Stephen King penned a great article about the state of culture, books, movies and TV recently. The feature came via the Poet as a page ripped from a magazine, so citing the exact source is not possible at this hour. All that can be noted for certain: the author is Stephen King.

“I love my Kindle but what appears there has (so far) been backstopped by great publishers and layers of editing. If the e-book drives those guys out of business (or even into semi-retirement), what happens to the quality? For that matter, who pays the advances?”  – Stephen King

The beauty of Stephen King is that he can openly question what an industry that for years depended on his output can not even dare to murmur. I have nothing but respect for him as a writer and businessman. He’s done more to advance the cause of fiction writers than anyone alive.

I’m going to run a little further with his words now–in my own very frank terms.

Publishing as nearly everyone knew it since the Great Depression is over. Always before, publishing “righted” itself after a downturn–even a chronic one. No recession ever altered the fact that a few strong houses dominated the distribution channel; thus they controlled the talent, and by extension the content available to readers.

What happens when NYC literati lose control of the channel and the talent realizes the potential reward of reaching readers differently? I should think the least of the established traditional Old World acts worries ought to be their advances.

How about the fact that there are 1000 more potential Stephen Kings offstage, who suddenly have the same level of access to readers? Much like television, the most interesting books could come from alternative sources. A cable network of books, as it were.

Thinking beyond advances, what could less fettered competition do to the royalty statements of even the biggest literary hitters?

Great writers are so because they tell good stories, the sort that stay with the reader long after finishing the last page. With The Distant Shore, Mariam Kobras delivers on both points, and does so expertly.

Mariam stopped by for an interview as part of Day 5 in her Blog Hop tour. And so from one writer to another, here’s five questions an author wishes they would be asked about their writing.

Q: What influence do you hope readers recognize in your writing?

A: That’s a really tough question. I needed two cups of coffee before I could even start to think of an answer. In the end, the answer is really simple though: None.

I’m not really influenced by any other writer. Maybe by some art. I think Eric G. Thompson’s portraits of his wife Hilary influence my haikus. Maybe some music.  Not any specific artist, but songs, sometimes classical pieces. I put together playlists for every book.

But not other writers. I guess I just want to be my own best self.

Q: Who is the most important person or character to your writing life ?

A: Person – that would be our mutual boss ( Mary Chris Bradley ).  She allowed me to take myself seriously as a writer, to accept that I am, indeed, an author, and that my writing is good. It’s actually a lot harder to see myself in that light than I had thought.

It’s a bit of a guilty feeling too, like being that kid in the proverbial candy store. I’m still waiting for someone to slap my hand.

Character – definitely Jon Stone. I know him inside and out. Naomi, she’s still a mystery.
It’s funny how characters develop.

I remember how Solveigh came to life, Naomi’s right hand at the Seaside.

That moment when Naomi steps out of the elevator with that tray of plates, she sees Jon standing at the desk, talking to Solveigh. In that moment, when Naomi sees them, that was when I created Solveigh. Somebody had to stand there, and it turned out to be a lively, blond girl with a razor-sharp mind.

Q: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

A: At this point, probably a very unhappy housewife with an almost empty nest.
But you didn’t ask me what I would LIKE to be. Why not? I mean, it’s not as if being a writer is a conscious decision. You don’t wake up one morning and say to yourself, “Hey, I’m gonna be a writer!” It’s something that grows in you, and shapes itself into a passion at some point.

Now if I could DECIDE what I would like to be, I’d be on a starship. Or even better, I’d be resident writer on a starship. How cool would that be?

Q: What’s your favorite strategy for getting through a writing block?

A: I don’t use blocks. I use a MacBook. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Q: What do you hope people remember most about your books?

A: I hope it will be my writing style. I hope my readers will remember my writing like a melody, like a snatch of a song that keeps popping up in their minds for years and years.  I hope they will remember phrases and passages like a poem, remember the tune of the words, and hum them.

I’d also like them to remember my characters.

It would be nice if, after finishing the book, my readers would sometimes think back and wonder, “What would Jon Stone do in a situation like this?”

I mean – can you imagine JON STONE in hospital, maybe for a gall-bladder surgery, forced to wear one of those hospital gowns with the open back? Really, can you imagine?
Or – even worse, Naomi cooking Christmas dinner for the entire family?

No, I can’t see that one either.

Or maybe I can, but that book hasn’t been written yet . . .

Much thanks to Mariam. And now some marketing stuff from the Boss:

This was the fifth stop on Mariam’s “Love is in the Air” Blog Hop & Giveaway. We hope you enjoyed this review and will join us Wednesday at Teresa’s Reading Corner for a post called One Small Step for Woman with the author of The Distant Shore.

Buddhapuss Ink is giving away copies of Mariam’s book, along with some pretty terrific (and very romantic) gifts, as we count down to that most romantic day of the year—Valentine’s Day!

Want to enter the giveaway?

In order to enter, Tweet a link to this blog including the hashtag #TDSBlogHop. Make sure to include the hashtag!

Want another chance to win? CLICK HERE for all the info!