Episode 20: Chad Musick Interview
R
Hello cinnabar moth are any kind of Monty like to be? Welcome to the writers triangle cinema boss podcast about all things publishing and books? Say here we we are here with Chad music author of From the lighthouse. Chad, how you doing today?
C
I am very well. I’m excited about my upcoming release.
R
I’m glad to hear. So you’re playing release from lighthouse is your second book with us? And does this launch feel any different than your first release? With not my rectus?
C
I think it does. It’s a different kind of book. So it feels a little bit more confusing about how it’s being launched, like un KISSFLOW have helped me figure out kind of how to market it, how you’re going to market it, but it’s just a less straightforward book. Okay,
R
what do you mean by less straightforward? And in what way?
C
Not my record is very realistic. In almost all of it. It’s like a story that people are engaging in. It’s people doing things and talking to each other and things happening. And from the lighthouse is not really there’s a lot of talking animals and different things in it. Or the narrator imagining that there are talking animals and different things.
R
Okay, so it’s about the kind of the perspectives and as well as it’s more fantastical.
C
Yeah, it’s more magical realism. So both of them have a very close first personal narrator. We see in their head, we only see what they see and that kind of thing. But with from the lighthouse, the narrator is not nearly as reliable, they might be misinterpreting things or making things up or lying about things. Okay.
R
So from that, would you say that the writing process was different from not my records to from the lighthouse?
C
I think so with not my record, there was a lot of research to make sure that I got details correct. And with from the lighthouse, there was a lot of thought into how scenes were constructed. But because there’s a lot of fantastical or magical realist elements, it’s not so important that the details be scientifically and historically accurate.
R
And so if one feels very research heavy, kind of a bit more nitty gritty in that way, we had to pay attention all those details, but this one, you’re able to have a bit more flexibility with how you decide to write things.
C
Yeah, like not my Rocco’s, there’s a scene where one of the characters gets a VCs, a video control system, and a year later, that would be renamed to the Atari 2600. And so that, what year it was an exactly what year determine what that thing was called. And it would be inaccurate to call it an Atari. Because it wasn’t called that at the time, even though now we probably call it an Atari. That kind of research. I couldn’t put that into, okay. How big is a dragon actually? Like, if there’s an ancient sea dragon, how big are they? There’s not really a good reference for that.
R
Yeah, that has more. That’s just whatever you think is right. That’s what that’s what it is. And so that process, do you say that you are able to enjoy writing from Lighthouse more than not maracas?
C
I think so. I think it’s a much easier topic. It’s not a book about, like childhood trauma. It’s a book about gender and non binary ness and how people define themselves in the world, the narrator is defining themselves as a dragon. And that may or may not be true, I think readers could take it either way. But it’s a much kind of lighter topic, even though there are some haunting moments and things. This is from reviews that some of its haunting, and that it has frightening places of magic and violence. But it’s not anywhere near as dark as not Morocco. Okay.
R
And so you’re writing a different type of book with from the lighthouse. And you’re covering some different topics with it. And do you feel like you’ve changed as an author through your experiences with writing both of these books and in between writing each of the books even?
C
I don’t think so. Really, I think in both I’m very concerned with what the narrator thinks. And so, if the narrator is thinking that I’m going to write it down if it moves the story forward, and not my ruckus is a much more straightforward story because the main characteristics and a much more straightforward way But there’s still the attention to what would this character be actually thinking? And what would their responses be? And we’re not in front of the lighthouse not is much more chaotic and erratic. So sometimes the writing reflects that. But I don’t think of fundamentally different and it’s concerned, it’s concern of both thoughts and feelings of one person.
R
Okay. That makes sense to me. And so is that with going into a bit more with from the White House, and the you mentioned before that it talks about non binary ness and, and self identity and such, would you say, what would you say is the inspiration for from lighthouse?
C
The inspiration is I heard somebody making fun of people who feel like they’re dragons, but seem to me, like really petty, because it doesn’t hurt anybody. Like if somebody thinks that their dragon kin or their wolf kin or whatever. I don’t personally feel that way about myself. I’m a human. But just the vitriol with which these people were attacking those who identify more strongly with animals, real or imagined, then with humanity just seems so unnecessary. So I thought, I’m going to write a story about somebody who believes they’re a dragon, and what that’s like to believe that and then the non binary Ness came in because, like, is a dragon, male or female? And you can have it either way. But also these creatures were kind of singular creatures of legend. Why would they be one or the other?
R
That’s a good point, I had never thought about the fact that dragons don’t have any need to be concerned with that. And except for kind of the humans habits, particularly back in the olden days of assigning everything to have a specific category.
