Reading time: About 2 minutes
Scott T. Miller says that writing is neither all art nor all science. Instead, it requires a bit of both…
Scott T. Miller is an American science-fiction author, researcher, and educator. He received his PhD in Global and International Education from the University of Hawaii. His debut novel, The Below, was published in January 2026. Chris McKinney praised The Below as “dark, inventive cyberpunk noir that is the perfect blend of frantic action and slow burn mystery combined with heaps of heart.”
I was excited to talk to Scott about how he approaches writing.
Q. Roughly how much time do you spend writing every day?
I try to write two to three hours a day when I’m working on a project. Whether it was my dissertation or a novel, I tend to work best when the work is slow and steady!
Q. What’s a simple activity or habit that makes you a better writer?
Practicing editing. I think editing is easily the weakest skill for many writers — me included. I try not to shy away from writing and editing all types of works (academic, short story, novel, etc.) and it’s changed the way I look at everything I write.
Q. What interferes with your writing?
Focusing too much on expectations can lead to a bit of paralysis and prevent me from doing what is fun — writing. I also tend to struggle when my routine is interrupted. I find my resolve to write is often heavily influenced by my state of mind, so I try to ensure I practice self-care and keep healthy routines.
Q. How do you persuade yourself to sit down to write on days when you really, really DON’T feel like doing it?
I’ll try to schedule time when I know I’ll be feeling the best. Typically, I try to write after a workout with a lot of caffeine in my system. It also helps if I promise myself a milkshake after I’m done.
Q. Is there a particular motto or saying that you’ve found helpful for writing?
“You got this!” If I say it enough times, I typically convince myself and manufacture a positive mindset.
Q. Which stage of the writing process do you enjoy the most: researching, writing or editing/rewriting, and why?
I truly enjoy the editing/revising stage of writing. The story has been written and in the editing/revising stage, I am finally able to experience it wholly and find the heart and soul of it.
Q. What’s one of the best books you’ve read (either fiction or non) in the last five years?
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin.
Q. What book are you reading right now?
Piano Player by Kurt Vonnegut.
Q. What do you think is the biggest misperception that new writers have about the act of writing?
It’s all art or it’s all science. If you want to write a good story, you’re going to need both and a bit of magic too.
