EricDockett, From USA, 153 Fans, 38 Hubs, Joined 16 months ago
|
|
Christy Kirwan Interviews Eric Dockett
Insights from a Musician, Paranormal Enthusiast, and Ocean-Lover
What made you decide to start writing on HubPages?
I started my “writing career” as a novelist. I wrote three of them before figuring out I wasn’t very good at promoting my work, or approaching agents, or networking, or doing much of anything aside from writing the stories. I’d about given up when I was up late one night and ended up searching for other ways to make some money through writing. I was thinking about selling freelance stories to online magazines or something, but HubPages kept coming up. I figured I’d give it a try. I’ve since tried just about every platform out there, but I always end up back at HubPages.
You've written many great nautical-themed Hubs. What do you find most interesting about marine life and nautical history?
Thanks! I’ve always loved the sea, but in recent years I’ve become particularly fascinated. There is just something amazing about the ocean, and of course the creatures that live beneath the surface. I’d have to say some of the most interesting things are going on right now. Improved technology means researchers are able to learn more, see more and do more than ever before. Last year the giant squid was filmed on camera at length for the first time ever. There are some incredible tag and track programs going on with sharks that show behaviors researchers never even would have imagined. Thanks to the work done by environmentalists and marine biologists more countries are starting to realize the implications of their actions when it comes to the ocean ecosystems. It’s easy to feel like technology is somehow dooming us and our planet, but when it comes to the ocean the smarter we get the better we take care of it.
Of all your Hubs, which is your favorite and why?
My favorites are always the ones that make me chuckle while I’m writing them. I’d say my Hub If Bigfoot is Real Where are the Bones? fits that description. As writers we are supposed to be as factual and trustworthy as we can, and only tackle topics we can handle with authority. So, do I know where all the Bigfoot bones are? Of course not! But I can round up the best theories and present them, offer my own perspective, and hopefully get the reader thinking about where those darned bones might be. One of the reasons I love writing about the paranormal is because it’s the closest I’ve been able to come to getting paid to write fiction. When you’re dealing with the unknown you can never really be wrong, so I just try not to be boring.
I really enjoy your Bigfoot and UFO Hubs. Have you ever had a paranormal experience yourself?
Thank you! I’ve had a few haunted-house experiences, but here’s an odd story that happened a few years ago: I was looking out my kitchen window one morning and I noticed someone had crossed my backyard. It had snowed the night before, and I could see the tracks they'd left. It seemed strange that someone would cross my property like that, since there is nowhere to go but woods, but I didn’t think much of it.
A little while later I took the dog out and I noticed the tracks were very far apart. Whoever had made them had a very long stride. I’m six feet tall and I tried to walk along next to them. I couldn’t even come close to that stride. They must have been made by someone a lot taller than myself. I followed them from one corner of my property to the other. They went straight into (or came out of) the woods. The snow was kind of mushy by the time I examined the tracks, so I couldn’t make out any details, except to say they were large and whatever made them definitely seemed bipedal. At that point I started to wonder if the tracks were made not by someone but by something.
Of course it’s much more likely some animal somehow made the tracks. But hey, you never know!
What do you do to overcome writer's block?
Honestly, I don’t have much trouble with writer’s block. I think writer’s block is largely a symptom of being unfocused. For me the key is staying organized and having a plan, not just for what I’ll write today, but for what I’m trying to accomplish as a whole. Sometimes creative people seem to think they can't get anything done until inspiration strikes, but there's a lot we can do to help the process along. I don't have the patience to wait for my muse to show up. I’d rather go find her and drag her into my office.
Your profile mentions that you're a musician, and you've written many Hubs on guitars. If you could have any guitar in the world, which one would you choose and why?
I’ve always wanted a white Gibson Les Paul Custom like Randy Rhoads played. Rhoads is one of my biggest influences, and all-time favorite guitarists. I guess his guitar was more of a cream-ish, off-white color, but Gibson’s Alpine White is close enough for me. Unfortunately I’ve never been able to justify dropping four grand on a guitar! Maybe if I write a few more Hubs . . .
|