C
Yeah, you know, you have dragons, laying eggs and things. And in some of the more popular role playing games, you might have dragonoid, who, like have boobs or things, but even there, it seems kind of limiting to assume that dragons and other mythical beasts wreak procreate in exactly the same way as humans do, and have the same gender roles.
R
Yeah, that is a good point. With it’d be a difference in culture at the very least, because they’re different entirely different creatures. Yeah. Do you feel that you explore that a little bit in from the lighthouse
C
handbook. It’s not it’s pretty lonely. And they only meet one other dragon and the whole book. So I think there’s not a lot of exploration of kind of Dragon culture there. Because it’s not really a book about dragons. I think if people come into it thinking, I’m going to read an exciting fantasy book, they’re going to be very confused by the book and some of the reviews have early reviews have reflected that people saying I don’t care what’s going on. Some of them are even this writing is brilliant, but I’m still confused about what’s going on. And so I want people to know that this is primarily kind of a literary book in the same way that not my rock has was and that if you come in expecting you know, a Dungeons and Dragons type dragon you’re going to be confused and probably disappointed if you come in expecting to think I hope you like it. Thank you. Okay,
R
then so wild dragons and the not being a dragon does bring dragons into and our elements from that the main focus is more about knots journey. Yes.
C
Not because on a hero’s journey, which usually in the hero’s journey, the dragon is the villain of that journey. But Dragon is the enemy that has to be conquered. Yeah, and so here instead the dragon is the hero.
R
Okay, a twist on that. Yes. It is enjoy twists and and on tropes. When I read books personally. With the process for from the White House, and with writing as well as with launching of it have any any surprises this time around that have caught you off guard or anything as you go into it. You mentioned before that the launch was different than not maracas was.
C
I think it’s surprising how much more relaxed I am and how much easier it is Because I’m, I’m not concerned whether it’s a best seller, I hope that people enjoy it when they read it. But I’m not pinning my hopes on I’m going to quit my job and just write this kind of thing full time. One because these books take me a year to write usually. And to because I like my job. So I’m just enjoying the process of being an author and publishing a book, rather than nervous about how it’s gonna do. Hmm.
R
So look, when you’re nervous Book Two, you’re able to relax a bit more. And with this relaxation and not being as concerned about how well it does, do you feel like that’s influenced your confidence as a writer at all?
C
I think maybe, I think with the first book as like, Okay, I’m a debut author, I should win all kinds of awards. My book should be world famous. And with Book Two, I’m no longer a debut author. Right? I’ll never have that back. And I’m not upset about not winning awards. It’s just relaxing. Okay. Like, if people liked my first book, they may or may not like my second book. I’ve had one reviewer, say, I loved the first book. I didn’t like this book, because it confused me. And probably pick up readers who didn’t like the topic of the first book. But like the writing, they’ll be like, Okay, I like the writing. And this book is about a totally different topic. So I’m going to pick that up. I just feel a lot more relaxed Overall, about how people will receive it.
R
Thank you, that makes sense. With less, like mentally on it able to feel more open to whatever comes.
C
Yeah, not my wreckless was really polarizing. Most people either loved it or hated it. refer people were like, it was alright. And I think that from the lighthouse was gonna be less polarizing, but I think there’ll be mostly I loved it. And it confused me.
R
Was not my ruckus was more. I really didn’t like wear this when why I really liked wear this one.
C
Yeah, I feel like not my ruckus. There are people who dislike me personally, because I wrote it. And went from the lighthouse. I don’t think there’s gonna be anybody who’s like, damn, Chad, music. Got dragons totally wrong. I don’t think I’m going to get any of that sentiment.
R
Right. But that’s a good thing is not being so concerned about not having to concern yourself with whether or not people are going to feel things towards you as the writer for having written the story. Yeah, that’s right. And so you’re with the second book? And who would you say in your family is the most excited about the fund lighthouse and its release?
C
I think probably me. My family is supportive. But I think that I’m the one who is interested in what people think I want to read reviews. I’m not a fan of bad reviews. I’m not sure how many authors are. But I don’t mind reviews that say, You know what, I really liked the writing. But it was confusing, or I didn’t like this book as much as last one, but I’m going to keep reading future books, those reviews that are just kind of me. I’m okay with those. And I still enjoy learning what people think. And it affects my future writing. Okay,
R
so you take these as kind of a an opportunity to grow rather than necessarily as an attack against you.
