Reading time: About 1 minute
Nicholas Read likes to remind writers that words on a page — any words — are always better than a blank page….
Nicholas Read is a former journalist and journalism instructor and a passionate defender of animal rights. Now retired, he still writes the occasional column for the Vancouver Sun newspaper.
He is the author of six non-fiction books: The Salmon Bears, The Sea Wolves, The Great Bear Sea, City Critters, A Home Away from Home and Caring for Critters. He is also author of two young-adult novels: One In A Million and Saving Emily.
I was excited to ask Nick some questions about writing.
Q. Roughly how much time do you spend writing every day?
I don’t write every day because I don’t have a book contract at the moment. All I write at the moment are newspaper columns.
Q. What’s a simple activity or habit that makes you a better writer?
Reading.
Q. What interferes with your writing?
Not having a book contract.
Q. How do you persuade yourself to sit down to write on days when you really, really DON’T feel like doing it?
I have to say I never feel that way. Writing is always a pleasure. That’s why I wish I had a book contract.
Q. Is there a particular motto or saying that you’ve found helpful for writing?
I don’t know if it’s a motto or saying, but my advice would be “Just put down something. Words on a page are always better than a blank page. Don’t forget, they can always be changed.
Q. Which stage of the writing process do you enjoy the most: researching, writing or editing/rewriting and why?
Editing. I love improving my writing because it can always be improved. Even when it’s been published, I can see how it could have been improved.
Q. What’s the best book you’ve read (either fiction or non) in the last five years?
Fluke: Chance, Chaos and Why Everything We Do Matters, by Brian Klaas.
Q. What book are you reading right now?
Less is Lost, by Andrew Sean Greer (it’s very good too)
Q. What do you think is the biggest misperception that new writers have about the act of writing?
That publishing isn’t all about money.