Interview With The StoryMaster

From the December 11th, 2002 'For Authors' newsletter. Reprinted here with permission from The StoryMaster

December 11th is a day of celebration.

The makers of calendars don't have it highlighted for your easy reference. You won't turn on the news tonight and see a special report on the festivities of this day. However, turn on your computer, set your address bar to http://www.Writing.Com and you will find much rejoicing and merry-making going on because today is The StoryMaster 's birthday!

He is the mastermind behind Writing.Com, and with the help of his life and business partner, The StoryMistress , he has created a veritable world of opportunities for writers and readers alike. But who is the StoryMaster? Why does he dedicate himself to Writing.Com? How did he turn a grain of an idea into this remarkable site? Find out in this special edition as we glimpse into his private life through,

An Interview With The StoryMaster.

First I'd like to wish you a very Happy Birthday! :)

Thank you for agreeing to this interview, SM. We already know you as the technical wizard behind this site, and we know you dedicate a lot of your time to making Writing.Com better on a constant basis. Now we'd like to learn a little more about you.

There's no doubt in anyone's mind that this site is a huge success. Did you always know you'd be successful?


Who said I was successful? *chuckle* More seriously, I've had a lot of successes, but I'm more striving towards success. To me, "successful" is an end point... and I'm still on my journey to that point.

Well on your way, it appears. Truly though, is this what you envisioned for yourself as a child? Didn't you have dreams of being an astronaut or a fire chief? What did you want to be when you grew up?

You mean when I do grow up?
         I wanna be The StoryMaster.

Ah, the dreams of childhood! While you were busily plotting your scheme to run the most popular site on the internet, who would you say were your greatest influences?

My parents. They're extremely caring, supportive people, who are always willing to lend a hand. They instilled in me strong work ethics, morals, honesty and business sense. I couldn't possibly say enough good things about them. I owe a lot to the way I was raised.

That's truly a wonderful sentiment to hear. Clearly you were raised in a very loving environment, which I'm sure must have had a positive affect on your relationships outside of your immediate family. You knew I'd ask about your relationship with the StoryMistress. We see by the way the two of you interact on the site, and the positive regard you have for each other that you have something wonderful together. How did it all begin?

We met about 7 years ago at college. She moved in with her best friend who was one of my close friends at college. After a lot of hard work on my part and a few years later, we started dating. Been together ever since.

Hmmm. I think for the more romantic version, the newsletter staff may have to schedule an interview with the StoryMistress. More than your steady girlfriend, SMs is an integral part of the site as well. How do you and the StoryMistress manage to work and live together successfully?

That's easy, actually. We get along great and I couldn't imagine it any other way. We make each other laugh a lot. We know each other's strong and weak points, which creates a very versatile check and balance. We're both creative, but in complete opposite, but perfect, ways. She's artsy-creative; I'm techy-creative. We're a good team both on and off site.

Now, there's a little glimpse of romance; "can't imagine it any other way." Neither can we. It's apparent that patience and understanding are key components of your relationship. They would have to be if the rumors are true that you practically live on the site. How much time do you spend working on this cyber-community?

I spend anywhere from 60 to 80 hours a week working on the site, some weeks a little more. Even with that amount of time, it's difficult to get everything done. My idea list grows much faster than my fingers can create.

That's a lot of overtime. Your to-do list must look very different now than it did in the beginning. That list has been growing for quite some time already. When did you start this site?

I put a small interactive-only site online in February 2000. We consider Writing.Com's official birth date to be September 1st, 2000. That's when we released the first version of the portfolio-driven site... more or less as it is today.

It is interesting that you created a site for authors. You've said you don't consider yourself a writer per se, so why did you start a site for writers?

I consider myself a creative person and, with that, I think I have the ability to help other creative people. It's difficult, online, to do much to assist artists like painters and other visual arts. Words, on the other hand, are very programming friendly and my medium of choice.

How did you come up with the idea and how has this site changed since the beginning?

When we first acquired the Writing.Com domain name, it seemed pretty natural to set up a site with a simple interactive story system. It was similar to the interactives we have presently, but it was very basic. Writers didn't have accounts or the ability to edit their story chapters. It was very messy and unorganized.

Soon, it became clear that more features and tools were needed. The authors needed to "own" the stories that they were creating and make corrections where needed. I created member accounts and a portfolio to hold their interactive stories. Quickly after, I added Static Items so members could upload their short stories, poems, articles, etc.

There were still, however, very few ways to communicate. Members began to use Interactive Stories as makeshift message forums and it became clear to me that I needed to release those, too. Message forums were then introduced, giving our writers a way to talk with one another in public.

From that point on, the features and utilities quickly snowballed from one to another. One by one, we added the different item types and member features like IM, Spell Check, Word Count, costumicons and tons more. Writing.Com has become much more than just "stories".

I remember adding a chapter to an extremely long interactive used in the very way you described. I'd forgotten about that. This place has something for everyone, but what, for you, is the most satisfying aspect of running this site?

I find it extremely satisfying to know the members use the tools that I've created. Releasing features to such creative people and then watching what they do with them is incredible and really exciting for me. I often find myself very impressed with an original creation that uses an item type in a way that I had never even imagined!

How do you feel when you hear about someone having their work published, stating they found their courage on Writing.Com?

That's really the ultimate reward for me. And not just when I hear about courage or being published. To hear that a member is writing better... or reading more... or getting better grades are all things that make the time we spend well worth it.

