The CHOW interview: Indie Author Robert Fike
Clueless Hack On Writing (me) talks to a Creative Hero On Writing about process, inspiration and what former San Antonio Spur he wished would read his stuff.
The CHOW interview is a look into the minds of independent writers, whose books haven’t been optioned for Netflix, but are finding ways to be shared with the world. These writers are booktrepreneurs who are hustling to get one small bit of attention for their books and trying to make a business out of it. If you like the specific genre, I encourage you to find it and buy. I’ll tell you, they’ll know and celebrate your purchase.
Robert Fike
Robert Fike is an indie author of The Department for Mutated Persons series (available on Bookshop, the independent bookstore alternative to the mega online retailer), designer, and marketing professional living in San Antonio, Texas. He is Director of Marketing Communications at SAMMinistries and co-owns Andak Media, a table-top game and media publishing company. (Twitter: @robfike. Substack:
)What inspired you to write these stories?
I started writing The Department back in early 2016. It started off with just 1 chapter, the first one you can read in the book. It was after that I was able to bounce ideas off of some friends — shout out to Sherri and Jon — and it really gave me the plot for the first two books. I’m still working on the third.
I think the inspiration was looking at how we’ve (re: The United States) have treated marginalized groups in the past, and how would we treat people who were different from us in really fundamental ways, like people with mutations.
When did you get the idea for your first book?
I’m not completely sure where that first chapter came from. I think at the time, I felt like I didn’t have a lot of control over my life, and so – in a lot of ways – I felt like the main character Alan – in that I was being funneled into this system that I couldn’t really push back against. I was also expecting my first daughter, and I was thinking about what the future looked like. I could see some of the political climate changing around that time, and I could see how it was tearing people apart – creating sides – and so I had written that into my first draft from the start.
How long did it take you to write the first draft?
I think it took me a few months to write that first draft, and I wrote most of the book on my paternity leave from work. I don’t know how I would have done it otherwise, and I don’t know how authors are so prolific when they have other responsibilities.
What was your process?
My initial process was creating a simple outline, who does what. Then the chapters would fill out from there, and sometimes the outline would change as I pushed characters with situations to see what I think they would do. I don’t think some of the twists in either book, except for maybe one major one in the second book, were in the outline originally but grew up out of the writing taking shape.
What was the hardest part to write — beginning, middle or end?
The hardest part to write for me is usually the middle. That’s where things can be a mess. I usually know where characters want to get to, and I usually know where they start. BUT that middle. Jeez, that middle can be a slog. Sometimes there are set pieces. I love to write dialogue and action, so those usually come first and then I fill in scene setting after.
What’s your WLW *Work/LIfe/Writing* balance like? How do you manage it?
It’s pretty horrendous actually (laughs). I have three young kids, a full time job, some freelance design work and a company that I’m building with some friends, so it can be quite a lot to handle. The writing has taken a backseat to that for the time being, but I have my hand in a sci-fi anthology that should be coming out in the fall as well as finishing my third book in the Department series, but we’ll say that release date is TBD (laughs). I think it takes a lot to balance life’s obligations. Luckily for me, I don’t have to count on the income from writing to survive, and I don’t envy folks that have taken the plunge to make it their full-on career. Kudos and best of luck!
Why did you decide to publish independently?
I never tried traditional publishing. Everything on Twitter made me balk at the proposition. The agents. The publishing houses. The threat of getting scammed. I didn’t want any part in that. I just wanted to tell a story. It seemed like that would have become a full-time job just to get representation, and I wanted to just tell stories. So I hired an editor on my own, shout out to Olivia Castetter over at Josha Publishing for bearing with me, and I designed my own covers since that was my main work background. It all fell into place after that.
What is most important to get right when publishing independently?
I think getting things professionally done is key. You have to hire an editor. You have to hire someone to do your cover, unless you have that skill set. Those are huge parts of the business, and they are the roadblocks that your readers will notice right away if done incorrectly. The marketing is probably the most laborious part of the whole thing, and it’s the most elusive skill to gain. I don’t think I’ve figured it out yet, to be honest, and so I would say seek out communities that are finding their way through it.
Final Question - As a San Antonio Spurs fan, which current or former Spur do you think would like your books the most?
Haha that’s a great question, Vince! I think Patty Mills would really like my stuff because he has a very social action-oriented mindset that I really love. I’m kinda hoping he’ll sign with us in the offseason again, but we’ll see!
Side of Mustard
So what did you think of the initial CHOW interview? I think it’s inspiring to hear from regular folks with an idea, write it out, and put their own skin in the game to make it happen.
Podcasts of Interest
Like many folks, I enjoy my fair share of podcasts. Most of the time, I listen to them at the gym. If I zone out on an exercise, I’m really not missing anything (like in an audio book) and most are between 45 minutes to two hours, about the length of a good workout. I admit I’m not listening to True Crime or investigative pieces. I like interviews, motivations, TV Series Recaps, Movie breakdowns, etc.
Some highlights:
Smartless: This is just a fun podcast. Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes are funny, rib each other like three dudes would and it makes up for their horrible interviewing styles. Listening to them work themselves into a statement/praise/question can be painful, but the conversations seem authentic. As my wife noted, lots of white guys on the podcast.
Men In Blazers: Stateside and want to hear the joy of British ex-pats discuss the week in Premiere League Football or the US National Team? Hosts Michael Davies and Roger Bennett break down each match and Rog, with his American/pop culture references, make it a must listen each week.
The Office Ladies: It’s Pam and Angela breaking down each episode of the Office. I didn’t know Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey were best friends, but since 2019, they’ve broken down each episode of The Office. We’re now in Season 8 (the one with Robert California), so it’s a little laborious, but their fast facts, tangents and deep dives and more make this highly entertaining.
Rich Roll: This podcast is extremely enlightening. Rich is a former endurance athlete with an addiction and each week he talks to guests about ways to maximize potential. But he doesn’t do it in the aggro-alpha male way that other podcasts do. He goes deep into process, working through barriers and positive ways to give grace.
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend: My Go-to for laughs. I am always amazed by the quick wit and characters Conan brings to the table. No wonder he was a writer on Saturday Night Live and the Simpsons before getting his late night gig. Now, with this podcast, he interviews guests long form (not all celebrities) and cracks hilarity along the way.
Fly on the Wall: SNL alum Dana Carvey and David Spade host this podcast where they mostly interview cast members and hosts of Saturday Night Live. You can expect Dana Carvey impressions, David Spade snarkiness and great memories of the show. They had a two-parter on Chris Farley that was amazing.
I’ve got more that I’ll list at a later date. Happy listening…
Next week: Extra Mustard
Stay tuned. You never know what might appear.
Good list of podcasts ... maybe I'll give one of them a shot.