Frequently Asked Questions About Speculative Fiction Writer David Kubicek
Aren’t you dead?
Not yet. Years ago, an online directory of published books confused me with another David Kubicek and reported that I had died in 1990, but as Mark Twain said when his obituary was printed prematurely: “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
What’s the story behind this caricature?
I was assigned to write an article about local artist Paul Zanderholm for the now defunct Grassroots Nebraska. We sat across from each other in his living room, and while I interviewed him, he drew me.
Why did you become a writer?
I liked stories. I liked to read them. I liked to listen to them. I liked to watch them on TV and in movie theaters. I liked to watch them with live actors performing them on stage. I guess it was inevitable that I should try to write them.
When did you write your first story?
When I was 10 years old. I can still remember what it was about, and it causes me great pain whenever I think about it. Fortunately, it has been consigned to some long forgotten landfill.
When did you write your first novel?
When I was 23. I based it on a short story one of my college professors thought I should expand into a novel. But, not understanding how to structure and pace a novel at that time, the result was a bloated short story. I ended it abruptly at 47,000 words because I was so bored that I couldn’t go on. I just couldn’t. It was so bad that the garbage man refused to haul it away. He gave me the number for the hazardous waste unit. Well, the last two sentences are complete lies, but my point is that anyone who attempts to read my first novel all the way through is running the risk of permanent brain damage. Fortunately, that manuscript disappeared over the course of several moves and may be buried in some landfill where its toxins are seeping into the groundwater to this day.
Which writers influenced you the most?
Ray Bradbury was the seed from which my writing grew. I read The Martian Chronicles, and then quickly devoured everything I could find that this amazing author had written. Other strong influences were Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Rod Serling, and Stephen King.
Where do you get your ideas?
From everywhere. Some have no visible inspiration but drop suddenly from the void into my mind. Other ideas are sparked by events in the news or my personal experiences or comments from friends. My short story collections include commentary about the inspiration for each tale.
Do you accept suggestions for stories?
No. My writing is highly personal and must come from within me in order for me to be committed enough to the story to put in the time writing it, which can range from a few weeks for a short story to a year or more for a novel.
For information about my books click here