Past Interview: Michael Wolfe, Science Fiction Writer

M.T.: When did you first become interested in writing sci-fi? Also, how many stories had you written before you wrote your book?

M.W.: I was about 10 years old when I became interested in Science Fiction. I wrote a short story called, "The Witches' Brew." Now that I have completed my second novel, I'm thinking about going back and expanding the short stories into a novel.

M.T.: As a black male, did any teachers ever encourage you?

M.W.: No. My seventh grade teacher, Ms. Wright, told me that I was a no-good writer. She also said I had nothing original to say and was a smart-ass black child. After that, I stopped writing and entering contests. Prior to that, I had won certificates and short stories. I didn't write again until I was in my senior year in high school At this time, along with 6 other students, I authored a 2 hour play.

M.T.: How did you find out about Dr. Milligan?

M.W.: I found out about Black Writers on Tour at the Black Business Expo.

M.T.: How long did it take to write A Key Lost in Time?

M.W.: It took me about one year. I just completed my second novel, too.

M.T.: What is your writing schedule like?

M.W.: I write whenever the Muse strikes me. I can wake up at 3 in the morning and start writing. Sometimes I don't stop until I fall asleep at my computer.

M.T.: Do you write by longhand or on computer?

M.W.: I do both. I carry a tape recorder in my car. I also keep a notebook.

M.T.: Did you get any training in writing, Michael?

M.W.: I took creative writing courses while I was in college. I also took acting and drama classes which taught me how to develop a story.

M.T.: How many pages do you write a day?

M.W.: I don't have a page limit to do. It can take an hour to do one page.

M.T.: Your books seem to be steeped in a lot of folklore and mythology surrounding slavery. Where do you get your information from?

M.W.: I love research. I look in the library and on the Internet. I also travel a lot. I tend to listen to stories that older people tell me. I always listened to older people. Even when I was 10, I hung around with older people.

M.T.: Who are your favorite writers?

M.W.: Paul Laurence Dunbar, Frederick Douglas, and Dean Koontz. The only modern black heroes I had growing up were Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. I love Laurence Dunbar and Frederick Douglas because I turned to old slaves who learned how to read and write to see what they had to say about those time periods.

M.T. Thank you, Michael, for this interesting interview.

For further information, please visit his site at Micheal E. Wolfe