FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for Craig Forgrave

So, when did you starting writing anyway?

I don't really remember, but I think it was after I started walking and before I started drinking.

And how do you get ideas to write about?

Ideas are everywhere. The difficulty is narrowing down the limitless universe of the imagination and making a cohesive story out of your thoughts. Writing is all about how you execute your ideas. Personally, I prefer to line them up against a wall and shoot them until they stop twitching.

Do you have any suggestions to writers who are just starting out?

Of course. Get started, don't stop and don't ever quit. And don't let anyone tell you what is good or bad writing. Write what you feel and then write it again and again. Get opinions, read other writers work and develop a style and voice that is the real you. Don't worry about success and riches. If you want to be rich, invest in technology or marry someone with money. If you have a lot of money already, writing should be a lot easier. If you want to be financially independent, visit my personal finance site www.movieloversmoneyguide.com and my "beat the market" investing site www.marketBOB.com

What is your background?

I went to the University of Waterloo and graduated as an engineering student, performed the secret "iron ring" ceremony and then worked in the oil business (drilling for it mostly) and then moved to the west coast where I became a Professor at a local College. I started writing stage plays with a partner and had some success until one fateful afternoon at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto where I met the (at that time) idols of Canadian Stage sitting around talking about how to get their next government grant or maybe a teaching position and I realized that writing plays was a tough way to make a living. After that, I moved to Abu Dhabi for a week or so, until Saddam made me quit. That would be 1990. Then I started writing in earnest, concentrating on screenplays (seemed like a natural extension to stage plays but for more money) and spent time in Hollywood finding an agent and making the rounds, pitching ideas. Partly from my experience in Hollywood, I started a novel that turned out to be Devil Jazz. A novel is much more satisfying than a screenplay. This I know from personal experience. As I said before, you write for your own satisfaction, not for money.

Any last thoughts?

Yes. If you are reading this and wondering if you should start your own novel, stop reading and get started. You can waste a lot of time browsing other people's web sites. A lot of time...