A word on writing
A crowd of more than 50 people gathered at the Pine Island Library Friday afternoon to listen to author Tim Dorsey speak.
Individuals were entertained with stories about how his characters came to fruition, along with many book-signing event stories that erupted the audience into laughter.
The last time the author paid a visit to the Pine Island Library was five years ago.
The Tampa-based author, who owns property on the island, began his hour-long talk by telling the crowd that he never thought he would be published.
His writing career began as a newspaper journalist where he spent 16 years, 12 of which were at the Tampa Tribune. At the age of 15, Dorsey said he started discovering writers, who he slowly began to idolize.
“I wanted to do what they did,” Dorsey said, which eventually took off into 15 published comic novels.
He said the reason he got into the newspaper business was so he could eventually publish his first book.
The freedom of writing novels was appealing to the author because newspaper writing is based on verified facts. With books, Dorsey had the freedom of not verifying everything in his book if he so desires.
“It’s a blast,” he said.
In 1999, his first book, “Florida Roadkill,” came out after it was in the works for seven years. He said when the writing finally clicked it only took him three months to complete the book.
The comic style of writing, Dorsey said come naturally for him.
“I wrote what was fun for me and people liked it,” he said, adding that he has to work hard on the mystery and murders that take place in his novels.
One of the best parts of writing he said occurs when he finishes reading the last draft.
“I know I like it and I’m satisfied,” Dorsey said of why he enjoys the process.
The timeline of writing to publishing a book, he said typically takes two years. Dorsey said he writes for an average of two and a half to three months before he puts it aside and starts traveling.
The inspiration for his novel, he said comes from his travels. Notes are constantly jotted down when he is out and about traveling or doing a book tour.
“I love to travel around, poke around and look for the out of the blue places,” he told the crowd. “Florida is a very visual place, that’s what inspires me.”
The author visits about 100 events a year in and out of the state of Florida. He said he recently went on his first international tour earlier in the year, which he enjoyed.
At the end of the hour he thanked the crowd for coming.
“It means so much that you took time out of your life to come,” Dorsey said.
His next book will be released on Jan. 22, 2013.
For more information about the author and his books visit www.timdorsey.com.