AUTHOR PROFILE
Russ Fee is the author of the multi-award-winning Sheriff Matt Callahan mystery series. His short fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous journals and magazines such as Star 82 Review, Literally Stories, Spank the Carp, Short Circuit, Spaceports & Spidersilk Magazine, Sci Phi Journal, and Hemingway Shorts.
Russ and his wife are dual citizens of the United States and Ireland and currently live in the Upper Midwest, which they love. To learn more about Russ and his writing visit his website at outerislandpress.com |
Russell's work appeared in Pond 85
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Why do you write?
I write for the adventure. When fully engaged in the process, I am amazed at how the story sometimes unfolds on its own in surprising ways and how characters will suddenly appear and propel the narrative forward, almost without my direction. Those are exciting times and make the stretches of grind more than worth it.
What other creative activities are you involved in?
Besides writing, I like to draw and sketch, especially when travelling or on vacation. However, recently my wife and I have been taking woodworking classes and, after overcoming our fear (almost) of sharp whirring steel teeth, are really enjoying them. We’ve even made some passably nice pieces of furniture.
Who is your favorite author and why?
My choice for favorite author changes over time, but two authors that I keep returning to are H. Rider Haggard and John Mortimer. Haggard for the thrill rides he takes you on through exotic and enchanting worlds, and Mortimer for his humor and ability to weave three compelling stories into one peopled with unforgettable characters.
Tell us about the mechanics of how you write.
I don’t outline or plot in advance of writing. I start a story or novel with a core idea and a beginning sentence or two and take off from there. Each day is a fresh start in the sense that it’s anyone’s guess as to how the story will progress until I begin writing. After writing this way for a good while, the false turns and dead ends become less and less. Of course, there is always the necessary rewriting and editing. I do my writing on a laptop and sometimes even on my phone.
Finally, what do you think about Carp, the fish, not our website?
Years ago, my wife and I lived for a time in the city of Nuremberg, which is within the Franconian region of Germany. Believe it or not, Franconia is famous for its carp. There were many carp ponds along the Pegnitz river, which flows through Nuremburg. Local restaurants specialized in a variety of carp recipes, especially ones with fried carp (delicious). Traditionally, in Franconia carp is served only in months with an R. In early evening, at a pond near our apartment, hundreds and hundreds of carp would rise to the surface of the pond gulping for air and roiling the water. It was quite a scene and always attracted an audience.