a daily goal for yourself, say two hours. Total up those minutes and hours for the week. You'll have tangible proof that you've, at the very least, made an effort to write.
Barry Stewart Levy
Freedom! The freedom to write what I want and, hopefully, when I want. The freedom to create characters and the worlds they live in. The freedom to manipulate my characters and my readers' emotions, thoughts and expectations. And the freedom to write the books that I, myself, would want to read.
Barry Stewart Levy
Writer's block is fear. And, yes, there are times when I'm feel very anxious about getting to the desk. So perhaps I read something to stimulate my mind. Or I'll simply force myself to sit at the desk and take a deep breath and write anything. Even if it's just for a short while. At least that will start the process.
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