5 Questions with Will Weaver

I read Red Earth, White Earth by Will Weaver back when I was a teenager. It was one of those novels that really stuck with me. It was made into a CBS movie back in 1989. One of his short stories was made into the excellent movie Sweet Land, starring Ned Beatty, in 2006. He's one of Minnesota's finest writers, and it's an honor to have Will answer my five questions.

1 – What’s your latest book about?

My latest novel is The Survivors, about a family surviving a winter after a world-wide environmental collapse.

2 – Who’s your favorite author and/or what’s your favorite book?

Of authors for young adults, I like Jack Gantos, Chris Crutcher, Nikki Grimes (poet).  My favorite short novel is by Gary Paulsen, called Soldier’s Heart.  It’s about a young American Civil War soldier.

3 – What’s your favorite aspect of writing?

Solving literary problems of plot and structure—the “aha” moment of seeing how a story should proceed.

4 – Any good anecdotes about being a writer?

A New York editor once told me that she will read anyone’s writing until they give her an excuse to stop. (Deep stuff there, if you think about it.)

5 – What was the most helpful writing advice you've ever received?

“It doesn't have to perfect, but it does have to be done.”

Visit Will Weaver's Amazon Page