An Educative Chat With @jedau...Solver Of Problems...Teller Of Stories... Great Wordsmith.... Part One

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Your favourite trail show The Inkpot is currently in it's third Steemisode, and our guest for this week is the amazing @jedau who is an author here on steemit, he is currently sharing a series with us here on steemit called Silver Lining

You can check his blog after reading this interview, Ladies and Gentlemen, i give you @jedau
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Ogochukwu: Can you tell us your name and where you came from?

Jedau: My name is Jed and my nickname is AU (pronounced ey-yu). That’s why my user name is jedau (pronounced jed-ow, because reasons). I’m born and raised in the Philippines. As to whether or not I will die here, that remains to be seen.

Ogochukwu: Before Steem where you involved with crypto-currencies and how did you find out about Steemit?

Jedau: I used to mine LTC a few years ago back in the early days of crypto, but my rig got fried and I haven’t set up another once since. I happened upon Steemit while browsing through tech sites and thought that it could be a cool place to hang out in.

Ogochukwu: What do you think is the greatest advantage Steemit/Steem have over other social media sites/crypto-currencies?

Jedau: I want to say the community, but I guess I don’t necessarily feel the benefits of it, even though most others do. So, the obvious answer for me is the potential rewards. To get paid while posting things you love is a dream come true. Too bad some people are gaming the system and posting stuff that they see elsewhere on the internet. Ironically, they earn more than people who post original work that was crafted for hours. Will it change in the future? I sure hope so.

Ogochukwu: What do you think about the three growth related strategies being implemented by the Steem Team led by @andrarchy and @zurvanic?

Jedau: Okay, so, this might not be a popular answer, but I’m not that big of a fan. Yet. Allow me to explain. Everything’s still up in the air, with no concrete thing in place yet. Maybe there is internally, but the community in general isn’t aware of it yet. I’m not someone who easily gets hyped, so tangible strategies are more appealing to me.

I do have to say though, I like the potential of the Crowdsourced Marketing Protocol. For an organization that exists on the blockchain, I guess that makes sense. However, I can’t help but think that some people are getting paid for it, while others are doing it pro bono.

I don’t like talking about Steemit in general because I don’t really feel like I have any say with its direction. For something that I’m a “part owner” of, that’s really quite discouraging. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but I was actually part of an effort to promote Steemit locally before they streamlined the marketing.

Once the heads were set up, I was one of the people that was, well, let go, I guess. Am I sour about it? Haha! A little bit. But, it is what it is.

I have some STEEM-related app ideas in mind, so hopefully I can contribute that way in the future. Also, I do hope for Steemit’s success.

Ogochukwu: What Literary Pilgrimages have you gone on?
I haven’t gone to any former writer’s retreats, but I’ve done quite a few soul searching walks. Really though, I get my best ideas while I’m in the shower. @meesterboom and @ezzy could definitely relate to that.

Ogochukwu: Do you think someone can be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

Jedau: Oh, good question. I guess that depends on the writing style. For me, I’m all about emotions. I try to play around with the reader’s emotions every chance I get. Also, whenever I write, I try to act out all the scenes, squeezing every last drop of emotion I can. That’s not exactly efficient, but it’s my process.

Some writers are more technical and by the book, resulting in stories that feel a bit formulaic. That’s not too say that it’s not any good, because some of the modern best sellers are like that. It’s just not my cup of tea.

Ogochukwu: Do you try to be more original or deliver what people want?

Jedau: Definitely original.As much as I want to cater to what’s popular, it’s just not how I operate. I do want to write something that people want, just so I can get more people to read, but sometimes it just comes off as formulaic. But, as you can see from my earnings, I rather write what I feel like writing instead of what I think people want to read.

Ogochukwu: Does a big Ego help or hurt writers?

Jedau: You know, this could go both ways. Some of the best and most popular writers in the world have hubris for days. I guess it helps them become more noticed than others, but it does hurt in terms of being complacent or not being capable of handling criticism effectively.

Ogochukwu: Does your family support your career as a writer?

Jedau: Sure, I guess they do. They don’t not support me, is what I’m trying to say. My family aren't big readers, but they’re happy for me whenever I finish writing stories.

Ogochukwu: Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

Jedau: In a way, I do. I sign my stories under AU Gonzales, even though most people know me as “Jed.” I understand the other writers who use pseudonyms that really hide their identity, but I’m not ashamed of exposing my thoughts to the world.

Ogochukwu: Do you believe in writer’s block?

Jedau: I want to say I don’t, because I don’t want to give it power. It exists because people believe it exists. For centuries, scribes have battled with that beast in hopes of ... Hmm ... Yeah, let me get back to you on that one.

Ogochukwu: What is your Writing Kryptonite?

Jedau: I would have to say that bad reviews really affect me a lot. Even though I try to develop a thick skin and not let those things get to me, I just can’t help but become discouraged. That’s why I try to not read reviews. Too bad that I reply to every last one of them.

Ogochukwu: What other Authors are your friends on steemit/outside steemit, that help you to become a better writer?

Jedau: Ohh! I’ve met some really great people here who are, above all else, fantastic writers themselves. @ezzy, @dreemit, @meesterboom and @verbal-d have all helped me in more ways than one.

Reading their wonderful work has helped me sharpen my skills. They’re also part of my marvelous support system! I couldn’t imagine myself still on Steemit without the help of these people, who I’m proud to call as friends.

From the Inkpot host @ogochukwu, thanks for reading, share your thoughts about this show in the comments, if there is anything you feel that needs to be added feel free to suggest, if there is any Steemian you also want to be on the show feel free to suggest.

The top quill strokes is here to acknowledge creative quotes or lines which are used by steemians on their blog. The quote of the week is
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Appreciate simple things, enjoy the silence, be always positive. @tincho
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The following are contests which are run by very wonderful Steemians
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50 word story contest which is run by @ogochukwu on @literature-trail
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The Art Challenge contest which is run by the amazing @aksinya on @artquest-trail
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The Art Trail contest which is run by the multitalented @paolobeneforti
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Thanks for reading have a nice day, don't forget to comment below.