Ask the Author: Gary Sizer
Answered Questions (5)
Gary Sizer
Hi Anne!
Since finishing the second book I've been focusing on two things: in-person storytelling (I've begun performing and recording for NPR's "The Moth") and teaching.
You remember Voldemort from my AT hike... she and I started a hiking podcast last year called "Stories From The Trail" where you can hear us each week, on iTunes, Spotify, Youtube, etc.
As for a third book... looks like I'll need to go for another long walk first!
Gary
http://storiesfromthetrail.libsyn.com/
Since finishing the second book I've been focusing on two things: in-person storytelling (I've begun performing and recording for NPR's "The Moth") and teaching.
You remember Voldemort from my AT hike... she and I started a hiking podcast last year called "Stories From The Trail" where you can hear us each week, on iTunes, Spotify, Youtube, etc.
As for a third book... looks like I'll need to go for another long walk first!
Gary
http://storiesfromthetrail.libsyn.com/
Gary Sizer
Hi Leslie! Thank you for the kind words, and for your question. Boiling Springs is kind of right in the middle of it. It's rocks for days (whether you leave northbound or south.)
The good news is that the temperatures will be mild and most of the rattlesnakes will still be asleep. The mosquitoes will all be in Virginia as will most of the thru hikers. That means you'll have the big payoff views at the tops of those rock piles mostly to yourself!
The shelters in PA are some of the nicest too, as I recall. Not only are they well maintained, some of them are decorated and landscaped. You know, I kinda gave the state a rough review when I hiked through, but now you're making me second guess that assessment. I bet you'll have a great time!
Happy Trails,
Green Giant
PS: If you somehow mysteriously run into Lode while you're up there, tell him I said hi!
The good news is that the temperatures will be mild and most of the rattlesnakes will still be asleep. The mosquitoes will all be in Virginia as will most of the thru hikers. That means you'll have the big payoff views at the tops of those rock piles mostly to yourself!
The shelters in PA are some of the nicest too, as I recall. Not only are they well maintained, some of them are decorated and landscaped. You know, I kinda gave the state a rough review when I hiked through, but now you're making me second guess that assessment. I bet you'll have a great time!
Happy Trails,
Green Giant
PS: If you somehow mysteriously run into Lode while you're up there, tell him I said hi!
Gary Sizer
I'm working on the audio version of Where's the Next Shelter? and some more articles for Appalachian Trials. I also have another book in progress, and a long hike on my mind.
Gary Sizer
Focus on the story and don't get bogged down with the details. Those will come in the second through one-hundredth rewrites. Story first.
Writing is like building a sandcastle. You have to start with a great big pile of sand, which is your first draft. Then you walk around it countless times, adding towers and turrets, carving tiny windows and finally stepping back to dig the moat.
And always read. You are a writing machine and books are your fuel. What you read is up to you of course, just be aware that what you get out is a function of what you put in.
Writing is like building a sandcastle. You have to start with a great big pile of sand, which is your first draft. Then you walk around it countless times, adding towers and turrets, carving tiny windows and finally stepping back to dig the moat.
And always read. You are a writing machine and books are your fuel. What you read is up to you of course, just be aware that what you get out is a function of what you put in.
Gary Sizer
I move on to something else.
At any given point I have a few things in outline or draft, so I'll pick one and switch to that instead. Chances are, it's also something I put down earlier for the same reason.
If I shuffle through two or three works in progress and nothing's happening... I'm just not feeling the vibe and I know it, I go for a hike. No more keyboard work, now it's time to daydream.
When I begin, I don't start out with anything in mind. I try to pick a route just interesting enough that I lose myself in my surroundings and zone out. The increased heart rate and extra oxygen help a great deal too. Once I'm in the zone, the stories either finally come or they don't. If it's the latter, I'm still outside, so I really can't complain.
At any given point I have a few things in outline or draft, so I'll pick one and switch to that instead. Chances are, it's also something I put down earlier for the same reason.
If I shuffle through two or three works in progress and nothing's happening... I'm just not feeling the vibe and I know it, I go for a hike. No more keyboard work, now it's time to daydream.
When I begin, I don't start out with anything in mind. I try to pick a route just interesting enough that I lose myself in my surroundings and zone out. The increased heart rate and extra oxygen help a great deal too. Once I'm in the zone, the stories either finally come or they don't. If it's the latter, I'm still outside, so I really can't complain.
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Apr 01, 2019 11:57AM · flag