It is my great pleasure to welcome Douglas to my blog.
We are both members at Master Koda on Face book.
A group where support is of the utmost importance and a group that really do just that, SUPPORT.
In this business you need all that and more, a great group under the leadership of Kim Mutch Emerson.
It is a great honor to have him here.
1.
Are you famous is the general question I get when family and friends introduces
me to their friends. It always left me with a pause as quick comebacks filters
through my mind but ending up saying something like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give
a shy smile, silly I know but the idea unsettles me.
(a)Does
this happen to you and (b) what do you say?
This
does happen to me now-and-then when folks find out I’ve written a few books. I
usually smile and tell them I’m locally famous depending on where you’re
standing.
2.
In general do you like to talk about your writing and published books or are
you very close-lip about it? If no why?
I
do enjoy talking about my writing and the books I’ve published. I find that
most people seem genuinely interested in hearing about what it was like to
write and publish a book. Often, the story of how I came to write my first book
fascinates them more than the actual story in the book.
3.
What book/s are you currently writing and what is it about?
I
currently have three projects underway at the same time. The first is another
young adult novel titled: A BOY, A BEACH, AND A COFFEE BEAN. The manuscript is
complete and I am currently seeking representation for this title. No cover
yet, I’m afraid, but I can tell you a little about the story.
The novel opens on the first day of summer
vacation on Buzby Island. Instead of sleeping late and spending the rest of the
day on the beach, Jacques O’Larrity (yes, his mother knew how that would sound)
is up at the crack of dawn to go to work in his mother’s coffee shop, The
Parisian Bean. A single-mom since Jacques’s father walked out when the boy was
three, Marie has decided that at fifteen Jacques is old enough to start taking
some real responsibility in the family business. Opening the store for the
early morning bakery delivery and getting the coffee brewing for the first
customers of the day fits that bill quite nicely.
Jacques’s
fifteenth summer will bring many firsts for the boy: first kiss, first love,
first heartbreak, first time he’s seen his father in twelve years, and his
first serious girlfriend. Events will challenge his image of himself, how he
sees others, and force him to make decisions that could affect the rest of his life.
All this against a background of sun, sand, salt air, and the aroma of baking
cakes and fresh brewed coffee.
I’m
also working on drafts for a follow-up series to my RIVER DREAM books. The new
series picks up with the same family a generation later.
The
third project is a departure from the young adult genre as it addresses how a
man in his fifties adjusts to the sudden loss of his wife just as they reach
the empty nest stage.
4.
Why this particular genre?
I
chose to write for young adults so my students - I teach middle school - could
read my books.
5.
What inspired or motivated you to write?
I
have enjoyed writing since I was in junior high and a fabulous English teacher
by the name of {fill in name of 8th grade English teacher here}
encouraged me to write, write, write. More recently, I was inspired to write
the River Dream series after attending an adult sailing camp at the camp my
sons had attended for many summers and where I finally learned how to sail.
That experience set the stage for the River Dream books and the camp actually
features prominently in the story.
6.
What is the writing process like for you?
I
get an idea and I may write it down or sometimes I mull it over in my mind for
a while. If the idea sticks around, I’ll sit down at the computer and start
typing the story line down. If the story seems to be working, I’ll start to
flesh it out with dialog and begin creating backstories for my characters. When
it’s all really flowing, I’ll lose my sense of time and place and become
immersed in the story as I write it.
7.
How did/do you teach yourself to write?
I
think the most important thing I did to teach myself to write was to be a
voracious reader. I believe my writing style has been influenced by a host of
my favorite authors.
8.
What aspect of the craft do you think is most difficult to learn?
The
most difficult aspect of the craft of writing for me has been learning what to
leave out, whether it be words, scenes, or whole chapters. Sometimes a
paragraph that I just loved writing doesn’t, in the end, move the story along
and has to be cut.
9.
What has been the most encouraging comment someone has made about your writing?
There
have been so many, but one stands out in my mind. A reader who was also a
mother of teenage daughters told me the two things she liked best about my
books were, one – she truly enjoyed the writing and getting to know the
characters and, two – she knew she could leave the book on the table and not
worry if her daughters picked it up and started reading it as the stories were
equally appropriate for them as for her.
10.
What is the best and/or worst part of being a writer?
The
best part of being a writer is giving life to my characters. Around my house,
my characters become part of the household to the point where we speak of them
as if they were real people we know.
The
worst part of being a writer, I guess, is that the little editor inside my head
is always working even when I’m reading other writers’ work and I notice little
things most readers probably overlook.
11.
Any advice for struggling writers?
