Author Spotlight — August 2020. Featuring: Mark Starlin
By: Justin Deming
Tags: The Friday Fix, Authors, Author Spotlights, Newsletter, Writing

Interview with Mark Starlin

Q: Why do you write?

Mark: Writing is a creative outlet for me. I have learned that I need creative outlets in my life to feel fulfilled and happy. So I have several. Writing is actually my newest outlet. Before discovering Medium two and a half years ago, my writing history consisted mainly of writing humorous posts on Facebook (back when Facebook was still fun) and a few guitar method books. I never gave writing much thought. Music and playing guitar were my primary creative outlets. Then quite by accident, I discovered Medium, and the writing monster was unleashed. For better or worse [laughs].

Q: What is your earliest memory involving writing?

M: Besides learning to write my ABCs on the three-dotted lines, I had a third-grade teacher who thought math and science were a waste of time. She only taught reading and writing. We had to write a new story every day. I think that forced me to use my imagination and become a creative writer. It seemed like a difficult chore at the time, but I love writing fiction now.

Q: What is your favorite genre to write? To read?

M: My favorite genre to write is variety. Honestly, I love variety in almost everything. I would be miserable sticking to a single genre. I don’t even think about genres when I write. Although I am probably best-known (by tens of people) for writing humor, I would get bored and burned out only writing humor. I have learned to go with what interests me at the moment. If that is poetry, I write poetry. If it is fiction, I write fiction. It works for me and keeps writing interesting.

Ten years ago, I would have said my favorite genre to read was fantasy, with biography and history tied for second. But I have never been an avid reader. I was a “go outside and play” kind of kid. Then I became obsessed with music. Writing on Medium has expanded my horizons and made me into more of a reader. I read every day now.

Q: What are you currently reading?

M: I am currently reading books by some of my favorite Medium authors. The novel Introspectors by Rick Post, and a story collection, The Imposters and Other Stories, by Terrye Turpin. I think it is awesome that I can read books by writers I have interacted with on Medium. Stephen King won’t take my calls.

(Check out Introspectors by Rick Post here, and The Imposters and Other Stories by Terrye Turpin here.)

Q: Do you have any current writing projects? If so, what are they?

M: [Laughs.] Starting projects is my specialty. Finishing them is another matter. I just started on a sequel to my first novel. I have five other ideas for novels, which may turn out to be novellas or short stories. I let stories decide their own length. And I have a Scrivener file full of ideas for Medium stories.

I have tried to write a story for The Friday Fix every week since I discovered it (I have missed a few weeks) as a little bit of disciplined writing. Plus, I like the challenge of paring a story down to exactly 50 words and still make it a story.

Q: Do you have any writing rituals, routines, or quirks?

M: My writing is based on quirks. Does that count? I can’t write with television or music on (and I am a musician!) But I can block out traffic noise or nature sounds. My only writing routine is getting my best ideas when I am in the shower.

Q: Besides reading and writing, what are some of your other favorite hobbies and interests?

M: Making music (playing guitar, keyboards, bass) and songwriting. Walking and hiking. Bike riding. Making comics. Photography. Eating. Converting rotary phones into night-vision goggles. Creating murals of Shakespeare plays using Scrabble tiles. Planning my escape from planet Earth.