An Interview with Caleb Sims
I am an author from South Carolina. I have been writing as a coping method since the days of a child. I love what I do, and I hope that if I put my 10,000 hours into writing, I will accomplish many things. I currently have a cat named Marcus that lives with me. I have two books published and a paper through Midlands Tech. I love writing and would not have made it this far without it. Thank you for reading.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
Inspiration comes in phases. Some days it is a rush to jot down pages with little letters. Other days, I get only two sentences done. Who I dedicate my book to usually is where I find my creativity. This one is for my brothers and sisters, who I love so dearly. I wanted to write something that could give them scholarships in the future. So here we are …
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title A Running Dog came about as my first book’s title is A Screaming Cicada. I wanted to do another short story collection in the same town as the first book. Taking it back to the roots, I guess. There was a story I wrote in this new book that once I saw it, I realized I had to make the title after the short story. Surprisingly, it is only a page long. At least, a page of my writing.
Describe your dream book cover.
Okay, so there is this artist named Robert Nava. I fell in love with his work years ago. Yet he is featured in galleries and went to an ivy league school. If I could get him to draw a cover, I would do a backflip.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
I would say What U Kno or Can’t No Mo by Cuzzin Ruccus. I really like his story telling and how he lived his lyrics. The man is goated. Another one would be Children Of The North by comehelpglo. A lot of my book features heavy drug use. It is a reflection of my life in my early twenties and what I saw while homeless. I would say those two artists for sure.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I love Robert Jordan, Kurt Vonnegut, and recently Deston J. Munden. I have been reading Recipes For An Unexpected Afterlife. The book is really warm right now. Dean Koontz is also goated, in my opinion.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I did a lot of assembly line work. Just building cars and car parts. I cannot do it anymore because I broke my back while homeless. I got laid off my job and was sleeping in a ditch. I woke up on Thanksgiving and could not feel my feet. I decided I was done with the life and walked to a bridge. Now, I did jump off, but I survived since it was only fifty feet. Broke my back and my foot. I have plenty of crazy stories.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
My mother, for sure. I would be nothing without her, first of all. Second, she made me do vocabulary quizzes during the summer to bolster my repertoire of words and writing. I was in college when I got a paper published and she told me, “Now you got to write a book.” I told her, “Okay,” then proceeded to drop out of college and write A Screaming Cicada. Funnily enough, she told me once I dropped out that that was not what she wanted me to do. Every year for the last two going on three I publish a book on my mom’s birthday. So, when I drop on October 7, it was inspired by her. I still write for myself, and it is what I want to do. However, I got to respect where it all started. My mother’s guiding hand.
Where is your favorite place to write?
In my house. I really enjoy the comfort of sitting on my bed and writing. I like everything being so close to me. My pens, my paper, my computer. I have a journal that is falling apart that I hope to keep writing in.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Do it! Do not be afraid. You do not have to seek approval from anybody. Keep seeking respect through your art. Do not be discouraged. Your art is worthy.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
That life is a fragile, fickle beast. We always say we would die for somebody. Would it not be better to live for them instead?
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