I
know it’s cliché, but clichés are around for a reason – Write! Write! Write!
And find someone who will give you an honest, constructive critique of what you
write. But most important, WRITE!
12.
What is your favorite genre to read or write?
My
favorite genre has changed over the years but the two I have read most
consistently are Science Fiction and Military Adventure.
13.
Favorite author?
Based
on the sheer number of his books I’ve read, I would have to name W.E.B. Griffin
as my favorite author. Isaac Asimov would give Mr. Griffin a run for his money
with me though.
14.
Do you have a favorite spot to read and write?
My
favorite spot to read would be on the beach somewhere along the North Carolina
coast, most often Kure Beach.
My
favorite place to write is at a corner table of a coffee shop, aware of the
hubbub around me yet apart from it, lost in the story I’m creating.
15.
What did you do before you became a writer?
Counting
from when I began work on the story that became my first book, RIVER DREAM, I
was an accountant turned middle school teacher before I became a writer and my
day job is still teaching.
16.
Was it a life long dream or triggered recently?
Writing
is something I’ve dreamed of doing since junior high school. In all the years
between then and writing RIVER DREAM I’ve filled notebooks and boxes with
poems, short-stories, essays, and the beginnings of novels. But writing was
always something to be done in the background of getting on with real life.
Attending
the Adult Sailing Camp and learning to sail inspired me to write the RIVER
DREAM series.
17.
What do you like to do when not writing?
When
I’m not writing I like to spend time with my wife and sons to the beach, going
fishing, going camping, or sailing.
18.
Do you have a bucket/ to-do list and would you share at least two things on it?
Two
of the main things on my bucket list have recently been accomplished, learning
to sail and publishing a book. One of the other things, becoming a grandfather,
is outside of my control. (Boys, are you paying attention?) I would also like
to learn to SCUBA Dive someday soon.
19.
Most daring thing or experience you have done you would like to share?
One
of the most daring experiences I would like to share happened the winter after
I got out of the Army. I was living in New England at the time and went to work
at a ski area managing night snowmaking operations. Night-after-night my crew
and I went out onto the mountain in the cold to operate the equipment to make
man-made snow so there would be enough cover on the mountain for the skiers to
ski. That winter there was almost no snow before Christmas and the resort was
able to open for the holiday because of the work of my crew. The job itself was
a daring adventure every night.
20.
This or that questions:
Drinks Coffee,
Sweet tooth, Like Homemade meals, Favorite season is Summer, Early-Bird, Like to Visit.
Which
social network do you prefer? Facebook, it’s where all my friends are.
Blogger
or website?
My website is www.riversailorliterary.com and there is a sort of
blog on there where I occasionally post excerpts from stories I’m working on.
What
does your family say about your career?
My family has been very supportive of
my writing. My wife has taken on the role of proof-reader and pre-editor. My
sons are both beta readers and aren’t afraid to tell me which characters they
like and don’t like and why.
And
Finally Moto/wisdom in life you live by.
Great words of wisdom, hmm. Remember that most of the people you meet in life are doing the best they can. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Freely offer courtesy and kindness. It costs you nothing and might just make someone’s day a little better.
Contact
details and buy links of the newest books you would like the readers to know.
Readers
can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RiverSailorLiterary, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DWDavisRSL and can visit my
website at http://www.riversailorliterary.com/.
My latest book, DREAMS ADRIFT, the third in the RIVER DREAM
series,
is available on Amazon
Synopsis:
DREAMS ADRIFT is the much anticipated third book of the River Dream series. It begins immediately after the end of DREAMS CHANGE. In DREAMS ADRIFT, Michael and Maeve are about to renew their vows in the big, beach side wedding Maeve had always dreamed of when Rhiannon’s unexpected arrival threatens to derail their plans. Will Rhiannon be able to win Mike back, or will his new love for Maeve be stronger than his old feelings for his high school sweetheart? The fates once conspired to change Michael’s dreams. Are they now conspiring to set his DREAMS ADRIFT?
Thank you for your interest in DREAMS ADRIFT, and may all your River Dreams come true.
About the author
DW Davis is an independent author of
young adult romance novels told from the guy's perspective. RIVER DREAM was his
first novel. DREAMS CHANGE and DREAMS ADRIFT continue the story begun in RIVER
DREAM.
DW’s writing reflects his memories growing up along the North Carolina coast near Wrightsville and Carolina Beaches North Carolina
Contact: DW
Davis, Author/Publisher
dwdavis@riversailorliterary.com
www.facebook.com/RiverSailorLiterary
www.riversailorliterary.com
