An Interview With Author Robert Preston Walker, by Lori Ann MooreA Personal Note From Robert Preston Walker:I have something important to share with all budding, and seasoned, Authors and StoryTellers.I don't know if all Authors would agree with me, but I do know that all Great StoryTellers will.I have had many, many, many, many (have I said it enough to make my point?) Authors tell me that it the STORY that is Paramount. That a Great Story sells itself! That a Great Story will sell billions of copies! That the Readers of this World LOVE a Great Story.They say it like a 'Mantra', like just saying it often enough makes it so!Poppycock and Hogwash! (gotta love the English for that Phrase!) WHAT ABSOLUTE DRIVEL!(This statement, or conclusion if you will, is not uttered without thought. It is the result from years of countless questions and surveys that I have taken with Readers.)It is NOT a Great Story that sells itself. It is a Great StoryTeller that does that!It is NOT THE STORY, it is THE WAY IT IS TOLD!!!!!Any avid Reader will confirm that Great (almost forgotten) Rule.I have had many people tell me that they were given Mr. Smoke, (my novel Novel) as a gift and that they did not usually read my type of book, (genre is the word Publishers call it) but they LOVED IT and were looking forward to my next one. That only reinforced what I had been told by Readers.Authors and StoryTellers EVERYWHERE, Please Understand This ... Readers are the same as Movie Goers.MOVIE GOERS ONLY WANT TO GO TO WELL DONE MOVIES! The top grossing movies are the best told and shown. It is NOT THE STORY, it is the way it is Presented.I found that ALL the Movie Goers, that I talked to, had their Favorite Type of Movie, but would watch any that were done well!Stop and think of it from their perspective.Take the time to make your Good Story ... GREAT!!I strive with all my being to do Exactly that! I try to make a Good Story Great!I have been told by many that, with Mr. Smoke, I have succeeded.And Now ... ON WITH THE INTERVIEW!Q) Tell us about 'Mr. Smoke'A) 'Mr. Smoke' is my first novel.It can be purchased at all fine BookSellers, online at Amazon.com, at MrSmoke.net and Kindle.Q) How long did it take to write your first book?A) I would estimate: fourteen to eighteen months, full time.Q) If you couldn't ever write again, what would you be doing?A) From all that I've read, If I could never write again, I would do as most do in that position. I would become a Literary Critic. (I did warn you about my sense of humor, didn't I?)Seriously, IF I COULD NEVER WRITE AGAIN, would never happen! That is an impossibility to me. To me, there is nothing we (and I do mean WE, as in ALL OF US) can't do, if we want to bad enough.Q) How did you first become interested in writing?A) The first memory that comes to mind is a grade one school memory of when I was six years old. I had to write an invitation letter to my parents to attend a 'something' at school. Every other child in class wrote a three or four sentence invitation. I wrote a four page invitation. I remember looking words up in the dictionary so that it would seem like it was written by an adult. I don't remember what the 'something' was, but I sure do remember writing the four page Invitation (and the response I received).Q) How long have you been actively writing?A) For as long as I can remember.Q) Do you currently write as a profession?A) As they say in the golf industry, that is a GIMME.When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them emphatically and excitedly, "I tell stories for a living! And I am almost positive that; that would Universally qualify me as a Professional 'Master StoryTeller'."Then I like to add, "Oh, and not just any old stories ... I have been told that I tell GREAT STORIES! Mesmerising Stories that grow inside you with a power that drives and creates those Wonderful, Mystical and Magical Wings of Flight to your Limitless Imagination ... until it becomes as much your story as mine!"Then I finish with. "And ... if I've done my job write, (get the pun?) you will become addicted to my way of StoryTelling and keep coming back for more." (Mr Smoke (my new novel Novel) is always brought up at this time. Usually by me:-) Gets 'em every time!!!Mr. SmokePrice: $17.99List Price: $17.99Mr. SmokePrice: $9.95Q) What Is Your Goal In Writing?A) I love this question, Lori! Thank you for it.My goal, as a Master StoryTeller, is to entertain, educate and enlighten. I have learned some fabulous TRUTHS from being an avid Reader. I want to pass it forward. My novel Novels will always be about the journey.To me, Robert Preston Walker, the Story's Destination is only the Starting Point of another Great Story waiting to be told.Q) Would you rather write a book that sells millions of copies, but have it be "Celebrity Fluff" - or write an award winning novel that no one reads? And why does it matter?A) Great Questions! These questions brings out the Best, and the Worst, in me! I love it.And I will answer your questions seriously. If humor sneaks in, forgive me. It is meant with no slight intended.To me, as a Professional Master StoryTeller, if I sold millions of dollars worth on a piece of "Celebrity Fluff" (whatever in the world that means) I would say yes in less than a heartbeat.The "Celebrity Fluff" would open the doors to the Award Winning Novel that EveryOne WOULD read!In my innermost being, and with every fiber of my being I believe that:EVERY WORD EVER WRITTEN IS JUST SOMEONE'S OPINION OF WHAT THEY ARE WRITING ABOUT. (Think about it.)In a very real way, everything ever written is FICTION. Or started out as. The fact is: Once the world was Flat.Let's not make it More than that. But then again, let's not make it Less than that, either!In other words, I think we should let the Readers use the intelligence that he or she was gifted with, to be the Judge.In my opinion, we humans are living in the most exciting time in the history of mankind. Look at how fast and far the world has come in the last hundred years.Q) Are You An Avid Reader?A) In my humble opinion, no StoryTeller worth their salt, isn't! Or, at the very minimum, wasn't. Remember, this is just my opinion. You can never be a Great StoryTeller if you haven't experienced Great StoryTellers Stories! I think you will find that Even the Naturally Gifted StoryTellers will agree.Q) Who are your favorite Authors?A) I have read too may different Authors and StoryTellers from way too many genres to know where to begin. I will, and have, read anything from anybody if well written and entertaining.Q) Who's writing style does your work most resemble?A) I honestly don't know, Lori. I have been told by an avid reader that I highly respect, that my form of StoryTelling is ... and this is exactly how it was described at a book Signing that I was doing, and I quote ... "Robert's Genre and StoryTelling are ... UnQuantifiable! In a Great Way! Get his Book!" This passionate reader prequalified her opinion by saying that she had read a minimum of three books a week for the last SIXTY YEARS! (Needless to say, I sold a lot of novel Novels that day!)Q) The Writing ProcessQ) Do you write on a schedule?A) Yes I do. Do I always succeed? Mostly.Q) Do you write in one particular place?A) Absolutely! When I am in my WRITING PLACE, I feel the need to WRITE! As a matter of interest, it is where I am doing this Interview. (Thank you for the Invitation, by the way!)Q) Do you write from home?A) Absomundo! It is my favorite place. Nestled within the Enchanted Forest, I am in my Glory!Q) Do you prefer to work in a quiet environment?A) Absolutely! Distractions have cost me some of my best lines.Q) Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what type of music do you listen to and why?A) No, I don't listen to music when I write. I am a published Singer and SongWriter. I do that out in my Recording Studio, ShadowMan Productions Recording Studios. (Where we record the Musical side of Storytelling!)PS: My intention, as a Master StoryTeller, is to entertain you (Not Myself!)I sometimes think some authors lose sight of that.I pray I never do.PPS: My next novel Novel (2nd in the Smoke Series) is 'Gotcha!' It will be available in the fall 2010.Thanks for the visit. You can find out more at MrSmoke.net.