Q & A with author John Vorhaus and Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications

SJF: Tell us about your book or written piece.
JV: My most recent book is A White Belt in Art, the story of my late-in-life journey from words to pictures and back again. After a lifetime of writing, I decided to give art a try, but didn’t want insecurity or unrealistic expectations to hold me back, so I went for a white belt in art, because the white belt is the one they give you for just showing up.

SJF: What has your experience been as a writer in San Diego?
JV: I have no experience of being a writer in San Diego. I have, however, been a writer in Russia and New Zealand and elsewhere all around the world. I have also taught and trained writers in three dozen countries on five continents (at last count).

SJF: How has storytelling influenced your life?
JV: It really made my career. Early on, as a television writer, I felt like I didn’t understand story at all. I’ve always believed that if I want to learn how to do something, I should find someone to pay me to teach it, so that’s what I did. This launched my twin careers as a writer (of more than two dozen books) and an international teacher and trainer (see above).

SJF: If you had a magic wand, what kind of opportunities would be available to writers in San Diego?
JV: Paychecks. Fat paychecks, and a whole damn lot of them. Sadly, in today’s market, the availability of free content really degrades opportunities for authors to earn a living wage.

SJF: What are you excited about when it comes to participating in the inaugural San Diego Writers Festival?
JV: Introducing my classic comedy-writing text, The Comic Toolbox: How to Be Funny Even if You’re Not, to a whole new group of writers.

SJF: What advice would you give to a new writer in San Diego?
JV: If you want to get better, write more. If you want to get a lot better, write a lot more.

SJF: What are you working on now?

JV: My latest work in progress is The Comic Toolbox Companion: A Collection of Selected Works. I hope to have advance copies available on the day.

SJF: Is it true you wrote a book called A Million Random Words?
JV: Indeed I did. It started as a joke, but it’s really useful for finding interesting character names and turns of phrase, or seeding creative exercises, or writing demented poetry.

SJF: How many kinds of problems are there in this world?
JV: Only two kinds of problems: my problem, and not my problem.

SJF: How did you get your start?
JV: I gave it to myself. I was 25 years old, enjoying success as an advertising copywriter. Fearful of getting stuck in that career, I quit my job and became a singer-songwriter. It took me five years to figure out that there were two things I couldn’t do particularly well: sing, and play guitar. But I also learned how to self-motivate, have a disciplined and active practice of writing, and hustle for a living wage. In my career I have written everything from coming-of-age novels to books on poker (ten of ‘em!). I believe that versatility and constant growth are the difference-makers for a real working writer. Oh and, you know, actually putting words on the page.

SJF: I hear you have a sure-fire cure for writer’s block. Can you share it, please?
JV: Of course. Writer’s block takes place at the intersection of too much fear and not enough information. When we get stuck, it’s because we don’t know what comes next. The awareness of this triggers our fear — fear that we may never know what comes next. At this point, the writing brain is in spasm and can’t function. When that happens, simply do this: don’t write. Instead, gather more information. That task is easy and fun, and it lets the writing brain relax. Next thing you know — supported by new information — you are writing again.

SJF: Thank you for that. That’s a big help.
JV: Don’t thank me; I define myself through service.

SJF: Is it true that you do cartoons as well?
JV: Yes.

SJF: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
JV: Yes: If you can’t be right, be loud; if you’re loud enough long enough, you will appear to be right.

Learn More about John Vorhaus
Learn More about Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications