Exploring Inspiration, History, and the Writing Process with a Master of Mystery
Award-winning author Steve Zimcosky discusses his Polish Dragon P.I. series, Cleveland’s influence on his work, his writing process, and advice for aspiring mystery writers.
Steve Zimcosky, the multi-award-winning and internationally acclaimed author, is a master storyteller whose work resonates with readers across the globe. Best known for his Polish Dragon P.I. series, Zimcosky draws inspiration from his roots in Cleveland, Ohio, weaving rich historical and cultural threads into his gripping narratives. A lifelong passion for mystery and detective fiction, nurtured by the works of literary giants like Stephen King and Ed McBain, has shaped his distinctive voice in the genre.
In this exclusive interview for Reader’s House Magazine, Zimcosky opens up about the creative journey behind his beloved series, the challenges of crafting compelling characters, and the profound influence of his upbringing in Cleveland. He also shares insights into his writing process, the themes he explores, and how retirement has allowed him to embrace writing as both a passion and a pastime.
For aspiring authors, Zimcosky offers invaluable advice, emphasising perseverance, honesty, and the joy of storytelling. His reflections on balancing creativity with life’s other pursuits, as well as his candid discussion of the most challenging book he’s written, provide a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a writer who continues to captivate audiences with his tales of intrigue and history.
Join us as we delve into the world of Steve Zimcosky, a writer whose dedication to his craft and love for storytelling shine through in every word.
What inspired you to create the Polish Dragon P.I. series?
I have always wanted to write a mystery series and I had enjoyed watching all of the P. I. shows that were on television when I was growing up. The name Polish Dragon came into play based on my Polish nationality and the fact that I studied martial arts for quite some time. The Bruce Lee craze was going on in the 70s and he was known as the Dragon so I put the two of them together and created The Polish Dragon. During my days competing I had thought about calling myself that but felt it wasn’t the right time.
How do your experiences growing up in Cleveland influence your writing?
Growing up in Cleveland gave me some insight into all of the history of the city. Things many people, today, are not aware of. I try to include those bits of information into my stories to educate my readers about the history of Cleveland. At one time it was the fifth largest city in the United States, and the biggest between New York City and Chicago.
Can you share your writing process and how you develop your characters?
My writing process is one of writing by the seat of my pants, as I describe it to others. I start writing with an idea that I have in mind and then change it as I go along. If the characters don’t seem quite right, I change them or something about them. When I get writer’s block, I generally go for a walk in the park which clears my head and gets me back on track. Sometimes someone might make a suggestion and if it fits in with the story-line I go with it. I have friends and family who do the beta reading for me and let me know how the book may turn out.
Which of your books has been the most challenging to write, and why?
The most challenging one for me to write was the very first book I had written. It’s called The Old Man from the Hill (Lessons in Qigong and Tai Chi). I teach Qigong and Tai Chi and twelve years ago one of my students suggested that I write a book about it. There were quite a few books on the market for these arts and I didn’t know where to begin. One day it came to me to write as a story how a young boy meets his teacher and learns about Qigong and Tai Chi as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine. I wrote it in a way that it could be read by anyone of any age and they would still be able to get benefits from it. It is the most well received book I have written.
What themes do you find yourself exploring most often in your stories?
With the Polish Dragon books, I try to write them with a bit of history to them or a social issue that I feel I would like to address. Murder at Manzanar talks about the plight of the Japanese Americans who were put into internment camps at the start of World War II. Most people don’t know the history of what happened to them and how they lost all of their possessions. In some cases, their very neighbors took their homes and the belongings left behind. In Haning Cloud I talked about how the US government wanted to assimilate the Native Americans into the rest of society and basically trying to eradicate them by having them marry non-natives to wipe out the genes of the Native Americans. Also, they wanted to take back the land they gave them as reservations to live on. And one piece of history most people don’t know is the person who was in charge of setting up the internment camps for the Japanese Americans was also the same person in charge of the Native American assimilation program.
How do you balance writing with your retirement activities?
I spend some time teaching Tai Chi and Qigong along with reading. I read mystery books, primarily private eye stories, along with other mysteries. I took a year off from writing to take a break as my mind seemed to go blank when it came to creating stories. I have started writing again this month and it feels great to be back. Retirement gives me the time to write when I want to or when I can. Writing has become like a hobby to me and it keeps me busy in my retirement.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to break into the mystery genre?
My advice would be to sit down and start writing. Find people who will be honest with you about your writing and don’t give up. Take workshops and classes on how to write and just keep going. There will be people who don’t like what you write but you can’t let that stop you. You need to have this skin, because even some of the greatest writers still have critics. For me the more I write the easier it gets. And don’t expect your books to be best sellers. Everyone thinks they have a best seller when they start writing but it’s not the reality. I write because it’s fun for me and that’s what keeps me going.
