Robert McCaw - On Being a Writer

The speaker shares their transition from a 40-year law career to writing fiction, inspired by Hawaiian history and culture. They describe creating a detective protagonist with a criminal past, influenced by their legal experience. The speaker's research on the Big Island and personal interests, like astronomy, shape their novels. They discuss character creation techniques and the importance of capturing settings accurately.

What inspired the narrator to start writing fiction?

• A fascination with Hawaiian history

• A desire to leave the legal profession

• A love for detective stories

• A need to travel more

What is unique about the protagonist in the narrator's novels?

• He is a retired lawyer

• He has a criminal past

• He is a famous author

• He is a native Hawaiian

How did the narrator conduct research for their novels?

• By reading books on Hawaiian history

• By attending writing workshops

• By watching documentaries

• By visiting various locations on the Big Island

Which personal interest of the narrator is featured in their first book?

• Photography

• Astronomy

• Surfing

• Hiking

Where do many scenes in the narrator's first book take place?

• Waikiki Beach

• Mona Kea

• Haleakalā

• Diamond Head

How does the narrator create characters for their books?

• By basing them on historical figures

• By drawing them from their imagination

• By combining traits from real people they meet

• By using a character generator tool

What tool does the narrator use to capture details for their books?

• A notebook

• A voice recorder

• A cell phone camera

• A sketchpad