January 2004

Focus On: Michael Sedge

Name: Michael Sedge

Number of years an ASJA member: 16 years and former director-at-large

City of residence/home base: Naples, Italy

Focus of writing: Non-fiction: articles, books, TV documentaries

Education: B.A. History/Government

Credits (magazine/book/film): 20 books, including The Lost Ships of Pisa, which is currently being produced as a TV documentary. Over 3,500 articles for such clients as Newsweek, Robb Report, Scientific American and Time-Life.

Awards: Most recently, November 2003, the Rustichello da Pisa award for international journalism, given by the Region of Pisa to two writers a year, and presented by the president of Italy.

Turning point: In 1980, after working with the U.S. government for eight years, I quit my job, went home and told my wife I wanted to be a writer. I've been self-employed ever since. My wife's only comment was: "As long as you make the same amount of money doing what you want to do as you are now, I have no problem." One year later, I had made exactly $81.50. But I never gave up. Today, we own three cars, an apartment building, and I operate three companies, all stemming from my writing career.

What I love best about what I do: I interviewed Stephen King in the late ‘80s. Today I can appreciate, more than ever, the answer he provided to this same question: "It is simply what I do. It is my life. It is not as if I have a choice." More specifically, in my case, writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, takes one into a world of their own, then bursts it out into the world where it touches thousands. That is the secret and beauty of a writer's life, and one of the aspects I enjoy the most. Certainly it is not for the money! But writing has been good to me, and I must repay the favor by continuing this craft and this business.

What's the worst thing? The frustration of dealing with non-responsive editors. Prior to e-mail and the Internet, there seems to have been greater respect for writers, by editors. Today, in the fast pace of day-to-day activities, more and more editors are simply deleting messages, rather than responding. This is why I deal with a closed circle of editors, rather than expanding into several new areas. The same can be said for publishers. Even those involved in my 20 books! Come to think of it, I have several business clients that also have this problem É it's an epidemic!

Most memorable story? The one I wrote last week. Actually, I think all writers could say the same thing. The story they are working on today is without a doubt the most memorable. The most emotional would no doubt be those stories that came from my six months in Bosnia, or other war coverage.

From a book point of view, my third title, Commercialization of the Oceans (Frankin Watts), was without a doubt the most difficult because some guy I had never heard of had been hired as the "expert" to edit my text. I rewrote that book four times, and was only paid peanuts. Years later, I recognized the name of the expert when he found the Titanic!

How did you break in? I wrote a short story in 1977 and won an award from the USO in Naples, Italy. I was in the military at the time and the prize—a Sony cassette recorder—still sits on my bookcase, along with several more prizes and copies of my books and articles in Arabic, Italian, German, Japanese and other non-English languages.

Dreams: Four years ago I would have said to work on a TV documentary. Today I have done these for Discovery Channel, Italy's RAI, France's Channel 4, et cetera. In fact, I am a partner in VIDA Films-TV, a documentary producer in Barcelona, Spain.

Today's dreams rotate around quality. It is no longer a challenge to write a publishable article or book. I now strive to produce the best possible work, no matter what the medium. The story must be compelling, bringing emotion to the reader.

Funny stories: Where do I beginÉthere are so many. Researching a story on fishing in Europe, I found myself pulling trout out of a mountain stream only to find out—after getting caught—that this was a government reserve.

Another time, based on an article I did, my home was invaded by 21 special agents of the Italian anti-terrorist squad (not so funny at the time).

These are but two examples. Someday I plan to develop a book of these, similar to Frances Mayes' Under The Tuscan Sun. Mine, however, will be titled Fettucini for the Frustrated Soul.

What inspires you? The challenge to beat all odds. When someone said I couldn't sell to Newsweek, I worked until my name appeared in the pages. When someone said it would be a great goal to work for Discovery Channel, I set out to do so. Today I am inspired by the simple things: people, places, aspects of the world that hold wonder but may not "shake" the earth. Children, for instance, have stimulated my interests of late—probably because, at 50, I am the grandfather of two boys. Yesterday I was in Florence and, even though I have seen the Duomo many, many times, I was awed by the beauty. These are the things that, today, inspire me.

Personal: The sale has always been the greatest challenge in my writing life. In fact, four of my books for writers deal with selling—Marketing Strategies For Writers, Successful Syndication, etc. On a personal level, writing began my life and vice versa. Thus, my personal life grew with my professional career. My wife, Gabriella, and two children, Amanda and Daniele, knew that when we ate hamburger, things were going well. When we got down to the steak in the freezer, it meant that we were running low.

Unfortunately, the reality of many would-be writers is that their personal lives do not allow them to practice their craft. They are required to bring in a certain amount of money each month and, therefore, turn to other occupations. This is sad, but true. Fortunately, in my early career, my wife pitched in. Today she's rewarded for this.

While you work, what do you listen to? The cars passing outside my office window, which overlooks Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast.

If you weren't a writer, what would you be? Probably an employee of the US government—diplomat, for instance.

Article/book(s) that changed your life? Stephen King's early works. The works—articles and books—of Lawrence Block. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land (have read it three times).

What are you reading right now? Ray Bradbury's Zen In the Art of Writing; Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides. And you'll really get a kick out of the contrast between the last two: The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind and Incorporating Your Business for Dummies.

Piece of advice you were given you'd like to pass on? I believe that all writers, at one point or another, have to make a decision or sacrifice. Mine came when I quit my job and set out on an adventure to become a writer. Take the leap. Don't look back, and make it happen. The competition is tough, and you must be even tougher.

How you hope to affect others with your work. I try to be very realistic. My goal—whether writing an article, a book, or a TV documentary—is to stimulate the minds of the readers. Make them think, leave them wanting more. The best compliment a writer can get is, "I finished the work, but wanted it to continue."