Thoughtwrestling interview – JC Hutchins

JC Hutchins is a writer who became well known in the social media and podcasting spheres for his 7th Son series of novels, which he released as free podcasts.  He has published two novels to date: 7th Son:  Descent; and Personal Effects:  Dark Art and he has released many podcasting projects for free.

Hutchins has recently stopped working on free projects in order to concentrate more fully on advancing his writing career aspirations.  He wrote about his decision at length at his blog in February 2010.

We asked JC our customary ten questions, to which he graciously responded.  Check it out!

It’s been over a month since your announcement. How do you feel about your post and your decision to put your podcasting projects on hold to focus on paid work?

I feel a sense of relief, and renewed creative focus. I owe a great deal to the fans of my podcast fiction; they’re the number one reason why Descent, the first novel in my 7th Son technothriller trilogy, was published last year. But I recently realized that by continuing to focus my limited time on releasing Free content, I was outright eliminating opportunities to spend that time make a living wage with my words.

This was a nerve-wracking discovery. I had spent the past four years entertaining my fans for Free — it had become my mantra, a lifestyle — and I knew that my relevance in the social media and podcast spaces greatly hinged on producing more Free content in the continuing months and years. And yet, my long-term goals of becoming a career fiction writer seemed at odds with that.

It was the most difficult decision I’ve ever made. I was — and remain — absolutely, vociferously loyal and grateful to my audience. But I chose to do what I believe is best for myself and career. By focusing on producing content that I can sell, I am committing to a sustainable strategy that I suspect will be a winner in the long run … and in doing so, continue to entertain my audience. It all works out.

With the exception of a few dissenting blogo- and podosphere pundits, my audience has overwhelming supported my decision. I didn’t expect that. At every turn, my fans exceed my wildest expectations. They’re the best fans in the world.

The thing about Free is that it’s a great way to expose your work to the world. The bad thing about Free is that there’s not a great incentive to pay for it when it comes out in a paid format. Do you think that ultimately you make the transition from Free work by having talent, distribution AND (most importantly) creating a connection with your readers so they like you enough to buy your stuff (similar to Kevin Kelly’s idea about 1000 true fans)?

Yes. I think there’s great truth in Kelly’s 1,000 True Fans premise, and we see artists benefit from that every day in various media. Ultimately, I think the most important things creators must consider before diving into the Free model is their present ambition and future goals. If the creators’ immediate and long-term needs is external validation for their work and nothing more, the Free model works wonderfully. Everyone wins: creators assume all responsibility for concocting and distributing their work, and consumers enjoy that content at no risk, often providing the delightful feedback creators crave.

If the immediate need is building an audience, Free is still a winner. If the long-term goal is making money from one’s creative work in traditional channels (such as getting published by an mainstream Big Publisher), this is where things can become problematic. Creators may feel pressure or obligation to continue releasing Free content to please their fans … but by dedicating creative time and effort to writing, producing, distributing and promoting unpaid work, they risk pulling attention and resources away from long-term Paid career goals. This is a very real risk.

That’s not to say that Free and Paid cannot peacefully co-exist — they can, and do. And that’s not to say independent creators cannot make money through emerging channels such as self-publishing — they do. But it is absolutely critical for creators to be relentlessly protective of their creative time and resources, and spend them wisely.

The riskiest time creators using the Free model face is when they have something to sell. There is no accountability or obligation for fans to monetarily support their work. Savvy creators fully understand this risk when they got into the Free game. There’s great value in the loss-leader model, but creators who ignore the risks may be doomed to experience some disappointment.

Who are the writers that inspire you?

Stephen King is an endless inspiration. I’m also presently enjoying thriller writers Joseph Finder and Jeffrey Deaver. James Cameron is another lifelong inspiration. His Aliens is one of the best ensemble cast movies I’ve ever seen. Each character is so well-realized.

Can you tell us a humorous story that involved something that you were writing?

I could tell you about how, nearly ten years ago, I was a newspaperman sent to write a story about a goat — and how that goat nearly ate my belt — but I reckon the silliest thing in recent memory was when I was writing my supernatural thriller, Personal Effects: Dark Art. The book features a demonic entity called The Dark Man, essentially a personification of darkness and vengeance. I’d written hundreds of pages without revealing what the monster looked like, but knew I’d have to deliver the goods by the story’s end.

