I started writing Magical Realism because I enjoyed the freedom it allowed. In Magical Realism, strange things are allowed to happen without reason. Want have a talking bird? Sure, why not. Want the Mayan gods to make an appearance? Go for it. In my book, magical elements—such as a talking bird and Mayan gods—are used to portray over arching themes.
I first became fascinated with Magical Realism when I started reading South American authors like Paulo Coelho in a college Spanish class. I noticed that Latin American authors used the genre to create a sense of mysticism and awe. I found the mix of the magical and the mundane to be beautiful.
What do you find most challenging about the writing process, and how do you deal with it?
I am easily discouraged. Not only in writing, but in everything else as well. If my book comes to a bump in the road or a scene isn’t working the way I would like for it to, I have to force myself to keep going. But sometimes I can’t. There are times when I will go several weeks or even months without touching my computer. In As the Sun Rises, after I finished most of Part One, I got discouraged and didn’t pick it back up until SIX MONTHS LATER. When I did get going again, I pulled a Jack Kerouac and had the manuscript finished in a week. I don’t force myself to write daily like most writers do. If I’m just not feeling it that day, I don’t write. Unless it is a non-fiction project, I don’t set writing deadlines. I want to enjoy the process, not be a slave driver to myself.
When and where do you do your writing?
I have a home office where I do most of my writing now. My desk was inherited from my father and I have a few paintings and a Star Wars poster hung on the walls. Behind my desk is a big window that lets in plenty of natural light. Painted on the wall next to my desk is the poem “Poetry” by Pablo Neruda.
I do most of my writing at night. During the day, I work as a youth pastor.. In addition to fiction, I write articles and resources on Youth Ministry.
What have you learned about promoting your books?
That it is harder than I imagined it would be. There are so many other books out there that are vying for people’s attention. Especially when you come from a small press and are a first time author, it is difficult to convince readers to give your book a shot.
What are you most proud of as a writer?
When I sit down at my desk and look over at my bookcase. Wedged between a few other books, I see my name printed on the spine of my book. Seeing that and knowing that someone else sees in on their self as well makes me immensely proud.
If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about?
Can I just throw a party and invite a bunch on them? No? Okay. If I had to pick one, I would have to go with Michael Crichton. I would want to talk to him about his books Jurassic Park and Time Line.
Author Bio
Nathan started writing back in high school when a friend convinced him to write a zombie survival story. From that moment he was hooked. He moved on from the zombie genre and became fascinated with Latin American literature and authors like Paulo Coelho and poets like Pablo Neruda. Their literary style was his first major influence. His second was his faith. When he was seventeen, Nathan encountered Jesus in an unfinished church in Brazil. Since then, Nathan has sought to serve Jesus in his writing and his vocation. Nathan and his wife Jessica live in North Carolina with their dog Riah.
Nathansmithswriting.com
On Twitter: @nathanswriting
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ZTxQm