Meet Cutter Slagle | Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cutter Slagle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cutter, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
For me, in terms of writing, giving up has never been an option. I define myself as a writer. There may be times (okay, a lot of times!) when I feel discouraged or not fully satisfied with where I am in my writing career, but that doesn’t ever make me want to give up. Sure, I may take breaks or time off from working on a manuscript or article, and I definitely complain to close friends and family when I’m feeling particularly frustrated or “stuck,” but I still don’t ever consider giving up. I’m passionate about writing, and while there have been many disappointments throughout my journey, there have been many wonderful moments, too. Regardless if I’m discouraged or frustrated or taking a break, I know that writing will always be there for me. It sounds a little corny but it’s true: If I gave up on writing–fully gave up–I don’t know what I would do or who I would be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am very proud to be a writer and have a creative mind. I started writing my first murder mystery novel in middle school. Yet, it wasn’t until college that I began focusing more on my craft. During my senior year at The Ohio State University, a couple of my short stories were chosen for publication. After I graduated, I continued writing, both novels and shorter pieces, with many of the latter selected for publication for various online magazines. After taking a short break from writing, I self-published three eBooks of short stories, my Motive for Murder anthology. From there, a new boutique publishing house became interested in my work. They published my first novel, The Next Victim, in 2015, as well as my second, ‘Til Death, in 2016. Later, the books went out of print and I recently decided to re-release them myself. The Next Victim was re-released in October 2023, available digitally. ‘Til Death was re-released in February 2024, available digitally and in print. To find out more about these works, visit www.cutterslagle.com. I’m currently in the process of editing a full-length manuscript while drafting a new book. In addition to fiction, I write a column for an LGBTQ+ magazine that is distributed throughout Southern California. I also have my own blog. Both my column and blog tend to focus on lifestyle topics, specifically dating in the gay community and its challenges. I always try to keep the pieces fun(ny) and light, as well as share the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Whether I’m writing fiction or non-fiction, I enjoy telling a story. I’m passionate about words and fitting them together in a way that evokes some sort of emotion from the reader. In terms of fiction writing, my work is crime-based, and I’m intrigued by the psychology of murder i.e. what makes a person snap and the motives behind their actions. This has not been an easy journey by any means, and I’m still nowhere near where I want to be in my writing career. As such, I think the biggest lessons I’ve learned are A) Getting comfortable with rejection and not taking it personally, and B) the importance of perseverance. All writers have a unique voice, and if readers take one thing away from mine, whether from fiction or non-fiction, I hope that it’s entertainment–I just want to entertain people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a challenging question for me. Being a writer, I spend a lot of my time at home, alone, with my nose in a book or my fingers dancing across the keyboard. However, there is always something fun and beautiful to see in San Diego. Obviously, dining on Mexican cuisine is a must! Old Town is a great destination for food and fun. We’re known for our sun, so I’d recommend spending the day at any one of our beaches (Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Coronado) and then catching the sunset at Sunset Cliffs. Balboa Park is a great place to walk around and explore, conveniently adjacent to the San Diego Zoo. Sea Port Village, North Park, and Hillcrest are all wonderful destinations, too! Really, for me, the main attraction here is the weather, so I simply recommend being outside.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a writer. I started drafting my first novel when I was 12 or 13 years old. Though my family and friends were always supportive–and remain supportive–my high English teacher, Mr. Hogue, was the first outside presence to offer encouragement. Unfortunately, Mr. Hogue is no longer with us, but I will always remember him telling me to “keep writing.” Additionally, I had an amazing college professor, Doug Sutton-Ramspeck, who helped me view writing in a whole new light. He taught me how to be a better storyteller. Specifically, he gifted me with the important tool of knowing the difference between showing and telling in writing. I’ve also been greatly inspired by some of my favorite authors, including Lisa Gardner and James Patterson (his early work).

Website: https://www.cutterslagle.com

Instagram: @cutterslagle

Facebook: Writer: Cutter Slagle

Other: TikTok: @cutterslagle

Image Credits
The first image I uploaded, the image of me, is from Carlo Fiorillo.
The second photo of just me (I’m wearing a green jacket) is from Gabriel Patterson.
The photo of me with the books in the background (‘Til Death) is from Steve Smith.
The book cover of A Motive for Murder is from Steve Smith.
The photo of The Next Victim is from Vedder Slagle.