Member Spotlight: Michael Zajaczkowski

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing isn’t a decision for me–it’s something I’m compelled to do. It’s as natural as brushing my teeth or eating breakfast. And, like breakfast, I feel empty if I don’t do it each morning. Moreover, when I write, the world and all the problems in it (and my own worries or concerns) fade into the background and I know peace. Important for the world? Without all the writers in the world, where would we all be? What kind of inner life would we have without the great and insightful thoughts that writers throughout the world have given us?

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? Write in a journal. I do “morning pages” every morning while I sip my coffee. Three pages of whatever is in my head. I let any writer’s block fight it out there. If I stay with it, it always does work out. Once I’ve done my three pages, I’m motivated and in the flow of writing. Then I get back to the next page or sentence I was working on the day before.

What is your favorite time to write? Always mornings (after my morning pages). I’m the most fresh in the morning hours (from about 8:30 am to 11 or noon). And once the inspiration is gone, I hang it up for the day and then do whatever else I have to do that day with a clear consciousness.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Don’t try to be perfect. Just get it all out and on the page. Writing is rewriting. And rewriting again. And again. Michael Crichton once said it was quite humbling to have finished the twelfth draft of his manuscript only to discover he had a lot of work yet to do. That was comforting to no end and let me know that it’s in the process. In the rewrite. Or the thirteen rewrite.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I’m finally coming into my own as a writer. As David Bowie said: “The wonderful thing about aging is you finally become the person you always should have been.” That’s happened for me. Regarding “in today’s age?” Because I’m now writing just for me, working hard to become the best writer I can be, and writing the material that has always whispered to me, I don’t have to rely on getting a publishing deal with a traditional publisher for me to get my truth out. I can self-publish and even give it away (free Kindle). Fortunately, I’ve been able to get a traditional book deal for my next book, “The Owner’s Manual to Life: In case you missed that day in school when they handed it out.” But my novel, “The Angel” I can publish as I see fit. That’s a nice age to be a part of. Finally, I also get to promote myself on my terms. I’ve just spent three months working with a webmaster (and my wife) to design and build my website that reveals who I have become. You can visit it here: https://michaelzbooks.com/

Michael Zajaczkowski’s The Owner’s Manual to Life: In Case You Missed That Day in School When They Handed It Out is out today with Health Communications Inc.