An Interview with Richard M. Wainwright

Betsie: To start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is about?

Richard: My goal from the first word has to been to write stories and create books that are truly for all ages. This meant I had to deal with universal values and the human condition in each book. My first book A Tiny Miracle was based on the concept that no matter where we are born, what conditions we live under with faith, hope and perseverance there is a place for each one of us on this planet. As my stories evolved I began to take on other issues, human experiences and concepts such as fears, prejudice, homelessness, disabilities, lost, courage, volunteerism, philanthropy, spirituality, love between 1st and 3rd generation, and the two edged sword of technology.

Before I wrote Crystal Palace I asked myself these 3 questions. Has technology surpassed our wisdom as a human species to control it, how do populations control themselves on planets and on all planets how do we preserve and equitably share the natural resources. The Crystal Palace hopefully gets the reader to think in someway about those questions but to wonder about what is truly important in each of our lives.

When speaking with older youngsters and adults I often ask them if they could be transported to a pristine planet what would they take with them from this earth?

Betsie: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life?

Richard: I grew up in Needham, MA with two younger sister and a much younger brother who was an epileptic. I learned a great deal from all three. Radio was one of the great influences in my life as if forced me to imagine all aspects of the program from faces to location. It trained me to concentrate or I would miss something. I quickly gravitated to books and became an eclectic reader - writing seemed to naturally follow - a legacy of radio. I might add that I believe my stories are honestly the product of two fine parents, great coaches and teachers, the thousands of superb authors whose work I have absorbed and the thousands of students, friends and even strangers that have
touched my life.

Betsie: What would a typical day be like for a writer?

Richard: When I am writing the first draft of a book I set aside a minimum of two hours a day and sit at the computer. At the end of those two hours I may have written one sentence I am satisfied with, one paragraph, ten pages or nothing at all. I do that six days a week until the draft is done. Usually two to three months. I spend the next two years editing, having others read and criticize the draft, making changes and finally designing the layout before meeting with my illustrator.

Like all writers we begin with a few printed words that evoke astonishment from parents or grandparents - deserved or underserved it doesn't matter but it keeps us on the path. I love to write creative stories and remember in a post-graduate year at a prep school my teacher thought the story I had written must have been copied from somewhere as it was much better than a kid my age was supposed to be able to write. It took four more papers before
he apologized but he could always find plenty to criticize in my papers as my punctuation, grammar and even syntax left a lot to be desired but somehow my words touched the reader. I continue to write more with my heart than my head.

Betsie: How long have you been writing and in what capacities?

Richard: I have spent more than twenty years in education as a teacher, coach and headmaster and try to encourage young writers to look inside themselves for their creativity and not be afraid to let their souls be bared for all to see.

Betsie: Which is more difficult to write - Fiction or nonfiction and why?

Richard: I have primarily written fiction - my one non-fiction dealt with the loss of my first wife to cancer and experiences I had taking care of her for the four months she lived, the therapies we tried and the wonderful
experiences I had following D'Ann's death that changed me from an agnostic to one who believes that there is another dimension. The books I never expected or wanted to write I wrote in six months with tears coming down my cheeks 50% of the time. I wondered if it would be worth it and I have people chasing me with big butterfly nets upon its publications but thankfully it
seems to touch people deeply and provide assurance and comfort. ClOSER THAN
WE IMAGINE goes into its 2nd printing next year.

Fiction for me seems easier to write as I am able to empathize deeply with each character and his or her actions in the story so that when I laugh or cry after reading a particular part I know I am making progress. When I
write I  am not at the computer I am in the story.

Betsie: Has there ever been a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and give up? And if so, how did you defeat those instincts?

Richard: No, I have never felt like giving up. My favorite book as a tyke was THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD. It became foundation of my philosophy. There are days when I am doing signing at a show outside and its 90 degrees and few people are interested in coming to the show I wonder about the marketing aspect of this self-publishing life. Yet when I look back over these 15 years since my first books and know I have sold several hundred thousand
books - with no returns I am indeed grateful.

Betsie: What is the hardest part about being a writer?

Richard: The hardest part of being a writer for me is the marketing. I am now 69 and make close to 100 personal appearances a year. The books seem to be getting heavier. I think they are using thicker paper on the reprints.

Betsie: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Richard: My wife and I play golf when we go south in the winter. We both love fishing
and traveling. Last year we got to Bai and Hong Kong. I believe every experience we have, every person we meet changes us positively or negatively and often will influence or contribute to a particular writing effort.

Betsie: Articles and media alike make it sound as though the only way to rise to the top is to sacrifice. What do you find to be good sacrifices?

Richard: Since I decided to self-publish it meant I had to do a lot of signings on
weekends, all during the year, and for many years 24-7 think of ways to let people know about my books. As my audience has grown I can balance my life better. I have never had a desire to own the biggest, fastest, most or
newest. I have heard of a prize for the richest guy in the cemetery. My belief remains that we are here simply to love each other, help each other on this journey and hopefully leave the planet a little better off for us being here.

Betsie: What’s the coolest thing a reader has said to you?

Richard: I guess the words that mean most to mean coming from readers is that my words touched them and their families deeply and they plan to save my books for future generations. When kids who have graduated from college but have read all my books as youngsters and then come by and buy my newest because they know there is something in it for them - I feel I have achieved my goal to write for all ages.

Betsie: Do you think that as a writer you are more prone to watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people are?

Richard: I think writers have to be passionate about writing, and be observers and philosophers. I am an activist for the first time in this election because I feel so strongly the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Betsie: Who are some of the authors you consider to be "don't miss"?

Richard: When you ask about authors you shouldn't miss I can only say be eclectic.
Read Homer, Robert Parker, Tostoy, Faulkner, Steinbeck, Shakespeare etc. For the beach I like Follett, Brown and Drl Wayne Dyer.

Betsie: What kind of movies do you enjoy?

Richard: I enjoy romantic comedies, classics like the African Queen, and mysteries. I
stay away from horror but do like Scifi.

Betsie: What is your favorite city to visit, but one that you wouldn’t want to live in?

Richard: My favorite city to visit would be Hong Kong and New Orleans.

Betsie: What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked in an interview?

Richard: Can't think of any strange interview questions but don't forget at my age the
memory seems to fade.

Betsie: What's next?

Richard: What next? ROYAL KOI AND KINDRED SPIRITS:  Inner peace, world peace, a community coming together to create a Japanese Garden and raise money for transportation vehicle for children with cancer - the them of the story.

We hope you truly enjoyed learning of this author and if you're interested in other books - we encourage you to visit his website - a link has been provided below - you won't regret it! BLP wishes Mr. Wainwright great success with all his works!!