I typically sit with my headphones on put my Pandora on shuffle and just write. If I have a day where nothing seems to come to mind I listen for a word in a song I react to emotionally and start to write around that word.
Andrew Paul Maksymowicz – 12 September 2013
The Back Flap
Juggling Chainsaws is a story about boy that was forced to grow up too soon and accept the responsibilities of an adult at a time when such responsibilities seem secondary at best. It’s a paradigm for dealing with uncertainty despite grief and learning to see only what’s important in life. It’s just enough pros (but not too much) to help you realize that whatever you have in life is worth fighting for and that there is comfort in knowing that your own fate is only in your own hands.
About the book
What is the book about?
Juggling Chainsaws is about my personal journey of self-exploration and self-discovery I went on after losing my parents to cancer. Using my parent’s diagnosis and passing as a starting block I talk about all of my challenges and accomplishments over the past decade of my life. I wanted to create a book that was honest, open and people could connect to. With easy to relate to philosophical observations, my experiences grieving and coping taught me how to survive life and recognize that I may not be able to control life, but I can control how I react to life.
When did you start writing the book?
I began writing this book over a year ago. I knew I wanted to discuss my experiences of losing my parents to cancer but I could not find the voice I wanted to use. I was trying out different writing styles and formats to see what I thought worked well. I wanted to create a work that people could take something from.
How long did it take you to write it?
Once I found my voice the book just flowed. Words seem to appear on the computer screen and I was able to finish the whole book in just 3 months. I worked quickly using the previously scrapped ideas from my past attempts at my book to help figure out what needed to go where.
Where did you get the idea from?
The idea for Juggling Chainsaws came from my past. I lost my dad to cancer at age 19 and my mom to cancer when I was 25. From the age of 18-26 I embarked on an odyssey of self-exploration. A journey that allowed me to explore all areas of grief while I coped with my losses. I felt I had practical knowledge on how to handle death, hardships and just plain being lost in life. I was also against some of the prescribed truth books about death out on the market. I wanted to provide an honest memoir that did not come wrapped with a bow. I wanted to show how hard yet how beautiful life is.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I struggled with much of the book. My struggles were an emotional fight. Writing Juggling Chainsaws forced me to dig deep into my mind and soul and write what poured out. It was very difficult reliving both parent’s final hours over and over again to make my book powerful, relatable and meaningful.
What came easily?
Juggling Chainsaws was in me. I always knew that. The easiest part was I understood I had this book inside of me and my story needed to be told.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
This book is my memoir so includes a few people from my life. I wanted to include as few people as possible because I had a voice and idea I wanted to stay inside. My message was more about the internal battle I felt and my attempt to break it down in an easily digestible manner. I didn’t mention many others because I don’t want to speak for others.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Growing up I was a major fan of anything Stephen King. I feel in love with the depth of his characters. He showed people’s layers, I found I could put myself in his character’s shoes. The past few years I have been reading C.S Lewis, Norman Mailer and Søren Kierkegaard. All three explore the depths of the human spirit and consciousness as you travel and grow through life. I am certainly attracted to philosophy now as I grow older and have more life experiences.
Do you have a target reader?
I would say my target audience is anyone who has experienced a loss in life of any kind. Or for a person who feels they lack direction or are confused about life. One of my readers told me the emotions I discuss about death mirrored her feelings while she was getting divorced. Which makes sense in my mind because I feel death and heartbreak have many commonalities. I made my book easy to read for a reason, I wanted everybody who sees it to read it.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My writing process for writing speeches for my speaking to blog posts to my book all start with a notepad. I have a collection of notepads that contain every word I have ever thought of. I find the process of writing by hand freeing to my mind. I typically sit with my headphones on put my Pandora on shuffle and just write. If I have a day where nothing seems to come to mind I listen for a word in a song I react to emotionally and start to write around that word.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I would not call myself an author who outlines. I would say I organize what I have. I typically find that I write with little direction and somehow (knock on wood) the chapters and layout just falls into place.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Since I write in my notepad first, part of my process is editing as I transfer from my notepad to my computer. The transferring is my favorite part of when I am writing. I am not a huge fan of editing, I like creating and when I transfer to my computer I am able to flush out or take away parts.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I do. One of my best friends I grew up with has an editing company. He would edit my school papers, now we work together. I love using him because he knows how my mind works and he can understand anything I give him.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes, 85% of the time. I always have headphones on though. I enjoy the feeling of being in my own world and creating my own environment to work in and my headphones capture that feeling.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I haven’t. Not yet at least, I am curious to see who comes to me.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
The one aspect of my book I knew from day one was I wanted to self-publish. I could see a swing in popularity of people who are self-publishing. I saw it as an opportunity to get in at ground level or close to. I am also impatient and wanted to get my book released as soon as I could.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I feel you can tell by just one look it was done myself. Well my friend actually, he took the picture with my cellphone. Isn’t technology awesome! My cover takes some people by surprise and shock. I wanted to show a side of me I don’t show, I hate being shirtless. However I pour out all my sides in my book and wanted to show my vulnerable side saying ‘here I am.’
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have a loose plan for how I would like to market my book but, by nature I am a winger, so I have factored that into my plan.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Explore, see what is out there. I was blown away with the amount of tools and resources for Indie authors. Tools that may not have worked for me may work well for you.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Rhode Island until I was 23. I was a kid who grew up running around in the woods and swimming in ponds, looking back it was a pretty ideal scene for a kid.
Where do you live now?
I have lived in New York City for the past four years and am proud to call it home. I have many friends I grew up with living in the city as well which makes it feel like home.
What would you like readers to know about you?
Hmmm … where to begin!? This is one of those questions that I will be thinking about after and wishing I had answered differently when the interview is posted. For right now I would like the readers to know I didn’t give up on myself. I planted my feet firmly in the ground even when the tasks in front of me seemed impossible. I realized at a young age no matter what happens in life I can survive and make life work for me.
What are you working on now?
I have my hands full, working as a motivational speaker I am gearing up to go to high schools and colleges across the country this school year. I am also about to release the first book in a new bi-monthly series Too Much Too Soon guide to.. This month will be the guide to being broke – the formative years. It is about how to survive after high school to after college while being broke. I write from evidence on my own life about dating, paying bills and getting assistance during college. I also am hoping to publish my children’s book, currently untitled but it will be a Juggling Chainsaws for children.
End of Interview:
For more, visit Andrew’s website, follow him on twitter, or like his facebook page.
Get your copy of Juggling Chainsaws from Amazon US or Amazon UK.