Contributor Spotlight: Robert Vaughan
Robert Vaughan’s piece “Passers-By” appears in Midwestern Gothic Issue 2, out now.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was quite young, perhaps six or seven.
What’s your connection to the Midwest?
I used to work here on and off for several years. Then I moved here in 2003, and plan to live here for many more years.
How has the Midwest influenced your writing?
My writing has really exploded in terms of publications (135 last year, and over 75 in 2011), and I attribute that to a vital writing community at Redbird-Redoak Writing, and also online writing communities like Fictionaut, The Nervous Breakdown or 6S where I am a member.
Why do you believe there has never really been a regionalist push for Midwestern writing in the past like there has with the South or even the West Coast?
I think the coasts or the South have “regionalized” writers in a way that has never quite been similar to the Midwest. Perhaps it is the more self-effacing quality of this region? Certainly there is an equal amount of talented writers here, so it is not for lack of them.
How do you feel about social media to promote your writing, and do you use it?
I do use social media quite extensively, social medias like Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler. I also have a personal blog, and contribute to collective writers sites like Flash Fiction Collective. I think this medium is the wave of the current and future template for writing and I embrace the changes, roll with the times.
Favorite book?
A recent read, Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Chronology of Water (and I don’t write memoir!).
Favorite food?
Brown rice and red beans.
If you could have coffee (or tea or a beer) with any literary figure, alive or dead, who would it be?
Oscar Wilde.
Where can we find more information about you?
My blog is One Writer’s Life at http://www.rgv7735.wordpress.com.
My stories at Fictionaut are http://www.fictionaut.com/your/stories
My job’s blog is http://redbirdredoak.com/
August 18th, 2011 at 7:13 am
This was an informative and pleasant interview. Write on, Robert.
August 18th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Great interview, Robert! I always love to hear more about you and your process!!! And the community of writers!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
August 21st, 2011 at 9:12 am
Thanks Robert James Russell for this honor and to everyone who has read, and, commented, many thanks for the support!