R.T. Ester's story "The Elevator Down" became part of a long discussion between the WLM editors when we first encountered it. Its humor, darkness, and different form invite conversation. Take a read through a short interview conversation we had with the author below!
What makes you keep writing, even when it's hard?
Before I started taking it more seriously, writing was already something I did compulsively. And on some level that hasn't really changed. I think what keeps me going is I just enjoy being in my own head a little too much.
What other creative activities do you like to do?
In addition to writing, I have an interest in music production that hasn't enjoyed as much time investment as the writing has but it’s still kicking. I play drums. I have a design degree I use mainly at my day job but once in a while I’ll work on personal projects for people I know.
Describe your workspace.
I don’t have a dedicated workspace and I think about 70% of my drafting on average is done on my phone while I’m on the go. It actually used to be more. Sometimes it’s the train I take to work and then the train back. I think about twice a week, I get time to sit at an actual desk. Nothing special, just a desk in the corner of the house somewhere.
What is your least favorite word?
I don't know if this is the right answer but right now it appears to be “usually.” I’ve developed a compulsion toward replacing it with “normally” whenever I’m editing.
What's your favorite obscure novel or short story (a work you never hear anyone else talking about)?
There’s one I always recommend called American War by Omar Akkad. It’s near-future climate fiction about a girl who loses her family to war in the American South.
What was your favorite children’s book?
I have vague memories of reading and enjoying a few Animorphs books in middle school. I didn't really catch the reading bug till later on.
What's your editing process? Do you have a first or beta reader, or a workshop group?
I’m part of a critique group that has helped me immensely over the last four years. In addition, there are a few other writers I periodically swap stories with. As far as editing itself, I edit compulsively as I draft. But I also make a few editing passes before actually sending it out to a reader.
Where do you go when you need to work out a writing block?
Normally I go back to reading the story or article I’d put down so I could write. Sometimes I have to avoid thinking about what I’m writing or even looking at it for a few days.
R.T. Ester lives just outside Dallas, Texas, where he works full time as a graphic designer and spends his off-hours raising three young kids with his wife. In his spare time, he writes speculative fiction and has had stories published in Interzone and Clarkesworld. His debut novel, The Ganymedan, is due out in fall 2025 from Solaris Books. Updates from R.T. can be found at rtwrites(dot)com.