Writer Interview: July Giveaway Winner, Cameron Armstrong

Posted by bridgid on | August 4, 2010 | 1 Comment |

Meet the winner of our July giveaway contest, Cameron Armstrong. Cameron is a student at the University of Tennessee, studying English and Education. Click here to read his contest entry, a paragraph on writing voice.

BG: What led you to pursue a degree in English?
CA: Since high school I told myself I want to be a writer and English classes have taught me a well-balanced knowledge on writing. I hate any major that deals with math, science, or business so I’m pretty much stuck with English, by the way.

BG: What would you like to do when you graduate?
CA: My plans are to teach high school English and write until I’m eligible to write full time.

BG: Is there anything you have learned through your coursework that you would like to share?
CA: Studying English in college gives me the opportunity to meet other great writers and professors who can help in the novel business. Most of my knowledge in writing fiction I taught myself by reading magazines, writing articles, and chatting with other writers. I’m not majoring in English to technically become a “better writer,” it’s more so because no other major interest me or comes as close to my interest.

BG: Would you like to tell us about your blog, The Wallet?
CA: The Wallet is a blog that gives a variety of knowledge on a Christian basis; nonreligious people are welcome too. I write about society, relationships, fashion, college/career, book reviews, and poems. Readers should check out The Wallet if they are interested in GQ magazine and Askmen.com because I write about the same topics they do except I write them from a religious stand point. My ideal audience would be readers who enjoy positive post about life in general, book reviews, short stories, and poems.

BG: What fiction projects are you working on at the moment?
CA: I’m working on a sci-fi/fantasy novel called The Hollisters. The Hollisters are an organization of genies who are trying to convince people to make selfish and greedy wishes to send their souls to hell. Only The Abercrombies (organization of positive genies who convince people to make unselfish wishes) can save the human race, and maybe a guy name Chris.

BG: What inspires you to write?
CA: I was a shy guy in high school and I was afraid to speak out loud because I never thought my opinions would seem good enough. So I thought I can write about it without approaching the crowd face to face. Albeit, I broke out of my shell after high school, I soon found out even being a writer takes a lot of social skills. To inspire other writers I recommend to never give up, as long you continue writing you still have a chance of winning. Sometime I take a day or two off from writing to rejuvenate my brain and when I write again I have better ideas for the story than I did before.

BG: Do you consider writing voice an important aspect of writing?
CA: Writing voice is important because the story can have two distinct approaches to the reader. Write in more active voice than passive so the reader can feel the story happening as they read. Also pay attention to first person or third person, whether the story would best be told by a character or a narrator, it can make a difference on the success of your novel.

BG: How do you connect with other writers?
CA: I talk with writers on Twitter and comment other writer blogs. Also, posting blogs attracts writers and readers attention. If I’m lucky I might meet a cute writer next time I visit the book store.

BG: Thanks for sharing your thoughts and advice on writing, Cameron. Good luck with all of your writing endeavors!

Connect with Cameron on his blog or through Twitter.

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