Author Interview: Kevin Barrick

G'day folks! Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial weekend! I have returned with a fascinating interview with the author of "Creativity Brewing". I had read and reviewed this piece not too long ago and wanted to give you guys more insight into this writer's world. Enjoy!

J.E.

J.E.: Let's get right to it! How long did this entire compilation take to write? Were they written relatively in one time period or in spurts?
K.B.: It took about a month or two to write. I started with writing a blog where I wrote flash fiction each day, so that enabled me to have those creative juices flowing which allowed me to write rather fast. 
The stories were written in about a 4-story block, though I came up with a majority of the story ideas early on in one or two settings.

J.E.: I enjoyed how you liken these stories like a quick cup of coffee What made you come up with that analogy?
K.B.: I love coffee, and I think that drove the connection. When I began my blog, I likened creativity to being brewed like coffee. I ran with that and then made the theme of the book to encourage a daily reading of a new story with your morning cup of Joe (or tea). 

J.E.: I love myself a nice cup of coffee (and tea). And I think many people would agree! So, among all the flash fiction stories you've written, do you have a personal favorite?
K.B.: I think I would divide my answer into two sections. The one I love the most, and then the one I would love to take and create a longer story about.
For the one I love the most, I really enjoyed “Losing Control.” I often randomly read through my stories to get inspired on new ways to market my book, and every time I pass that story, I get struck with wonder, forgetting that I had written it. I love the concept of an enormous power swelling inside and trying to figure out how to deal with it.
The story I would love to write more on would be the mini-trilogy of “Reading in a Time of War,” “Contending for Culture,” and “The Dust-Coated Letter.” I have ideas on how to make it into a novel or novella, but I loved the connection between the power of words and the ability to reclaim a culture.

J.E.: Please let me know if /when you expand those stories. I'd love to read them! Now, what was the most challenging aspects of writing "Creativity Brewing"?
K.B.: One of the most challenging aspects in creating this collection was to write 30 stories that were totally different from each other. A few times I started working on an idea only to scrap it because it was too similar to another story already written.

J.E.:  When writing a compilation of short stories, did you have a science behind the ordering?
K.B.: During the writing phase, I didn’t have any sort of rhyme or reason to creating the different tales. I wrote from the heart. In the editing phase, though, I tried to spread out the darker stories so that the reader could have a breath of fresh air with a more light-hearted story. My idea in its spacing was to range from light-roast, medium-roast, and dark-roast, making sure they were evened out for a perfect blend.

J.E.: That's an excellent idea... Never thought about it that way...What is your next project?
K.B.: My next project to be published is the start of my novella series entitled “The Vial of Deziar.” It follows the experiences of a group of rebels in a village investigating the disappearance of one of their friends. They venture through the darkness only to find even darker secrets.
I have about three projects I am currently working on, but the novella should be the next to be published, although I am working on a short story that might end up being published sooner. 

J.E.: Again- keep me posted! :) As we wind down from this interview, tell me one thing about yourself that you enjoy doing other than writing!
K.B.: I enjoy cooking. I love to mix and match ingredients in the spur of the moment and come out with a delicious new meal. My favorite thing to cook is my cheesy chicken lasagna. The thing I cook most often is probably my skillet pizza!

J.E.: ME TOO! Sounds delicious. I'm into BBQ and smoking meats since it is grilling season now...
And last but not least, any tips for aspiring writers?
K.B.: My biggest tip for aspiring authors is to understand that it takes time to build any sort of audience. Don’t be dismayed if you publish a book and sales are low. There is a sociological aspect to buying books where you want to read what your friends are reading. As a new author, your book is in fewer hands and therefore there is a lacking to that sociological aspect. Keep marketing and plugging your book and eventually you will gain the readership you deserve

J.E.: THIS IS AMAZING ADVICE. Thank you for your time, Kevin! Folks can check out my review of "Creativity Brewing" by clicking the button below!

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"Creativity Brewing" Review

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Kevin Barrick is an independently published author from Kings Mountain, NC. He started writing early on in life, finishing his first unpublished novel around the age of 13. Since then, he's sharpened his skills through writing groups at local libraries, exploring poetry and non-fiction, and mastering his breakthrough novel. He has several works in progress at a time, always wanting to bring only the best to his readers.
Barrick currently lives in Ethiopia where he continues to write sipping on rich Ethiopian coffee straight from the birthplace of coffee. He likes to spend his time thinking of the next big think to publish and already has a series in the works. ​