TCT’s Hollywood Interview #2

…with Daniel Ausema

The Cartesian Theatre now welcomes guests from around the worldosphere, with an invitation to tell us all about themselves – in 25 words or less. Okay, okay, it’s not as bad as all that: they get 25 words per answer. They can wax lyrical if they want, but beware: I edit with an axe…

Still no theme music, sorry – give it time. This week, let’s give a big hand to Daniel Ausema, who has committed himself more deeply to the cause of steampunk than I will ever be able…

Hi, Daniel, tell us “all” about yourself.

I’m a writer and stay-at-home dad to three kids; I grew up in scenic West Michigan and live at the edge of the Colorado Rockies.

“Stay-at-home”…why, that’s just a cunning plan to evade the word count! What is the most inspirational thing you’ve ever read – and why?

Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch – because it takes inspiration from fields of music, acting, and visual art and applies them generally to making creative work of all kinds.

What was your first published work?

Thirteen years ago I had a poem, Montgó, in Red River Review, and an earnest literary short story, Subversives, in Out of Line.

What is the best thing you’ve never had published?

My series of artsy, atmospheric stories set in a bizarre tree city. Two have been published, but most get, “Wow! …but not right for us.”

Given the question, I can only assume the published ones were the worst of them! What are you most proud of – in your life, not just your writing?

My family. They demand a lot of my time, but they’re a huge part of who I am.

Tell us about your latest work – novel, short story, shopping list, whatever.

I’m writing Season Two of Spire City, a steampunk serial of mad scientists and rebellious outcasts. The second Season One bundle is released this week!

Pitch us your unwritten masterpiece – you’re in the Hollywood elevator now…

What if, as a generation spaceship approached its destination, war erupted between hopeful settlers and others wanting to change plans and stay on the ship?

If only one person was to ever read your work – who would you want it to be?

My oldest son – he’s become interested in my writing and clamours for me to finish the next Spire City episodes, even though they aren’t aimed at his age.

What are your plans for the future – all of it?

Keep creating, keep writing my wild flights of imagination, and keep finding readers who enjoy never knowing what kind of story I might tell next.

Okay, congrats to Daniel for coming through unscathed! You can find out more about him at his blog, but Daniel also returned here for a more in depth chat, so why not check out my follow up “Call Back” interview here.

Click the pic to check out the
other Hollywood Interviews!