Vocalcoach Interviews WillStarr
An exchange with HubPages' premiere author of western short stories
Will. I want to thank you for taking time to chat with me. I'd like to begin by asking you to give a little background about yourself.
Hi, Audrey, and I’m honored. I’m a genuine senior citizen, retired after many years in the construction business, where I was in charge of building stores for a major retailer. Prior to that, I was in electronics, and I am proud to say that I had a role in the space race and the moon landings. I’m also a licensed pilot, and I occasionally write an aviation story.
When did you first begin writing and what motivated you to write?
I was an early reader, and fascinated with the written word. I made up stories as a child and put them on paper as soon as I learned to write. During most of my adult years, I wrote little, other than business papers, but after I retired, I decided to try my hand at fiction. I have been writing fiction for about three years now.
How did you discover HubPages?
My good friend Suziecat7 recommended HubPages, and as soon as I looked it over, I knew I had found a great place to test the waters. I liked the format, and the fact that most readers are also authors. Who better to tell you what they think, so you can grow as a writer?
When did your love of western stories begin?
When I was a boy, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry were in their heyday. All little boys were cowboys, and we all had our cap pistols for shootouts after school. Sure, there were also heroes like Superman, but in the end, there was nothing like the cowboys, the Indians, the horses, and the old west.
I am also an avid reader of authors like Zane Grey, and Louis L’Amour. In fact, I have a complete collection of L’Amour.
Do you write elsewhere and if so where can we find your articles?
Will Starr is my pen name, and I use it exclusively on HubPages. I wrote under my own name for a large western site, but there was no provision for reader feedback, so while I’m still a member, I seldom contribute these days. Feedback is everything.
You are admired by so many people on HubPages. What do you contribute that admiration and respect to?
I appreciate that compliment, and frankly, I’m surprised by it! I try to comment on as many Hubs as I can, precisely because feedback, good or bad, is so important to a writer. I guess my fellow writers appreciate such efforts.
I have to admit that I am also pleased beyond measure that my stories are well received.
What else would you like to explore in your own life?
I’d like to resume oil painting, and we also want to explore western ghost towns, right after we get back from Europe. We have plans!
As you write for HubPages, have you learned anything about yourself?
I suppose we all question our own abilities, so it’s very rewarding to learn that others appreciate your work. In fact, it’s thrilling to read some of the comments and compliments. I was stunned to be selected best fiction writer. That really made me take another look at myself.
What advice would you give to new people who have just joined HubPages?
Write your heart out, because that’s why you’re here. Comment on the work of others, but never be condescending. If you have a helpful criticism, contact the author directly. Try to find the redeeming feature in a Hub and comment on that, but if you can’t, maybe it’s better to simply let it be.
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