Meet Carley Eason Evans, Author of Metal Man Walking
What inspired you to become an author?
Living in Madison, Wisconsin I remember exploring the library shelves at school in 5th grade. I discovered Louise Fitzhugh's newly published book HARRIET THE SPY. Fitzhugh's Harriet is a young girl who spies on her neighbors. For example she keeps a journal while sitting in a dumbwaiter watching an elderly lady go about her business. I was so intrigued that I began to do the same thing, watching my neighbors from outside their homes. From this beginning, I started to write short stories. By the time I reached high school, I was writing poetry. My senior year in college, I wrote my first long story, essentially a novella called UNTITLED:NO. 1. I've been writing ever since.
How did you come up with the idea for Metal Man Walking?
I was inspired to write METAL MAN WALKING when I drove by a man who was pushing a shopping cart along a stretch of road in North Charleston, South Carolina. In that cart was a large piece of metal plating. I knew this homeless man was pushing this cart at least half a mile to a scrap metal recycling shop to sell the metal plating. I was incredibly impressed with this man's determination. I started the novel that night, and created a story around this simple event and this extraordinary person.
What do you think readers will remember most about your books?
Hopefully, readers will remember crisp, succinct, descriptive and accurate language that creates images and emotions. If I've done my job well, readers of my books will feel connected to my characters, and recognize something of themselves in them.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Don't try. Just do it. Several fine self-publishing companies exist.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes. I'm working on a companion novel to Metal Man Walking. My working title is Annie's Dream. I hope to have it available in Spring, 2013.
You can find out more about Carley Evans and her books by visiting http://metalmanwalking.wordpress.com.
Living in Madison, Wisconsin I remember exploring the library shelves at school in 5th grade. I discovered Louise Fitzhugh's newly published book HARRIET THE SPY. Fitzhugh's Harriet is a young girl who spies on her neighbors. For example she keeps a journal while sitting in a dumbwaiter watching an elderly lady go about her business. I was so intrigued that I began to do the same thing, watching my neighbors from outside their homes. From this beginning, I started to write short stories. By the time I reached high school, I was writing poetry. My senior year in college, I wrote my first long story, essentially a novella called UNTITLED:NO. 1. I've been writing ever since.
How did you come up with the idea for Metal Man Walking?
I was inspired to write METAL MAN WALKING when I drove by a man who was pushing a shopping cart along a stretch of road in North Charleston, South Carolina. In that cart was a large piece of metal plating. I knew this homeless man was pushing this cart at least half a mile to a scrap metal recycling shop to sell the metal plating. I was incredibly impressed with this man's determination. I started the novel that night, and created a story around this simple event and this extraordinary person.
What do you think readers will remember most about your books?
Hopefully, readers will remember crisp, succinct, descriptive and accurate language that creates images and emotions. If I've done my job well, readers of my books will feel connected to my characters, and recognize something of themselves in them.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Don't try. Just do it. Several fine self-publishing companies exist.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes. I'm working on a companion novel to Metal Man Walking. My working title is Annie's Dream. I hope to have it available in Spring, 2013.
You can find out more about Carley Evans and her books by visiting http://metalmanwalking.wordpress.com.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012