Chesney, David

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable: Many people find it a stretch of imagination to discover a NASA engineer as a serious fiction writer. Can you describe the process that led you into writing?

David Chesney: Indeed, people are often surprised to learn that I am both an engineer and a writer.

Believe it or not, Autumn Pursuit was the first story I wrote (see question 5 for more detail). The story was inspired by an encounter with a girl right after a Differential Equations final exam.

Pleased with my first attempt, I just kept going. Since, I have written quite a few short stories, a novel, and co-written a screenplay.

BWG: Your efforts had led you into a wide range of writing: Short stories, novels, play. Do you have a preference among these formats or you "go with the flow" when a good idea comes along?

DC: In theory, my preference would be to write novels. However, in practice, I prefer short stories or screen plays. I like the sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing something. I can get through a short story in a few hours or a screenplay over a few months.

I like the quick outlet that short stories give me. I can explore a few ideas quickly, and see what stories have potential to turn into more. If I had more time to devote to writing, I definitely would like to write a nice long novel.

BWG: An obvious question considering your background: Do you have a special fondness for science fiction, in both writing and reading?

DC: I do enjoy a sci-fi when the concept feels original. I co-wrote a sci-fi screenplay last summer and my next novel will definitely be sci-fi.

I’m definitely not set on a specific genre right now. Autumn Pursuit was a romantic comedy. I’m open to pursuing any genre, should the right idea come to me.

As far as reading goes, I hop from genre to genre. Ender’s Game (sci-fi), Moneyball (non-fiction, sports), and On The Road (non-fiction/adventure) are the last three books I’ve read.

BWG: With a full time and taxing job at NASA, how do you find time to write? Can you describe your daily or weekly writing procedure?

DC: Going from designing electronics for a humanoid robot to creative writing is a pretty big mental shift. I rarely do both on the same day. I usually leave writing for the weekends.

At times, my work takes up too much of my time. I haven’t written much lately due to a crazy work schedule. When I’m working a more typical 40-hour work week, I’ll find time once or twice a week to write.

When I sit down to write, I generally have no idea what I’m going to write. Often, I skip the outline stage and go straight to the story. This method gets me into the flow of writing, and that’s when I come up with my best ideas. Once I come up with a good idea, I’ll go back and re-write what I just wrote.

If I just sit and brainstorm, I’ll have a bad case of writer’s block.

BWG: Can you give us the background or genesis of how your award winning short story Autumn Pursuit came about?

DC: Autumn Pursuit is the first chapter of an unpublished novel. Most of the novel is completely fiction; however, the short story Autumn Pursuit has some truth to it. I wrote the story about eight years ago after meeting a girl in college.

I saw her walking out of class and knew I had to talk to her.

I didn’t have a plan to turn the story into a novel, but I wanted to capture the racing thoughts that go through a shy guy’s head as he tries to talk to a beautiful girl.

BWG: Are you into heavy re-writing after you have generated a story or to you tend to go with your first version once you have it "on paper?" How heavily did you re-write Autumn Pursuit before submitting it?

DC: Generally, I get something on paper, and move on to the next story or next chapter. I like to get my ideas on paper before I get bored of a story. After writing a few different stories, I’ll go back and revise my most promising piece.

Autumn pursuit is by far my most heavily revised and edited story. Since the story was the opening of my first novel, I needed to get the story just right.

Considering that my first literary award is from my most re-written story, perhaps I should revise my work more often.

BWG: Who (teacher, mentor, writer) has been the strongest influence on your writing and in your belief that you could be a successful writer?

DC: Jennie Bauman, a friend from college, really encouraged my writing early on. She offered a lot of constructive feedback on my first novel. On top of voluntarily editing the first half of the novel, she helped me realize that writing is something I should pursue.

Once I knew that someone liked my work, I became more comfortable sharing my work with others.

Also, my mom was a reporter for the local newspaper, so she was certainly encouraged me to keep writing.

BWG: Do you actively pursue courses, workshops, seminars or writing conferences to improve your writing skills or to gain involvement with the writing community?

DC: I’ve mostly been a loner in the writing world. I’ve attended a local writer’s group meeting (Bay Area Writer’s League) sporadically. Generally, I’ve relied on feedback from friends, family, and Internet strangers to improve my skills.

There was a pretty cool website a few years ago where writers would provide feedback to each other’s work. Each person had to provide other’s with feedback before they could see feedback of their own work. It was a nice website and a good concept, but I’m pretty sure the website does not exist anymore.

BWG: Are you currently working with an agent?

DC: I do not have an agent. I wanted to build my body of work a bit more before I heavily pursued an agent. I’m getting to the point where I am ready to start looking.

BWG: Are you actively involved in setting up a "platform." i.e., web site, blog, Facebook page, etc. as so many in the publishing now say is essential for a current writing career?

DC: I have not yet pursued writing as a full time career. I do not have a blog or any public platform for my writing.

BWG: Where would you like to see your writing career in five years time from now?

DC: I would like to write at least one more screenplay with my brother in the near future. He’s a talented writer, and I’m confident we can come up with a really good script together.

As a more personal goal, I have a concept for a science fiction novel that I am in love with. I hope to finish and publish that within 5 years.

I’d have a very hard time leaving the engineering world to pursue writing full time. Right now, I’m working with a NASA robotics group on a humanoid robot. It really doesn’t get cooler than that in the engineering world.

BWG: Have you had any reaction from your colleagues at NASA about your writing? Are they supportive or mystified about this side of David Chesney?

DC: A handful of colleagues know about or have read some of my writing. Most people I work with probably don’t know I am also a writer. I don’t purposefully keep the engineering and writing parts of my lives separate, but I don’t bring it up often to co-workers.

We’ll see how the react when I tell them to go buy the BWG Anthology next month.

Interview by Bethlehem Writers Roundtable editor Jerome W. McFadden

The Bethlehem Writer’s Roundtable 2013 Short Story Award was his first writing award. His winning story, Autumn Pursuit, can be found in Once Around the Sun: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Tales for All Seasons from the Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC, available in November, 2013. It is his first publication.