Milton Library’s Writers Support Network – Conversation with Alex White

A Conversation with Alex White, the facilitator for the Writers Support Network at the Milton Library.

We recently caught up with our facilitator for the Writers Support Network to learn a little bit more about them and the work that goes into being a writer and the group.

What inspired you to become a writer, and how did your journey to publication begin?

“Everything! I love stories of all kinds--movies, comics, games, emergent media--yet every time I absorb someone else's work, I can't help but think, ‘How would I have done that differently?’ I'd always written as a child, mostly poetry inspired by Shel Silverstein, and I liked to draw pictures to accompany the work. In middle school, I made a photocopy horror zine and sold it for a quarter (I quickly found myself giving them away.). Then in high school, I remember leaving a movie with my friends and whining about the various flaws. One of them said, ‘If you're so great, I'd like to see you do better.’ That day, I vowed to do exactly that.”

Follow up: Were there any specific books or authors that influenced you early on?

“Shel Silverstein was a must-read for the children of my generation, as well as Alvin Schwartz. I also thoroughly enjoyed books on Greek and Roman mythology that I found in my school library. I read Watership Down way too young, but I feel every child needs at least one of those experiences. It gave me a view into the dark and twisted world of adulthood, and helped steel me for the things to come.”

Can you tell us about the book(s) you’ve written and what themes or messages you hope readers take away from them?

“I'm now working on my tenth published novel, so you'll have to pardon me if I ramble a bit.

I want my readers to understand the light of life in the other humans around them, to see how everyone is the main character of their own story. I want them to see themselves in my words and to empower them to bring their own beauty and mystery to others. Empathy is our most important trait, and stories enable us to experience new, challenging ideas and gain better understanding of ourselves--whether that's to learn who we love, or to find out that we're the villain of another person's tale. Conversely, cynicism--the belief that things can never be better and that people never change--is the death of the soul. Some people say that greed is the root of all evil, but we are social creatures who yearn to share our lives with others. Cynics are the ones who say, ‘Well, the world is doomed, so I may as well get what I can out of it.’

Second, I want to give hope. Sometimes it feels as though civilization is going to crush the last breath from my lungs, and I want to use it to make a beautiful song. Creation is life--I create to survive, and I live through the creations of others. The arc of the universe doesn't automatically bend toward justice; we must do that work ourselves through advocacy, civic engagement and personal sacrifice. And it's not a purity test! Every single person falls down, makes evil decisions, hurts others. That doesn't mean it's too late to change and make the most out of the time we have remaining.”

Follow up: Have readers interpreted your work in surprising ways?

“Yes, occasionally one of my readers will tell me how glad they are that my books ‘aren't political,’ and it makes me very upset. To be clear: black lives matter, trans lives matter, genocide is bad no matter who is committing it, America was built on stolen labor and land as much as the dreams of enslavers like Thomas Jefferson, and all books have agendas. Every day, I am exposed to the agendas of the major corporations, media empires and politicians who steamroll our lives, so I may as well fight back with some thoughts of my own. Writers who say books aren't political are merely enthusiastic supporters of the status quo, and to be lumped in with those authors feels like a personal failing every single time. Inevitably, these comments arise around my Alien works, which are venomously angry at the system of capitalism, so I don't get it.”

Did libraries or reading play a role in your early life or writing career?

“As a child, I lived in the library. In that hallowed space, I could try anything, read anything, learn anything. The people there would help me find any answer I needed, coordinate entertainment, promote new technologies and so on. One of the great crimes of our time is the censoring and destruction of library independence. These places are critical to a thinking population and required for the empowerment of the impoverished and marginalized. It's no wonder that enemies of intelligence target them first.”

Follow up: Do you have a favorite memory of visiting a library as a child or young adult?

“When I was 11 years old, I saw Alien 3 and was devastated that Ripley died. My librarian helped me find the address of 20th Century Fox, figure out what a producer did, and then send a letter to the studio with suggestions for how they could correct the next film. She also gave me books on how to make my own movies and write screenplays, just in case no one listened. Last year, I wrote the screenplay for Alien: Rogue Incursion, the first-ever VR game to take place in the franchise, so I would say that's time well-spent.”

Follow up: How do you think libraries continue to support writers today?

“Libraries are the lifeblood of every published author. They represent a substantial customer base, and every time you check out a book, that financially benefits the writer in a roundabout way. It's important to note that this is the true purpose of book bans--to starve people like me. If I'm not allowed to be in the library, publishers will deem that an unacceptable risk, and investment in diverse books will crumble.

But let's go beyond that. In this age of digital con artistry, it can be hard to find true expertise and nuanced viewpoints. It turns out that the best way to learn is to take a journey through a book or longform story so that we can grasp the magnitude and complexities of the subject. Finally, libraries provide me with an exceptional place to work. It's a quiet third space where I can be alone with my thoughts in the presence of greatness. When inspiration falters, I can look to the thousands of other pioneers who have come before me and know that I'm not alone in my quest. Most third spaces are things like coffee shops and coworking farms, and those cost a lot of money. Libraries are beautiful, clean, friendly, educational and safe, and that's priceless.”

What does your writing process look like — do you follow a routine, or is it more spontaneous?

“Sometimes, writing is lighting a bit of incense and cranking through words while listening to jazz records. Others, it's going out to a ramen shop or the library and staring at my iPad. Often, I will be in my basement plastering the walls with so many sticky notes that it looks like I'm tracking a serial killer. When I write, I have to follow my needs. It's like foraging. I go where the words will appear.”

Follow up: Do you prefer quiet or background noise when you write?

“I like wordless music, foreign music I can't understand, or music that I know very well. Jazz and trance are particular favorites. I make a playlist for every book when I'm writing on the go, and I pick records to enjoy for specific scenes. I can't have the music oppose the mood of what I'm writing, and I can't listen to spoken word. I love hip hop, but I find myself engaging with the genius of the lyricist instead of being able to create my own sentences.”

Do you have any advice for young or emerging writers who dream of becoming published authors?

“Don't despair. It's going to be a hard road, and the publishing industry is always a trash fire (thanks, private equity). You can't equate the light inside your heart with the dollar value it commands. Your words, experiences and identity are beyond any stock valuation, and that means that you need to write because you love it--not to get famous, not to get rich, just love. Forget about social media. Forget the current trends and stop chasing the zeitgeist. Focus on your craft and keep following the horizon. You can always improve and you know it. Furthermore, join a writer's group. It's so powerful to share your work with others and see their reactions. After all, writing isn't simply about the writer; there's someone on the receiving end you have to consider.”

Follow up: What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before you were published?

“Keep your dignity. Always value yourself and never let anyone take advantage of your dream. People who succeed in publishing do so because they are driven to fight for their ambitions, but make sure that you don't sacrifice yourself to win. It's a short term gain, but in the end, it only devalues you in the eyes of those who might use you. This could be an agent who charges to read manuscripts, an editor who ties inappropriate advances to book contracts, or just the pressure of a community to engage with social media when you don't feel like it. Write the stories you want to write and believe in yourself. Never stop trying to improve, and others will eventually be forced to accept you whether they want to or not. Never ever ever be afraid to walk away when something doesn't feel right.”

Thanks for spending the time with us, Alex, and we look forward to the group meeting next month (September 2).