Q:Maestro: In other interviews, you've mentioned wanting to write fiction but not having the time for it. Have you considered having a writing partner who would aid with the nuts-and-bolts of fiction, while you went into overdrive with the characters and setting?

onionvolcano

Because I’ve been associated for decades with book publishing [and, to a much lesser extent, film projects], I periodically receive manuscripts from writers seeking to get a foot in the door, so to speak, through the art director’s office. Unfortunately, I’ve learned the hard way that I apparently have no pull whatsoever in getting an editor or publisher to read anything I recommend.  I’ve submitted several manuscripts I thought showed promise, and to date I’ve never received a response. Nada.

I’ve worked with the writer Stephen R. Cox in developing some projects, most recently a screenplay…but we haven’t been successful in getting anyone to read it.

I can’t seem to get anyone to even consider Cox’s novels in the Mutant  Hunter series, which I’ve already done artwork for. So much for my “influence" in the publishing biz;-)   My experience, therefore, has pretty much extinguished any plans I might have had to be published in connection with any writing, other than non-fiction.

I do have some project ideas I’d like to develop, but I could only collaborate with a creative, patient, and established author. The thing is, I imagine all the authors I respect most highly are so full of ideas already they don’t need suggestions from me.

Several scenarios have been floating around in my head for years, ideas for potential stories. One pet publishing idea has been with me for over 20 years and is something I think would be fun to do, involving a set or 6 to 12 short works.  There are even a couple of fan fiction plots I’d love to develop, based on side characters in two of Stephen King’s books. These are derived from plot holes left dangling in two of his most popular stories, and I’ve often thought it would be fun to see where they could go. If I had the time I’d go ahead and write them anyway,  just  for the fun of it–and to get them out of my head and stop nagging me; I can’t seem to let them go. For the time being, however, art has eaten up my life.

Maybe it’s better that way. It seems rather presumptuous of me to play with someone else's’ creative inventions….but man, they are begging to be written!

Michael

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