Caden Tarbox Second Interview
We did a second interview with Caden Tarbox after our Indie Author Spotlight!
What does your writing ritual look like?
I have honestly just realized that my writing ritual is actually a consistent ritual. It’ll be past 12 am and I will have Markiplier playing in the background on my TV, then I’ll be wearing headphones on top of that (over one ear only). The song will change each time I write, but I will listen to one song on repeat the entire time. For my writing tools, it is my computer, a decomposition spiral notebook (must be a decomposition spiral specifically) and pens (mainly black but also basic colors to distinguish things). One thing that always occurs when I write, I will also world build and rework things even if I am mid-scene, and then I may crack out a good few pages after I organize my thoughts. Also, bad posture, that has to be the key to my writing, I swear.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received as an Indie Author?
“Write every single day.” This might work for others, but it is not for me. Writing is a fun passion, but when I tried to write every day, I found myself hating the act and what I would write. Sometimes you need to take a break, like a really long break just to figure things out and do other things that aren’t related to your writing at all. It doesn’t take writing every day to get your book done and published, and please pleeeease, don’t lose your love for writing by forcing yourself to do it every day.
What’s your go-to book, movie, or musical artist when you need some inspiration (or just a break from the keyboard)? Why?
Movies: The Wizard of Oz and Oz the Great and Powerful.
Books: The 14 original Oz books by Frank L. Baum and the Dorothy Must Die Series by Danielle Paige.
There may or may not be a pattern. I love The Wizard of Oz and just have to ignore all the bad things that went into making that movie because I just love it so much. Somehow ending up in a fantastical world of colors, magic and mystical talking creatures and more, I don’t know why, I just love it. And yes, I like the 2013 spin-off prequel, because quite frankly anything Oz related is my love. I go to these outlets for inspiration, for pure enjoyment, for the quiet it brings to my mind- when I am sad, happy, any literal emotion possible. I have 8 different versions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on my shelf which is next to the Dorothy Must Die series and specials.
If you could snap your fingers and be “known” for one piece of your writing, what would it be? Is it something already published? Or is it something in your heart you’ve not yet written?
I honestly don’t know what I wish I could be known for. I would love to bring the love for dystopian back like it was in the 2010’s, but I also really want to have built the world that people would love to escape to. Many people want to go down the yellow brick road, travel through the wardrobe, and are waiting for something magical to happen. I want to give people a place of safety that they would love to be a part of, because that is what my books do for me. That is what other books have done for me.
