Interview with Author Ben Lockwood

Ben Lockwood's introspective piece "Dead Thought Space" is short and complex, making the reader stop and consider some of the very basics of story construction. We liked its thought-provoking narrative and the questions we had after reading it. Read on to learn a little more about the author below.

What makes you keep writing, even when it's hard?

Questions like this. This keeps me going. 

What other creative activities do you like to do?

Photography. It’s the same thing as writing. 

Advice on creating that you’ve learned by trial and error?

I don’t think I’ve learned anything. 

What is one unbelievable thing that happened to you that you can't prove to anyone else?

Existence. 

Describe your workspace.

A laptop.

What’s the weirdest sound you can make?

Speech. 

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done in the name of story research?

Lived. 

What's your favorite obscure novel or short story (a work you never hear anyone else talking about)?

The Double by Jose Saramago.

In your opinion, who is an underrated author that more people should read?

adrienne maree brown.

What is your least favorite word? 

Border.

What's your editing process? Do you have a first or beta reader, or a workshop group?

Editing is for cowards. 

Do you have a favorite book on writing or creating that's been a helpful resource?

Not really.

Where do you go when you need to work out a writing block? 

Away from screens. 

What are your long-term writing goals? 

To just keep doing it. 

What is your favorite banned book?

Slaughterhouse-Five.

Pigs or chickens?

Beans.

Unpopular opinion, go: 

There’s a genocide going on in Gaza, the scale and atrocity of which should horrify us. 

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever found lying on the street?

A polaroid picture of myself standing in the street. Who took it? Was it you guys? Are you following me?

Do you believe in free will? Why or why not?

Yes. Determinism is a reactionary, capitalist, racist, and authoritarian concept. 

Ben Lockwood is a writer and photographer in central Pennsylvania. He's also an ecologist and geographer at Penn State University. Ben’s work has been featured in Clarkesworld Magazine, Seize the Press, Vast Chasm Magazine, ergot., Maudlin House, and others. You can find more of Ben’s writing at brlockwood.com.