C
Yeah, and I’m not even sure it’s growing. Because, you know, I got a review in forward reviews, which is pretty picky about who they review. Now, that said, it’s an extraordinary and poignant novel, like, Okay, that’s pretty positive, like, extraordinary and poignant. And so I feel like, it’s more about discovering who my audience is, than it is about growing as a writer. I think that I’ll keep getting better as I write. But I don’t think that the feedback is always constructive or helpful. In making somebody a better writer, it can make them better at targeting their audience, better at connecting with readers who like the way they write. The way you get better at writing is by deliberately practicing writing, reading books about writing, reading good books and examining how they do things.
R
I get that that doesn’t make sense to me that you have to hone your craft to improve at it. Knowing where to apply those skills to attract the readers that would naturally be want to approach your book or your style of writing is something that you can refine a bit more As you figure out who those readers are,
C
yeah, that’s right. Like, I don’t think that I’ll ever write a romance novel. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require a lot of skill. It doesn’t make me more or less skilled because I don’t write romance, it just means I have a different thing that I want to convey. So I need a different audience.
R
Right? Now you have a second book coming out, you, you’ve got these changes that have or, I guess, focuses that are coming from the reviews for finding your audience and such, do you feel this all this combined is aligned to feel like you can identify more as an author?
C
I think I’ve always identified as an author, as a kind of inclination toward the world, I write about what I see, I think about what I see. And then I write it down. And I’ve done that since at least when I was 12. When I started high school, I think it it lets me relax a bit more as a novelist, where this is my art form, when I write novels, instead of oh, I write short stories, I write poetry, I write novels, I write this and that I write nonfiction, which I do write all of those I am published and all of those, but my voice is a novelist. I feel like is becoming much stronger. Okay,
R
says less identify as an author, but more the sub category of novelists specifically, is the idea that’s being strengthened for you.
C
Yeah, that’s right.
R
Okay. And with with novel writing, you’ve gotten one and you’re about to have a second published, and between naught maracas, and with from the lighthouse being your next one. What are some major milestones that not my records achieved, that you hope from the lighthouse might be able to achieve or even potentially surpass? You have any
C
I think just being invited to some awards, I didn’t win, but it’s an honor just to be asked kind of thing. I’m, I hope that people enjoy it. And be nice to have people say, I’m waiting for the third book. I think that’s a milestone that after the first book, people might say they’re waiting for the second. But if you don’t write exactly the same thing, they might not like it. And some authors are able to write the same book over and over with different characters and plot and keep it interesting. I feel like I have to change up everything about it, I have to come up with a new voice, I have to come up with new characters, a new kind of world. And I hope that I have readers who read both books, and say, Okay, I’m up for the journey of what book number three will bring.
R
So for you, you’re not much you prefer to branch out with when it comes to perspectives, and your focuses. And that movement is something that you hope your readers enjoy, rather than being turned off by.
C
Yeah, and I’m not even sure it’s a preference. It’s more like, I can only write the book that’s in my head. Which is not to say I can only write when I’m inspired. I sit down and I write even on some days, I don’t feel like writing at all. But if I have a story, then I’m going to write that story rather than trying to just start writing and see what comes out. Okay,
R
and so your writing processes, always you’ve got the idea. And then you write what your ideas.
C
Yeah, I have an image or phrase or just kind of a scene in mind. And then I figure out, okay, what kind of book would have this in it? What kind of characters do I need, and then I do some like planning. I don’t plan down to kind of the paragraph level, but I plan major events in the book and see how they track from the lighthouse. In particular, I looked at the hero’s journey to kind of plan each point and poke fun at it a little bit. This idea that really, there’s only one story worth telling. And it’s the hero’s journey. Okay.
R
And so you, you’ve got this process for your writing that you figured out that works very well for you. We got two books now that are being published. And do you have any goals for after from my house, it’s being published very soon. Next year,
C
I have another book that I’m writing now that I’ve been working on for a while. And another book after that that’s already written. So the one that I’m writing now is a earlier book of the one that’s already written. So my goal is to publish at least two more books.
R
Okay, that’s exciting. So fans of yours will be I’m sure happy to hear that there will be more coming from you. And they have at least two more books look forward to, if not more in the future as well. Exactly. And so, speaking of fans, are you aware of the fan base for not my records? Because it created a lot of buzz? As you mentioned, it was polarizing, but there were people who said they loved it. And that does mean there’s a fan base being built? Has, are you aware of it? How does it feel? You have any thoughts about it?
C
I’m not sure how many people are going to be fans. So I have had a couple of repeat readers who got an early copy of not my ruckus, and got an early copy of From the lighthouse. And I think I’m not going to know how many of my how many of the people who read not my ruckus come back to read from the lighthouse? So I don’t I don’t know about fans yet.