The time came, and I was forced to describe the creepy visuals in my head. I described the beast in snippets through my hero’s fear-drenched, paranoid point of view:

“Electrified contortionist, jointless sea-snake limbs jigging, kicking wild … head rocking side-to-side, gleeful mania, see-saw-see-saw, cheeks clapping against obsidian shoulders …”

To best create those descriptions, I had to physically perform The Dark Man’s movements — its palsied arms, the head-rocking, its fingers tickling the air. It really helped me capture the essence of the creature on paper, but I had a moment of self-awareness during the creative process. There I was, sitting in my office chair, looking like an absolute spaz: I was flailing my arms, making snarling sounds, bobbing my head like a chicken. I laughed out loud, grateful that I was alone.

Do you prefer the keyboard to the pen?

I do nearly all of my brainstorming with a pen and pad. I do a lot of front-end planning about my story’s world and characters, lots of notes and Post-Its and emails to myself. I then usually plot out major narrative beats on paper, and then refine the plot when I bring it into my word processor. Nothing beats a great pen/paper brainstorming session, though.

Do you have a favorite comic book and/or comic book character?

The Flash, hands down. I’d love to have superspeed like him. I began reading comics in earnest in college, when character Wally West was The Flash. I don’t have the undying fanboy love for Barry Allen (who was The Flash before Wally, and is a fan-favorite), mostly because I didn’t grow up reading the comics in which he appeared. I dig Wally, and his flaws, and the preposterous — yet very dangerous — villains he fights. Writers Mark Waid and Geoff Johns told some masterful Flash tales. They’re two of my favorite comics writers.

I love DC Comics, and mostly dig where its creators have taken the universe. But I’m often contrary when it comes to DC Silver Age superheroes and their Modern Age counterparts. I prefer the modern(ish) “Kyle Rayner” Green Lantern to old school Hal Jordan, and the “Connor Hawke” Green Arrow to classic Oliver Queen. Again, this hails mostly from when I started really reading comics, which was in the 1990s. Of course, both Hal and Oliver are back in their original roles as Green Lantern and Green Arrow. A lot’s changed in the DC Universe in the past fifteen years.

And yes, I am a nerd.

If you had the opportunity to write a mainstream comic book (e.g. one published by Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, etc.), which one would it be and why?

Again, The Flash — though I’d love to take a crack at any character in the DC Universe. My prose and screenwriting styles are highly influenced by the “widescreen” spectacle found in superhero comics, and I’ve always been keen to write for the medium. I think Superman would provide some unique creative challenges. It’s difficult — but not impossible — to resonantly characterize a man with the powers of a god. But The Flash. Yes. A thousand yeses.
What’s the best advice that you ever received about your writing?

The best writing advice I ever received was from Brad Meltzer, one of my favorite novelists. He writes mostly political thrillers, but does comics writing as well. I met him at a signing, told him I was writing 7th Son, and was stuck in Act Two. “I’ve built a lot of momentum,” I said, “and I think I know where this is all eventually going — but how do move forward right now? What do I do?”

Meltzer replied, “Ask yourself, ‘What happens next?’” I blinked, incredulous. He smiled and said, “I know it sounds too simple to work, but it does. Just ask, ‘What happens next?’” So I went home and asked myself What happens next? and it totally worked. The simplicity of the question forced me to focus on my immediate goal: getting through the next chapter — and not worrying about what would happen ten chapters from that moment. I still use that technique, and always will.

Pretend that the Internet is destroyed overnight. What do you do when you wake up the next morning?

Look for a new day job. I work for a website translation company. If the Internet’s gone, we’re up the creek.

Any parting thoughts for our readers?

I think we’ve covered it, though I want to stress that — despite my recent podcasting retirement announcement and departure from a to-the-hilt commitment to the Free model — I still believe in Free, and appreciate the creators who embrace it. I do not know how much influence and impact I’ve had on the model and podcasting community during my four years in the space, but I’ve greatly benefited from it in creative, emotional and monetary ways. I have a deep love for the Free and podcast models, and still insist they have personal, professional and creative worth.

Thanks to JC for participating in the interview!  To stay informed of future interviews with other creative folks you really should subscribe to Thoughtwrestling.

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