Member Spotlight: James Patrick Busha

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing for me has always been taking a jumbled ball of thoughts, words and phrases that all come zooming through my head at the speed of light, and then slowing them down to a snails pace while the pencil flows across the paper. Each and every one of us has our own stories to tell, it’s important for us to share them with the world.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I have to not think of the project I’m working-which goes against the process of having to tackle that beast. Sometimes going flying in an old airplane, like my 1943 Stinson L-5 clears my head. Other times it’s a workout listening to music that suddenly fills my head with all kinds of creative ideas. But the tried-and-true way is to convince that inner muse who lives in the pit of your soul, to get back to work-we have a cool story to write!

What is your favorite time to write? I am more of a night hawk-I envy those who hop out of bed and start banging away on the keyboard-I need a diet Coke or two to get going. On the flip side, once those early risers are sound asleep, I am scribbling away under the cover of darkness

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Stories are like building a house. You have to frame it and measure and hammer it together. That skeletal frame may look ugly to the passerby, but in your mind, you have an idea on how it will look. Then as you begin to put sheeting on walls, carpeting on floors, cabinets in kitchens and assorted furniture in its place, “your house” begins to take shape. Writing is a mirror image of all that. It will be rough and ugly at first, accept it and don’t dwell on it. Focus on the story ahead and enjoy the journey. Remember the only reader you need to impress is you.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I get excited every time I walk through and airport or get on a plane and see people reading. I get excited by walking in a book store by not only seeing all the various titles or genres, but by the amount of people browsing and buying books. I always make it a point to ask book readers while they are reading that particular book-for most of them it comes down to wanting to be entertained, or to learn more about history and how those events have shaped our present. If you thinking writing is the quick way to be bathed in riches-go play the lottery instead-you have a much better chance with six random numbers. Wring is about the passion, and for me preserving history so future generations never forget the sacrifices made by our past generations. There are plenty of writing opportunities out there, and if you have the drive and more importantly the passion and read the great books from others, learning the craft, then you will be well on your way to enjoying the fruits of your labor.

James Busha’s Gunslingers: Allied Fighter Boys of WWII is out now with Lyons Press.