Exclusive Interview with
Charlie Siegel
When did you start writing?
When I was just a little kid! I used to keep notebooks of stories and sometimes when it was time to go play, I would ask if I could go write instead. I've found a few of these notebooks in recent years and while the grammar is horrible from such a young age haha, the stories are actually quite good! But I began to write seriously with the goal of publication in high school.
What makes writing your passion?
I love to spread inspiration and joy. Stories with meaningful characters and profound character development have had a serious and positive impact on my life. Feeling this, I'm honored to add to the list of great stories out there that can help people while entertaining them at the same time. By connecting with the life of a character and by feeling like you're "going through it" with them as you read the book, you can learn the lessons and feel the feelings as if you were there, without having to go through the same pains or challenges as the characters. I believe that books can make us more compassionate, more well-rounded individuals with a greater love for each other.
How long have you been writing?
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Absolute joy! I published my first book when I was 23 and I dream of one day reaching millions with my writing.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Personally, I don't sit down and create characters - they just kind of come to me. Often in the most unexpected of times or situations. I'll be doing something else and suddenly I'll find myself thinking about what it would be like to go through a particular experience, and I'll have a person in my mind's eye who is going through that. As I start to focus on the idea, more details come to me, and over time, I have a well-rounded character with a backstory, personal ideals, and occasionally with detailed connection to other characters that I must have been subconsciously designing, because I've been surprised when I've noticed the connections later!
Poetry comes easier to me at times, when I feel like I can hear lines of poetry in my thoughts and I'll grab my notes and jot it down. Other times, the idea for a poem will come to me in nature or when I'm driving and I'll wait for it to take form from imagery into a full idea. Then when it feels ready, I'll sit down and the poem will seem to write itself.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Honestly I feel the key is emptiness. Emptiness in your mind and in yourself. Knowing that what you want to write is so much bigger than yourself, so you can't make it happen - you have to let it come to you. Forcing a project is like pushing a river - you just end up blocking it by standing in it and trying to make it do what you want. - You can still write with a deadline or on the spot when need be, but it's important to allow for there to be empty space in yourself where the characters are free to do what they want and you are just the final step of telling their story. It's not your job to make them do something, just to tell others what they already did. That's how I feel, anyway! - I still put my name on the book because in the end, I wrote it, but I believe the feeling of allowing it to happen is key. I don't like to say that I'm a creator of stories or other content - I tell the stories that come to me in my mind and write the poems, like giving eloquent voice to nature or spiritual lessons I've learned. That's part of why I call my photography business Photography by SC, NaturePhotobySC.com - I don't put my name on my photography because I'm capturing nature's beauty, which is already there for us, and sharing it with you - I'm not creating anything myself. This spiritual outlook brings me a sense of peace and I really quite enjoy passing along and sharing the beauty that is around me and that comes to me in the form of writing inspiration.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
I feel like I have to do it. If the drive is in you to write, write. Even if it's a little bit. Even if it's sometimes. Share your story. - One of my bestselling poems is something I wrote in the notes app on my cell phone while standing in line at a coffee shop. When inspiration strikes you, share your ideas. You never know the impact it may have.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Keep going.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
It's actually quite humorous that I did not mean to do that at first, but I did base some characters in my upcoming book on people I have known. They are not the nicest of characters and I have to say I did not have the nicest of experiences with their real life inspirations either, haha, so I believe I was using that emotion to craft a richer character without putting two and two together until I was actually writing something the character did later.
I also often share spiritual lessons I've learned growing up meditating and learning spirituality from my mom, so those are real life lessons, although I express them through fictional events or poetry.
In 2023, I also published my first non-fiction book, "To Become a Living Art" which is the biography of my martial arts teacher, Roy Shingen Goldberg Sensei. I was so touched that he asked me to write it and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share his profound and inspiring life story, plus information on the ancient Japanese martial art we practice, Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu Kiyamakai.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
I often write in the first person, with the idea that as the reader navigates the book, they can more easily lose themselves in it and come to find the lessons and inspiring messages contained within the story. I would say I find different aspects of myself all throughout my characters, especially when writing in the first person. It's hard not to be honest when writing "I did this and that" and I quite enjoy the freedom of expression it gives me. But none of the characters are really me - they may just have certain attributes of my personality. This is probably akin to the excitement and freedom an actor experiences when portraying a character, I suspect. But I do that alone at my desk while crafting a story.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
I do think a book cover is important to catch the attention of a possible audience, but as the old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It's what's on the inside that counts.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love chatting with readers, clients, or fans who reach out to me. I'm always available through my photography website NaturePhotobySC.com or on social media @AuthorCharlieSiegel or @NaturePhotobySC
Message me anytime!
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
It means a lot to me! That someone would have appreciated my work enough to think of me and want to let me know is very touching. I'm always grateful for that. And the little kid in me who was writing stories in a notebook always lights up at the thought of someone wanting my autograph on one of my published books or fine art photos.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Richard Bach is definitely a favorite. I may have gotten my "writing in first person" thing from him. His work is very inspirational to me.
Since I was a kid, I've always loved Harry Potter, too. The widespread reach of JK Rowling's work is an inspiration in itself. I dream of my work reaching so many.
And Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" book series continues to entertain and amaze me, even on my third time around of reading them. His ability to portray an event from various character's perspectives all in chronological order without giving anything away too soon is incredible. I feel like I'm taking writing classes from him when I study his books.
And finally, I'd have to say last but not least, my grandfather, Dr. Bernie Siegel. He has written 19 books and is a NY Times Bestselling Author. His work has helped so many around the world. I'm honored to have shared our co-authored book "When You Realize How Perfect Everything Is" with him - his 18th book and my 2nd.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
I did actually come out with a Revised Edition of "To Become a Living Art." Roy Goldberg Sensei decided he wanted to include several more topics and chapters in the book, going in detail on our Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu martial arts training using his physical therapy background. So I was glad to revise the book and add that section for him! - As far as a fictional book goes, though, I don't believe I would re-write it. I feel like the characters and their stories leave me and enter the page when I finish writing a book and it's best to leave them and what they said just as it was first told, in my opinion.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
What would you say to your readers?
THANK YOU!!!! - And there are lots more books to come! :)
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in Connecticut, USA. I love to travel, both for my nature photography and for my martial arts training. I am currently single and continuing to grow a career out of living my dreams of photography, writing and teaching traditional martial arts.
What is your day job if you have one?
Along with my photography and writing, I practice and teach martial arts, and I help my mom Jane manage her spiritual store and class center, www.WisdomoftheAges.biz
I love it!
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I have a large crystal collection and I love helping my mom Jane choose new crystals and other items for her spiritual store.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have several books in progress including characters who are angels, stories involving dragons and ancient civilizations, stories involving time travel and multiple dimensions, and more! - I am also working on a larger book of inspirational poetry, compiling my work from the last ten years into themed chapters in one book together.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
I was home-schooled through Oak Meadow School, an accredited school program which guides parents and students through the coursework and grades the work. I feel that this allowed for my creative to grow to what it is today. I also found my love for photography and writing in high school and started my photography business when I was only 19. I loved my experience in school through Oak Meadow School and feel that being homeschooled, and doing a lot of my work in the back room of my mom's spiritual store www.WisdomoftheAges.biz while hearing her work with customers and clients, made me who I am today.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
What is your favorite music?
Definitely rock - some classic and some modern rock! But I like lots of other music too, including traditional music like Native American flutes, drums, and chanting or Nordic singing and drumming. My great-grandmother was from Scotland, so I always like to hear the bagpipes and Scottish drums, too.
Share a secret with us 🙂
I'll keep writing as long as I live! :)