R
Like so currently, you don’t feel like you have a fan base. That’s right. And so, but with the with the potential for a fan base, does deflect that as any pressure the thought of having these repeat readers, does that impact your thought process? Or your feelings about the writing at all?
C
No, I mean, I worry about the paparazzi, like how am I going to move about the world with, you know, ones of adoring fans? who probably don’t even know what I look like? No, so I guess I, I think about readers and the book I want to write, and I do want people to be able to read and enjoy my books, but I’m not overly concerned with kind of getting a following or a group of fans or anything like that.
R
Okay. And you mentioned before the with from lighthouse, the main focus is on not, but not not going to be the only character they meet many more. And do you have any character that you’re particularly excited for your readers repeat or first time readers that you’d be excited for them to meet or that you’re looking forward to seeing reactions about?
C
Yeah, I like bird a lot. So a lot of the characters have unusual or significant names so not as with big man, and the black cat named Blackie. And there’s a fairy named una. Una is a very standard name for fairies. A lot of books, but Bert is probably my favorite character. Okay,
R
so those of you out there who are going to read from Lighthouse look forward to meeting bird. And, you know, let let us know, in the reviews or in comments, you know, let us know what you think of bird and it with you mentioned that bird is something you’re excited for them to meet. Would you say that bird is your favorite character? And everything or just in particular fashion?
C
Well, I think not is my favorite character in the book. But bird is my my favorite character other than not just because of how unapologetic they are about who they are. And I’ll let readers discover what that means but Byrd never doubt for a moment. Good they are or what they should be or that what they’re doing is right. Okay.
R
That is a personality that can I find that Mark admirable as well. And I think can be very interesting for a character to have. And so your favorite character for sure is not That’s right. Okay, and we get to experience knots entire journey and evolution dot the entire book style be very enjoyable. Look forward to in the book for in, would you say are there any easter eggs or surprises for fans?
C
Yeah, there’s all kinds of things thrown in there. So not is not always aware of kind of reality in a strict sense. But I think some people have already written in reviews that all of this takes the place in Florida, which is never said. But not complains that big man won’t take them to see the mouse. Like mean, you know that and there are various signs that yes, it is Florida. So I think there there are some Easter eggs. There are some silly moments, you know, not shouting super cyan. I’m gonna go super cyan, and things like that. So yeah, I think there will be that and then there are references to future books. So I think when people read the future books, they’ll look at it and go, ah, that’s what that was. And I’m really house. Okay,
R
so there’s actually a lot to look forward to in keep our eyes out for as we’re reading through. And do you have any particular thing or stuff about the from lighthouse that you think your readers will love the most? What do you think people enjoy the most from the book?
C
I think that people who enjoy it will like, deciding for themselves what’s real and what’s not. And not give some clues at the beginning about how big man thinks about things like not thinks of somebody is, you know, Pyromancer and big man is like, that’s the fireworks technician, and not thinks about the mermaids and big mounds, like those are manatees headed out? So I think that deciding who’s his perspective is right, the hyper realistic perspective or not more imagined perspective, will be interesting for people who enjoy that kind of thing.
R
I do think there’s a bit of fun with being deciding who’s right. And also worth deciding by figuring it out sometimes, because if it’s not clear all the time, who actually was right, then that creates the opportunity to make your own decision. And then have discussions that the people, you’d have friends who would also read the book and be like, Why think it’s this way, you can get caught up in that. I’ve experienced that myself with some friends who have read books in the past. With me, and as having different views on it can always be a very fun conversation as well.
C
Yeah, I hoped it would be a good a fun book club book, and maybe a fun book to torment high schoolers with. Ask them to interpret it. And then can’t we have something where the meaning is super clear?
R
Ah, yeah, the high school assignment.
C
Yes, read Animal Farm, which is about animals. And no, actually surprise, it’s about the, you know, socialist revolution in Russia. Okay, but isn’t also about animals.
R
So, I’m personally very excited for the release of from the lighthouse. And I know that your fans are as well. And I want to thank you, Chad, for talking with me today and for being on the writers triangle. And thank you to all of our beautiful moss for listening. Be sure to buy from lighthouse, out February 1. And Chad, can you tell us where we can find you social media links Website,
C
any of that? I’m on Twitter at the music’s that’s m U S, IC Ks. And that’s pretty much where I’m at. If people want to look me up on LinkedIn, I do connect for professional reasons there but author is not my profession. So Twitter’s probably where I’m at. Okay.
R
Well, you heard it here, everybody. Be sure to visit cinnabar moth.com as well to check out the transcripts. And we’ll also have the link to Chad’s Twitter. Thank you. Thank you for coming on today. It was nice talking to you. You too.
C
Bye bye.