The path to success as a creative writer is rarely a straight line and doesn’t always include finanical reimbursement as part of the criteria (although when it does, that in itself can often open up new avenues toward more creativity). Scott McCormick has worked as an editor and technical communicator for a number of years, including an ongoing stint with Disc Makers, and first ventured into more creative territory with his first published book, Mr. Pants: It’s Go Time, which struck a chord with children, as well as amusing adults with zany humor. Released as a set of graphic novels, the series has now expanded to four books.
When his agent moved to Audible, Scott was presented with another intriguing opportunity: to create the script for an audiobook to make history more palatable and entertaining for young readers.
Realizing that if you can keep kids laughing, you can keep them listening, Scott injected the same variety of off-the-wall humor into Rivals!: Frenemies Who Changed the World. In this interview, Scott talks about what it took to make the title a success and how it has led to Rivals2!: More Frenemies Who Changed the World.
I found the rivalry between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison especially entertaining, as Scott covered the skirmishes between the two and the twists that changed the whole course of electrical generation in this country. Sit back and enjoy the talk.
Interview with Scott McCormick
Nikola Tesla (top image) and Thomas Edison (bottom) had an ongoing rivalry that changed the course of electrical generation in the US (one of the stories that skates on the edge of absurdity, but is absolutely true).