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Author interview: Trent Zelazny
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Trent Zelazny is the author of the novel Destination Unknown, to be released by Brick Tower Press in December of 2009. He is also the author of the collection of thriller/horror short stories entitled The Day the Leash Gave Way and Other Stories to be released by Wilder Publications in late October. He has also published nearly fifty short stories in a variety of genres including horror, humor, erotica and suspense. Prior to focusing on his writing career Zelazny was a professional drummer and has studied martial arts, animation, and film. The son of the late award-winning fantasy author Roger Zelazny, Trent Zelazny is now striking out to find his own voice in the cut-throat world of publishing.
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What drives you to write?
I feel I don’t have a choice. There is something inside me that won’t allow me to ignore it; whether the work I turn out is good or not. What drives someone to pummel a punching bag, or run a marathon? I believe that there is something dark that lurks within all of us, and insists on being released in one way or another—art, athletics, what-have-you. Everyone needs some sort of release, and some kind of outlet for that release. In my field, I can be as crazy as I want or need to be. As Steve Martin’s character said in Three Amigos, “In our own way, we all have a personal El Guapo to face.”
What do you consider to be your most significant accomplishment?
Getting paid to do what I love, and having my son (well, actually his mom did most of the work). Also, I can teach myself anything that interests me, to one degree or other.
How would you describe your muse?
A voice. Usually its sounds like either my father or Sybil Dorsett. Occasionally it’s Orson Welles. Sometimes I need to take long walks, or spend many hours bouncing a tennis ball to get the voice to speak, but it always does, eventually.
What would you say is the best cure for “writer’s block”?
Writer’s block, to me, is mostly a fear of writing something terrible. Don’t think about how you are going to write the next Grapes of Wrath or American Gods (whatever your taste may be). Make a point of sitting at your computer, or with a pen and paper, and don’t worry too much about what comes out. If you are willing to work through the tough times, you’ll get to the good ones. Don’t be afraid to write lousy sentences, or short stories that make no sense whatsoever. If you are willing and determined, you’ll push through all of that and—who knows?—maybe write the next Grapes of Wrath or American Gods.
Outside of writing, what are your other passions/interests?
My most recent real interest is baseball. What a fascinating game. I also love movies and pop/rock music. I love all kinds of movies, from Idiocracy and Along Came Polly to High Sierra and Public Enemy to Come and See and Bob le flambeur. Another form of storytelling, and I love it. As far as music goes, if you have fun then just enjoy it. My current favorite is Avril Lavigne. Also been listening to The Damned a lot lately. Yet no one can top Devo, The Beatles or The Ramones, in my opinion.
What is your advice to young writers/first time authors?
Read a lot. Write a lot. Make sure you draw from anything that interests you, but always write, write, write. And don’t be afraid to write something unpublishable. I have a bulging shoebox full of rejections, and the first book I sold was the tenth I wrote. Keep at it and don’t give up.
What do you want the world to remember you for the most?
That I wasn’t just another guy.
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For more information on Trent Zelazny visit trentzelazny.com.
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