Abstraction by Sam Weis is Debuting on March 1st, and we had the pleasure of speaking with the author for our blog and will interview her next week. Here are the details of our conversation.
Sam Weis is a noted abstract painter, author, 12-string guitarist/recording artist, and an award-winning songwriter.
After writing five recordings of original music and lyrics, she thought it was time to write something that did not rhyme every other line, and she has a published novel titled ABSTRACTION. It’s a quirky story about paintings, artists, and the mysterious power of art.
Sam has lived and painted in Eastern Iowa, Seattle, Washington’s Kitsap Peninsula, and Islamorada in the Florida Keys.
1. When did you start writing?
When I was about nine
2. What was it like growing up?
Delightfully solitary with lots of farm animals and wild animals. A great extended family.
3. How was your early life?
Safe and supportive.
4. What has been the biggest influence in your career?
My older brother taught me to read when I was three, and my family encouraged me to be endlessly curious.
5. Tell us about your newest release?
I am also a painter, so logically, this book is about a painter. Or rather, her paintings.
6. Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?
This is my first book.
7. What inspired you to write this book?
I was working on an idea for a completely different book when this one honestly appeared in a dream, nearly fully realized. Of course, it took two and a half years to make it real.
8. What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?
I’m a painter. I am also a songwriter and 12-string guitarist (been playing guitar since age 7). I also play golf and try to figure out ways to avoid snowy weather.
9. What does your writing space look like?
It is wherever I am. I have traveled a lot, playing music, so I have gotten used to writing wherever I happen to be. Abstraction was written in the office of my Kitsap County, WA house. Also, in a tiny travel trailer in a state park on Puget Sound. In numerous restaurants. And in a dear little rental place on a canal in Key Largo, FL (later destroyed by Hurricane Irma).
10. If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?
The title would have to be What The Hell Is Going On Here
11. How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?
It took 2-1/2 years, then a few more months for editing and rewrites. My process was to simply write. Then ride my bike, go kayaking, or play golf. I do things to clear my mind. Then return to the writing. I’m too wiggly to sit for more than a couple of hours at a shot.
12. Favorite reads?
Everything by Kurt Vonnegut, Annie Proulx. John Irving’s A Prayer For Owen Meany. Dean Koontz writes beautiful sentences and scares the willies out of me.
Going After Cacciato by Tim O’Brien. Do we have enough space for this list?
13. Do you have any book recommendations?
Finding Beauty In A Broken World by Terry Tempest Williams. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (because so many apparently intelligent people seem afraid of it). Everything by Hakan Nesser.
14. What’s your next big project?
Getting Abstraction into as many reader’s hands as possible. Then getting back to work on the new idea.
15. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Don’t be afraid to make a hash of it. That’s what the delete button is for, the eraser or a match. Just write.
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