An Interview with Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony is a well-known science fiction and fantasy writer. He’s best known for his long running series of books regarding the Xanth fantasy world. Many of his books have appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Piers Anthony has won several awards for his writing, including the Predators and Editors award.

How did you get into writing? At what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Two years into college, I needed to decide on my major. Then it came to me, like a light dawning, that I wanted to be a writer. That was 55 years ago, and my ambition has remained constant.

What was your first book or story that you completed? Did you ever get it published?

My first novel was The Unstilled World, my graduating thesis, 95,000 words long. It was never published. Years later I reworked a portion of it as Sos the Rope, and that was published.

How did you finally get published? When were you able to write on a full time basis? Please explain your success story?

My wife went to work so I could stay home and write trying to make it as a writer. That was when I made my first two story sales, and earned $160. It wasn't enough to support a family, so I had to return to mundane employment for a few more years. But it was the breakthrough.

How do you stay motivated to finish a novel? How do you stay focused?

I love to write, and have no problem with motivation.

What is your writing schedule like? Do you write in the mornings, evenings, and for how long?

I write whenever I have time to write. That's normally about three hours in the morning, two in the afternoon, and one in the evening. But time spent making meals, shopping, and household chores impinges on that, and so does correspondence with fans, reading, and business matters, so I seldom have a full day.

How do you get your ideas?

Ideas constantly come to me. I note them, summarize them and save them for future use.

How do you get over writer's block?

I don't suffer Writer's Block. I developed a system long ago, to hold a dialogue with myself about writing problems, and it works.

What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a writer? What is a good starting point for them?

Have a working spouse, because someone in your family needs to have an income while you struggle. My wife supported me throughout, in every way, so that I was finally able to make it.

To visit Piers Anthony's website, click here. His personal email is piersanthony@hipiers.com. Or to read more interviews, go to the main writer interviews page.