Steve Bartholomew, author of Gold, says, "I used to be a social worker--worked in East Harlem, NYC for several years, then moved to San Francisco where I got to see all the bad neighborhoods. Then I moved to a rural area, where I did the same thing for several more years."

Now, he is retired and free of his day job, and with a wry smile, says, "I get to work twelve hours a day instead of eight."

The interesting thing about his work, he says, was that he had the opportunity to meet all kinds of people, none of which were ordinary.

He used to read a lot of science fiction and fantasy, and still does on occasion. But he says that some time ago he realized actual history was more "far-fetched" than the wildest fantasy. "Historical fiction is another way of looking at history," he says. "I like American history because it happens all around me."

When asked about his writing journey, he says, "I learned to write by writing. I did have some help. My high school English teacher, Miss McGloin, ripped me up one side and down the other for being too lazy to study grammar. Unfortunately, I never went back to thank her.

"I used to write short stories, but there's not as much demand for those anymore. Besides, I realized I really like to read longer stories, specially long novels. I think it's a good idea to write the kind of thing a person likes to read."

He says he didn't consider himself to be a writer until he sold his first short story to Astounding Science Fiction, when he was twenty.

When asked what inspired him to write Gold, he said, "This story was originally inspired by a history book I picked up at a yard sale--Sea Routes to the Gold Fields--by Oscar Lewis, published in the 1950s. This led me into a lot of other reading about the Gold Rush, and I found no end of untold stories. Several years ago, I had an opportunity to see some of the actual wreckage of the Brother Jonathan, which sank at Crescent City, California in 1865. She was a typical Gold Rush era steamer. After learning more about this type of ship, I realized a passenger boarding her must have felt as our astronauts do today, when they board the Space Shuttle. The side wheel steamers had the largest wooden hulls ever built, and the engines were strictly experimental technology. And they didn't even have radios. Once out on the sea, they were on their own--more isolated than the crew of Apollo 13."

Many writers struggle with "writer's block." Steve doesn't believe there's any such thing. "How could anyone run out of ideas? I'm constantly making up stories and telling them to myself, if not to anyone else. I do have a problem with procrastination, which is not the same thing. I heard some good advice once from someone who does writers' workshops: 'Is writing important to you? Sure it is. Is it important enough to spend 15 minutes a day doing it?' The only problem is getting started on that first 15 minutes."

Steve allows plot and characters to develop themselves. He says, "I just listen. If a character tells me he/she wants to do something absurd, I don't try to argue; I just let him do it to see what happens."

When asked about his marketing plan for Gold, Steve said, "I'm accustomed to going to book signings, for myself and for other writers. I belong to two different writer's groups, which both meet monthly. I get a lot of ideas from other writers. Next month I'm being interviewed on a local radio station, and will read short excerpts from my three completed novels. I'm willing to travel long distances to attend conferences where I can display my work."

He enjoys writing in the historical genre because he says it provides opportunities to play with the English language. "There are so many wonderful, forgotten tales buried in the old books. I have recently finished a novella about Benjamin Franklin and Franz Anton Mesmer, who knew each other and were both remarkable scientists. My next project, still in the research stage, will again relate to gold mining, but in the early twentieth Century."

Steve spends a lot of time at the computer. To relax and unwind, he rides his bicycle on country roads. He also does a lot of walking. He says, "I once told someone I don't believe in hobbies, because I take everything seriously. I was only half serious. Aside from writing, I have put a lot of time and energy into photography. I would call it a passion rather than a hobby. If I really want to unwind and relax, I read a good book in the hot tub."

To the question: What advice would you give to beginning writers? he says, "Learn as much as you can about grammar and spelling--the nuts and bolts of language. Learn the rules before you start breaking them. Read as much as you can, but read what you like, not what other people think you ought to read. Then write as much as you can, but write what you like to read, not what other people think you ought to write."

 In conclusion, Steve said, "Over the years, I've received gratifying feed back from people about things I've written. To me, this is the greatest reward a writer can expect."