I know you get a lot of glowing comments, but not everyone who comes to the site has an optimistic nature--how much of the email you handle in a day is negative and how do you deal with it?

The amount of negativity I deal with on a daily basis is surprisingly lower than it used to be. The worst by far was when we limited our free accounts. It was difficult to deal with some of the cursing and name-calling, people telling me I was "stifling their creativity and their ability to write", that I should "get a real job" so that they could continue to get everything for free.

I just simply don't let them get to me.

By this point, the Writing.Com testimonials page has well over 500, as you would say, "glowing comments". When I get one that hurts, I go and read a few pages of good ones and I remember what it's all about.

I'm glad to hear that. Running a site like this requires patience, investment (of both time and money), interest, and organization! How do you keep everything organized? I mean the way you're always adding new things, fixing up this, or that, dealing with the emails, etc--yet still finding time to post in some of the forums and make comments. It amazes me.

Working 60 to 80 hours a week on the site is a good start. It also helps to have a reliable and talented group of Senior Moderators who are able to handle many issues for myself and SMs. Further, our group of over 160 Moderators does a great job at welcoming new members, answering questions and helping to make sure that the site's policies are understood and followed. We're very thankful for all of them; they definitely help make this community what it is.

This is, by far, one of the most creative sites on the internet%u2014where do you get your ideas?

Everywhere. Thinking outside of the box isn't even thinking outside of the box anymore. Best I can do to explain that is to tell you where one of the ideas came from.

I needed something "new" for the site, something that we hadn't seen before. I stared at a wall for a while, the ceiling, the wall again, got up and walked around for a little. I ended up outside watching cars go by. After you stare long enough, they become dots moving into view and then out of view. A few minutes later, I sat down and started writing the item that we call "In & Outs".

Now that is creative. With all these ideas you come up with, where do you see this site in five years?

That's a tremendously difficult question to answer especially when one considers how far we've come in just 2 1/2 years. I see the site bigger and, of course, better. We have plenty of plans, but you know me... I like surprises!

Surprises? Anything new coming up for the site?

Always. There is always something new coming for the site. You'll notice I go in spurts between "little" improvements... and great big ones.

I can't tell you just yet, but there is something VERY BIG coming to Writing.Com. We'll be announcing it soon... until then, you'll have to WAIT and WONDER!

Now you've got us all curious! You put so much time and effort into Writing.com, but you must need to get away from it all once in awhile. What do you do in your leisure time, when you find time that is?

I've always enjoyed bowling and still get out now and then to keep an average around 175. I just inherited my late Grandpa's pool table, so I've been playing a game or two of that when I need a break from working. Spending time with our seven wonderful cats is a great release, too. I like to build playhouses and toys for them. I also have an extensive DVD collection and always enjoy watching a good movie with my girlfriend.

You are full of surprises aren't you, online and off. Until now, after learning about the person behind the machine, a number of us held to a view of you as someone who is . . . "all powerful." Does anything scare you?

There's a few things that scare me: ice on the pavement, uncooked meat and spiders.

Oh, I hear you on the spiders, but uncooked meat? I take it the ideal meal wouldn't include a rare steak. (I envision your vegetarian girlfriend cringing at the thought). So what is your favorite food?

I couldn't pick a favorite. The "Turkey Rueben" from our local sandwich shop would be high up there, but it can't be without a side of corn nuggets! I also like Grammy's macaroni salad.

When you finish the perfect meal and sit down to relax, and perhaps enjoy some music, what do you listen to?

I'm pretty easy when it comes to music; I let SMs handle the selection most of the time.

Aside from your birthday, this is the season for even more celebrations. How will you, or are you, celebrating the holidays this year?

SMs and I held Thanksgiving in our home and spent the day with both of our families. We combined that with a small Chanukah celebration, since my family is Jewish. And as is tradition, we will spend Christmas at her parent's home. Christmas Eve is spent taunting SMs with threats of opening presents before the morning comes, but we never win . . . she's stuck in her childhood ways of waking up before the crack of dawn to rip open the gifts.

I like her tradition, since it's one I still adhere to as well. It sounds like you've adjusted to it just fine. Before I let you go, is there anything else you'd like to add?

Sure... 2 + 2 = 4 :)

Thanks for taking the time to interview me, Kim-Marie! I know I speak for a lot of our members when I say that I always look forward to reading your newsletter editorials!

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoy them. I'd also like to thank you for allowing me to do this interview. I know how busy you are, and if the stars hadn't lined up just so, the sun hadn't moved into Sagittarius, and a little coincidence and opportunity hadn't combined, this interview might not have been possible. Your sense of humor kept me smiling. It's been a pleasure getting to know you. Enjoy your birthday to the fullest. You deserve it!

As for our readers, when you get your new calendar for 2003, circle December 11th with a big red marker (to match the briefcase), and pay tribute to the man who made this site into our online home. Circle September 13th as well, so you don't have to miss the StoryMistress's, day of celebration either.

For more "behind the scenes" information on how this amazing duo manage to do all they do, and to gain a better understanding of the technical side of the site, see "Invalid Item" .

Ms Kimmie ~~Image #match Sharing Restricted~~

Author's Note added June 2003: Since conducting this interview the great unveiling occurred. Stories.Com became Writing.Com. I changed the "Stories.Com" references to "Writing.Com" throughout this article for easier understanding by members who may not have been aware of the previous name. Whatever you choose to call it, it's still the same great site it has always been and the StoryMaster is still as dedicated as ever.

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Edited June 22, 2008 to repair an incorrect WritingML tag.