"Write, write, write, write, write, write, write!"

CC    Can you walk us through your journey as a creative? How did you get started, and what led you to where you are today?

SF    I first learned to read when I was just four years old, and it wasn't long until I also learned that I truly loved stories, with all my heart and soul. Of course, I didn't understand what that meant until I was a bit older, or that I could create them myself, but as soon as I did, the rest was history. As is the case with so many writers before me, I started writing as soon as I could hold a pen and use it properly. Thankfully, I had the great support of my family and teachers, and by the time I was in middle school I had written stories that were lauded by my small community here on Cape Cod. When I reached high school, I won my first national award.

I knew then for sure the answer to the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" But the path before me was not easy.

I used to joke the answer: "I want to be a homeless vagabond."

The truth in that joke, though, was far more real than I ever realized as a young person. The path to a career in the arts, especially writing, is decidedly marked by precarity, a difficulty that can only be overcome with the strictest of perseverance. I daresay I must still employ that perseverance to this very day.

But despite the struggle, there are few things which give me as much joy as answering the question that has replaced the aforementioned — now, as an adult, they often ask: "What do you do?"

The answer: I am a writer.

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When I reached high school, I won my first national award.

CC    What are you working on these days?

SF    These days I am working on many things, but two projects in particular are definitely at the forefront.

First, the publishing process of my recently completed novel, The Art of Vanishing. It is a very exciting time, to be finalizing the steps that will make this work a reality for anyone in the world to enjoy. It is a locally-set mystery novel, here on Cape Cod, about a grieving bookstore owner's investigation into a mysterious, captivating art print and the related disappearances of two women.

The second thing I am currently working on is my next book! As the first one enters the publication phase, I am already preparing the next to be ready within the year. It is a mystery of similar atmosphere, called The Wind & The Waves, about a forgotten abbey-topped island off the coast of Brittany, from which a strange radio signal is being broadcast.

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CC    What does a typical day look like for you?

SF    A typical day for me looks like this:

o Wake Up, Freshen Up, Drink Water, Put On Kettle

o Study Scripture, Say My Prayers, Spend Time With God

o Drink Coffee, Say Good Morning to My Wife, Mother & Grandmother

o Write, Write, Write, Write, Write, Write, Write!

Of course, if I have anything else to take care of that day, correspondence or community engagements or shopping or what have you, I take care of those things, too. I also try to make sure I give myself time to feed and enjoy myself :) but it generally always starts the same with this little routine.

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CC    What tools can’t you live without?

SF    I would reckon there are few tools I can't live without, at least in terms of my artistic practice, but having something to actually write with is key. That said, my most preferred tools include my pens and paper, my smartphone, my laptop, and my printer. Other than that, books to read, motion pictures to watch, any form of art to feed the creative mind is also essential.

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CC    What or who inspires you?

SF    I am inspired by so much, but top of the list would have to include, at least:

o LOVE, My Wife & Family

o Mystery & Mysticism, Scripture

o History, Legend & Myth

o Cape Cod, Local Nature, Route 6A

o Cemeteries, Rituals & Respect

o Weather: Rain, Mist & Fog

o The Wind, The Sea

o Boats, Automobiles, & Other Machines

o Movies & Television Shows

CC    What would you like to learn more about in the future?

SF    I'd most like to learn about organically reaching wider audiences. I'd also like to learn about viable independent publishing options, perhaps starting a small press. As I become more and more established, I feel like it is a no-brainer to streamline my publishing efforts and have more control of the whole process. If I was able to do these things, I could optimize the business aspect of my practice and better use a lot more of the money that my work generates, and thus improve the upliftment of my loved ones and community. I could help to get other artists' work out there, as well.

I want to learn more about getting my work successfully adapted for the screen, too!

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CC    What do you find most challenging as a creative?

SF    The most challenging thing as a working creative, hands down, is getting a foothold in establishing consistent, livable income. It is simply a much harder path to choose as a career, and as I mentioned before, it takes a great deal of perseverance and discipline to pull it off. That said, when you finally do start earning money from your practice, there is nothing like it. But the road there is difficult, for sure. You have to be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices, which most people would find difficult, if you really want to make it work.

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If more creatives put their egos aside and came together to do this, like any other trade or professional service providers, it would stand to reason that these conditions could improve.

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CC    What do you think creatives on Cape Cod could improve on?

SF    I think creatives on Cape Cod should more actively focus on solving the problem outlined in my previous answer. The challenge of making good enough money as a creative isn't an inherent, natural thing, it is a by-product of a lack of respect for the career path. This is in part supported by a generally overly liberal, laissez-faire attitude. More focus and discipline on a community level is warranted. It really is only a problem when viewing the world as something that must be navigated individually. Other traditions are more respected in our culture because they have organized themselves, developing standards of quality and demanding reasonable pay in exchange for the delivery of such standards. If more creatives put their egos aside and came together to do this, like any other trade or professional service providers, it would stand to reason that these conditions could improve. This includes creatives who don't necessarily need to or even intend to generate income from their work, in my opinion. What is good for everyone is good for everyone, after all.

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CC    What do you do when you're not working?

SF    This is a good one, because it is rare that I am not working in one way or another, and something I have realized lately that I should probably focus on is giving myself more space to rest and simply enjoy life. The tricky part is that I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I was always taught when I was young, "Do something you love and you'll never work a day in your life." But that is a platitude — even though I enjoy the work, it is still work. Even doing something extra fun like answering these questions is a form of that. When I do give myself the space to just rest and be, I most enjoy good food and drink, shows and motion pictures, adventures in driving and nature, breathing fresh air and enjoying the art of others. Like most people, I think :)

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