Christopher Laird is an author from Detroit, Michigan. He has been writing science fiction since he was 15 years old. He has only now realized his dream of publishing two best selling novels(ORIGINS AND ETERNITY’S PAST). Mr. Laird is also working on a stage play for his upcoming short story THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS:FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN ALIEN,which is the third book of the ORIGINS series.
Christopher Laird is a graduate of Wayne State Univeristy in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Laird is currently studying at Harvard University to deepen his understanding of Psychology. Mr. Laird is also an active member of The Detroit Institute Of Arts and The Detroit Zoo to help them to become world recognized institutions.
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to be a writer for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I love being a writer because it allows me to use my creative freedom. There are no boundaries or limitations that are placed on me. I can weave a great story the way I think audiences will enjoy it and keep them wanting more. Doing a job and having no limitations is very liberating and fun.
2.) If you could compare yourself to someone who is already established in your line of work, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then what separates you from other everyone else who does what you do?
Although I do not like to compare myself to others, instead, I like to use the term inspiration. Eric Bishoff is someone who inspires me. He is a television producer and has owned a myriad of different businesses. He has a tremendous mind and has a healthy outlook on producing creative content. His intellect and his creative process makes sense to me and he has created some great stories.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the work that you do? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming an entrepreneur?
I think fear and procrastination is a road block that many face. Consequently, it stops us from ever achieving our dreams. We have a fear of things that may never happen to us. It is a perceived fear that we created based strictly on conjecture. I just had to make that leap and I am glad I did when I started writing my books.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to create? What is your process?
I try not to force my creativity. I just kind of let it come naturally. Once that begins, I start to write and there is this streaming momentum that I just work off of. From there, I just keep that flow going until I hit an impasse in my story and I have to gain inspiration to get back on track.
5.) Unfortunately many industries are full of talented individuals who more or less become the “starving artist” and don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
You have to rise above the average to get noticed. Because everyone is doing the exact same thing that you are doing to get their name out there. As a result, your content will get lost in the millions…literally millions of books, movies and songs people are making-everyday! Work harder than everybody else, do more than anybody else, and stretch yourself beyond your limits until it hurts, because I believe that is what it is going to take. Think of something to get out there, but do not do what everyone else is doing.
6.) Would you rather work for a big corporation or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? What makes one better than the other? Are you able to make a living with your art? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your business? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in the creative industry?
Working for yourself is defiantly the best way to go. You are free, not confined by deadlines and working hours. You can take a vacation whenever you want and enjoy your life. Currently, I am not at a point where I can live strictly off of my writing career. Balancing your career and writing is an enormous challenge. That notwithstanding, you need to make it work. But working towards having a full-time writing career is something I am currently working towards.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the creative industry and how artists are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s economy if they’re not social media savvy?
Social media has been a tremendous boon for many artists and business owners. It provides you with instant access to millions of people around the world. However, social media can become inundated with so much content that it may be hard to get noticed. I believe it takes some understanding and savvy to circumvent the endless content on social media. But if you do that, you will have great success in the social media platform.
8.) Typically, entrepreneurs who try to create products and/or services for mass consumption for the general public and make more money are seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure that what you offer stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
What I offer is original content. My books are science fiction stories that are new concepts that people have never read before. Some people feel that I might “sell out” if I sign with a major publishing company as I may lose control of my content…and most of my profits. While I want to control my content…and get my money, if the right opportunity arose, I would certainly take it. I just believe do what is right for you and your family and not worry about people and what they think.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
My novel being a major motion motion picture film and writing full-time.
