Author Q&A With Robert Wintner
Robert Wintner has authored novels, memoirs, story collections, and reef photo books. He crossed two continents on motorcycles, sailed four of the seven seas, dove tropical reefs around the world, and rose from ashes to success in a place Forbes magazine called the toughest business arena in America. Profiled in a dozen metro dailies, interviewed on a hundred radio shows, he declined The Tonight Show’s request to arrive in mask, fins, and snorkel. He is committed to style, story, entertainment, and value. He’s the Executive Producer of The Dark Hobby, an award-winning feature film that exposes the devastating impact of the aquarium trade.
Robert Wintner is the nom de plume of Snorkel Bob, Hawaii’s reef outfitter, known for quality and hygiene in trying times. He lives on Maui with Anita, Lonnie, the dog, Yoyo, Coco, Scooter, and Foofy, the cats. Also on hand, Cookie dog, Flojo cat, Elizabeth banty in spirit forever. Meet Robert:
Did you always want to be an author? Since age 12, when mean old Miss Albin made the 8th-grade class write a story. They moaned. I dove in.
What is your most recent book, and what inspired you to write it?
Crux Redux is a story collection. Ideas drift in. Some germinate. Uplift happens or not. I hope for entertainment/engagement.
What are you most excited about with this book?
The stories are compelling, line for line, with laughs aloud when least expected.
How did writing a book help your career take off?
It didn’t. The first novel took forever. Fewer skills, none developed, over and over. And over again.
What advice would you give someone wanting to succeed in your professional industry? The operative word is industry, not so much artistry. It’s harder than ever for discriminating readers to find good books—harder for good writers to stand out.
How do you handle setbacks and criticism? Setbacks should be fewer as skills develop. Literary narrative takes a long time, many edits, much review, refinement, and buffing. Less is more. Criticism is a good sign, ideally constructive. Getting a reader or two pissed off is okay, especially if they’re wrong.
Being an author today is like running a business. How do you manage your publicity and social media and maintain engagement with readers? Promo is demanding. I don’t engage with readers.
How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve the goals that you set forth? Readership is a tough but solid measure. When people get it and say smart things, gratification comes.
How do you structure your day and make time for writing? Get up—moan and groan. Make coffee. Ride a bicycle every other day: Begin. Eat about 9. Go to 3:30. Walk the dog. Go again to 5 or 6.
What do you find most fulfilling as a writer? I’m good at it.
What book uplifts you? Narrative skill shows. Very few people these days read (or have even heard of) Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style: clean construct, syntax, and diction show in a line or two. If a good tale takes shape, that’s uplifting.
Learn more about Robert, his books, and thoughts through his website.
