A New Interview with Chuck Harp, Author of WORKING TITLE & WHAT MUST GO ON

If you could cook dinner for any author, dead or alive, who would it be? What would you make?  
Without question Hunter S. Thompson, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind I can’t cook and would be cool with a couple burgers and a lot of beers.
 
What scares you the most about the writing process? How do you combat your fears?
The editing process has got to be the worst. It’s like looking under the rug at all the crap you overlooked.
 
Who is your biggest literary crush, author or character? 
Does Elektra from Marvel Comics count?
 
What books are on your nightstand? 
The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe and Mario Puzo’s The Sicilian.
 
Favorite punctuation mark? Why?  
The question mark. Just because it makes the reader unsure if what they are reading should even matter. It’s almost like the writer and reader are attached by handcuffs.
 
What book were you supposed to read in high school, but never did?
1984 by George Orwell
 
What inanimate object would you thank in your acknowledgements? 
The inanimate carbon rod.
 
If you could write an inspirational quote on the mirrors of aspiring writers, what would you write? 
Do whatever the hell you want.
 
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Energize.
 
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
The Internet, noisy neighbors, and the worst of them all….overthinking.
 
What is your writing Kryptonite?
In terms of process, it will always be writing a beginning.
 
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
Yes and no. It’s more that I’ve written myself into a corner and need some time to figure out how to escape.
 
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
I’m sure they can. But it must be a whole lot harder. But try and think of those serial killers walking amongst us. They can put on a smile too.
 
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
My friend, author Benjamin DeVos, who basically told me to submit my poetry. But other inspirational creatives that write in other forms are:
-       musicians Jon Carlucci and Phill Lien
-       rapper Internal Rhyme
-       writers Angelo Ciccio and Adam Mitropoulos.
 
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I think the style and themes are the overall connection. Besides that they simply stand on their own.
 
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
The very first book I wrote (which was not, and never will be, published) was me trying too hard. Overthinking, and adding in bits of nonsense that I wrote off as “flavor” or “style”.
 
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
With the very first check I got from writing I put gas in my car. I guess that.
 
What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
If I disliked them, they pretty much never entered my life again.
 
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
Probably around the time I got into hip hop. Everything from the use of graffiti to rap itself.
 
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
The Rum Diaries by Hunter S. Thompson.
 
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Probably a tortoise. Maybe like that one in the old Guinness ads.
 
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?
A beer or two.
 
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have 2 novels and 4 poetry collections.
 
What does literary success look like to you?
Freedom.
 
What’s the best way to market your books?
When I figure it out I’ll get back to you.
 
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I try not to think about it and just write.
 
What did you edit out of this book?”
I think there was a suicidal poem that I deleted. Who wants that?
 
If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
Probably still have my current job and be a weekend bartender.

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