I went twenty years being too afraid to write. Not anymore. I’m having a blast.

Mark W. Sasse – 27 October, 2013

The Back Flap

The Recluse Storyteller weaves five stories into one as the loner Margaret not only searches for meaning from her reclusive life, but also gives meaning in the most unexpected ways to the troubled souls of her apartment complex. Part adventure, part tragedy, and part discovery, The Recluse Storyteller bridges genres, bringing hope and redemption to the broken relationships of modern society.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Recluse Storyteller is about a middle-aged woman named Margaret, who uses her neighbors in her apartment block as inspiration for the stories that she tells out loud to herself. She develops a fascination, if not an obsession, with spying on her neighbors, which sends her into a trance-like state where she tells four distinct stories. But circumstances in her life leads the recluse in an unexpected direction as her stories start to get intertwined with the real lives of her neighbors.

When did you start writing the book?

I wrote the novel in the summer of 2012 over a two-month period. From that point, I continued editing and getting feedback from advanced readers. I’m thrilled to finally get it into print.

How long did it take you to write it?

Not long. Typically, once I get the idea, the story flows rather easily.  By June 2012, I was about 3000 words into the story. A month later, I had written more than 50,000 words and had the first draft completed.

Where did you get the idea from?

It’s funny that it all started with a picture of a woman in my mind, looking out her second story window onto the street watching a man in a red baseball cap. That’s all it took. I started thinking about what would make a woman be fascinated by a man in a red hat? From there, I let me imagination take control. It was a very fun exercise in discovery and creativity.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggled a little with trying to make all the stories that the recluse told become meaningful in unusual ways to her neighbors. Eventually, it all just fit, for which I am very glad.

What came easily?

The story related to the Vietnam War came easily, I suppose, because I had lived there for over ten years. I’m so accustomed to the Vietnam setting that the story and culture flowed easily.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My characters in The Recluse Storyteller are completely fictitious except for one of the characters in the story Margaret told about Vietnam. There is a story about a man named Vinh who was a preacher and desired to go into prison to bring hope to the inmates. This is loosely related to a man I used to know where something like that happened. The details and names were completely different, but the amazing story remained.

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?

Honestly, I’m not much of a reader anymore. I’ve done plenty of it in the past. I was even an English major in college so I hit many of the classics. Nowadays, I find that I don’t need creative inspiration. I have plenty of it. I just need to time to write. So when I do have time, I tend to write, not read.

Do you have a target reader?

I’m not a genre writer. I don’t write about vampires or sci-fi or dystopian fantasies. I write about real-life and real people in, hopefully, creative ways. I think my stories attract readers who like substance, enjoy thinking about issues and circumstances, and just like to be pulled along in interesting and new directions.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I take an idea and charge into it head-on. I’m not much of an outliner. I love creative discovery. I love getting a spur of the moment idea and charging off in unexpected directions.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

As I mentioned above, no. But once the ideas come, I do tend to jot down what comes to my mind. Possibly just a sentence or two that gives me some direction.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I used to just fly along and not worry about editing. However, I’ve somewhat changed. Now when I write, I realize how easy it is be a little more careful in my editing. This makes my life much easier in the future.

Did you hire a professional editor?

For The Recluse Storyteller, I hired someone who is not a professional editor by trade but is very talented at editing. Perhaps someday she will be a professional. For now, I’m just glad she helped me.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did not submit this work to agents. I am very happy to go the indie route on this one.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I realized that I love being in control of my own destiny. I am my own biggest fan. And so I use that to promote and hopefully get people to try my writing. This is a great time to be an indie writer.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I hired an artist friend of mine to design the cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I do have a plan. But I’ve learned to adapt and try new things if something isn’t working. I’ve been through the process before with my first book so I’ve learned a lot about what is and isn’t effective. But there is still a lot to learn.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Only do it if you are passionate about writing. Don’t do it to make money. Do it for the joy you receive in the creative process. Any money that you do make is just bonus.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in western Pennsylvania just north of Pittsburgh. I’m a huge, long-suffering Pirates fan, who is thrilled to death to have a successful season after 20 long years.

Where do you live now?

I currently live in Malaysia. I teach history and drama. I write plays and novels. I love the tropical climate.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I went twenty years being too afraid to write. Not anymore. I’m having a blast.

What are you working on now?

Two main things. I’m very excited that I just completed my third novel entitled The Reach of the Banyan Tree. This is the novel I’ve been trying to write for a dozen years and finally it has come to fruition. I’m so excited about it. It’s my longest novel set in the year 2000 and the year 1945 Vietnam. It’s currently being read by a select group of advance readers. It’s scheduled for a 2014 release.

I’m also writing a full-fledged Broadway-style musical which I will be producing for the stage in the first half of 2014. I’m working with a group of high school students on this project. It’s a lot of fun. I’m blessed to be able to do what I do.

End of Inteview:

For more from Mark visit his website and his Goodreads page, or like his facebook page.

Get your copy of The Recluse Storyteller from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords.