On Writing Author Interview: Davidson L. Haworth

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview.   So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer?

Being able to escape the real world on a daily basis, and creating a world you actually want to be in. How many times do you turn on the news and wish you were on another planet? Writing allows you to do that.

What is your least favorite part?

Editing, or going back and making corrections.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.

A couple of years ago I had a bad case of writers block. I decided to travel to Wales for some time off, and behold the country gave me new ideas and energy. I owe a lot to Wales and its wonderful people.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?

I am always looking for new ways to advance vocabulary or to improve it.

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?

I think I am proud when a person approaches me or I get an e-mail from a reader telling me how much they enjoyed the [book].

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?

Virtue, chivalry, honor, faith, courage, charity, these are the cornerstones of a well-rounded person, and my characters share these with who I am as a person.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?

I write about what I know or what I invent in my imagination, but I do use real life historical places and events, so in this aspect of my writings I have to do much research to make sure I have all the right details.

How do you use the internet for your writing?

Everything, from using proper vocabulary, to research, internet has changed how writers work. Anyone who tells you that they still write pen to paper is giving you a dramatic storyline.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had? 

Winning awards renews confidence and validates that you have taken the proper path in life. No writers gets into the business for money or accolades, they do it for the joy of telling a tale. Nobody in their right mind would choose to be a writer, it just happens.

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?

Social media, web site, and simple word of mouth, people want to see you as well and a good book signing schedule is required. It is a fact that the average author only sells four books per signing, and it is a little discouraging, but one must throw themselves into the flames of the public eye.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?

Most writers have other projects and it is difficult to write sometimes. Carry a small journal and jot down every idea that pops into your mind. Never be discouraged because a writer will receive more criticism than accolades, even Shakespeare was spurned for his writings and many called his works rubbish. Throw away the negative and surround yourself with supporters. Always form the habit of writing at least two hours Monday through Friday.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?

Try not to procrastinate on your ideas or your dreams, cease the day.

Do you have any strange writing habits?

I don’t think I should answer this since it is a family oriented interview. Put it this way. I take on my day of writing like a warrior the night before battle.

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?

I do try and read every night before bed with a cup of black tea and a cozy fire. I still enjoy pulling out my J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis books. Ian Fleming is on my list along with Robert Jordan, but who can resist William Shakespeare. Believe it or not I also like to read anything from the Bronte sisters as well.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?

Only to write a story that I enjoy and if others enjoy it with me then that is fine with me. I write what I enjoy, not what the market tells me to write. If a person is writing to become a millionaire then they are in the wrong business.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS

What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?

This might sound cliché, but follow your dreams. Never allow anyone to tell you different. Go for that brass ring you are looking for in life.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?

I have done much in the industry, including working for big publishing houses. I suggest doing what feels right to you. In this day in age with technology anything is possible. A writer can try and get published by a big publishing house such as “Random House,” but that is unlikely. Try self-publishing or Amazon.com for green e-book releases. Tip your toe into the sea before diving in, test the waters. Never allow houses or agents tarnish your dreams, more times than not they are wrong.

Any thoughts on what this author writes?  How many books published?  Here's a little more information about the author...
 
How many published books are to your credit?  Six

Do you have an agent?  I do not.

How many different companies have you published with?  Two

How long have you been writing?   Thirty – six years

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?

I am a full time writer working on many projects.

So, any thoughts?  Here's the full scoop:

Davidson L. Haworth has been writing novels, short stories, articles and screenplays since his early years as an adolescent. His writings transcend through the ages and he is considered by many to be the father of historical fantasy. He has also been involved in local theater productions, including the San Jose Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker”. In his Prali Trilogy, The Dragon of Prali (iUniverse, Feb. 3, 2010) and his latest novel, The Wizard of Prali (iUniverse, Sept. 23, 2011) Davidson L. Haworth brings classic fantasy back. Fantasy genre has become extremely popular over the last several years with books like Harry Potter and Twilight, but with all their popularity they don’t satisfy readers hunger for good classic fantasy you can find in books by J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. Davidson L. Haworth returns the reader to the roots of the genre.

Author Davidson L. Haworth’s titles include:  The Eye of Mortals, Swords of the Enemy and The Dwarves of the Underworld (Fantasy); Black Hole Nemesis (Science Fiction); and The Dragon of Prali, The Wizard of Prali, and The Vampires of Prali (TBA) (Historical Fantasy)

His books are available through his Author Website (World Wide) http://www.davidsonlhaworth.com/, Barnes and Noble and other retailers throughout the world.

THE FUTURE

What are you working on now?

Right now I am working on the third book of the “Prali Trilogy,” and then I have plans for two novels that is in the fantasy genre, but much different then what I have been writing recently, it’s a bit of a secret.

PARTING WORDS

Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?

One bit of advice, “Always go forward and never turn back.”

Where can people learn more about you?

I urge all to visit my web site and give it a gander.

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews?  Let us know...drop us a comment below.

On Writing Author Interview: Author J. Johnson Higgins

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview. So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer? Writing gives me a jolt in the same way that caffeine does for most people. Just coming up with something for my story, no matter how small or big, is enough to get me through a day. It’s like a treat.

What is your least favorite part? I’m not a fan of the part where I have to sell my story. I’ve always written for fun and it always feels like a distraction from my writing and a lot of extra stress to try and stand out so someone will read my work. My confession: I wish it was completely someone else’s job so I can go back to writing.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.   I’ve had to overcome the pressure to write someone else’s book. I think we as writers get a lot of pressure to throw out our original ideas in order to write what experts or the markets say we should write. It was tempting but it was also at the root of most of my writing dilemmas. It can be paralyzing.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?  I’m working on transitions and “scene changes.” Many times I’ll write whole blocks of my story and find myself rearranging things because they make better sense told in a different order or from a different point-of-view. Though it usually works out, I’m working on planning that sort of stuff out in advance instead of after the fact.

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?   People say they can “see” my stories in their minds very easily. It’s the one consistent complement I get. That makes me proud of my work. I’m doing something right!

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?   My main character tends to get mixed up in things that are overwhelming and well outside of her comfort zone but she typically finds ways to keep her head on straight. She’s not perfect but she gets through it. We have that in common.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?   I do a little of both. What I know seems to show up in my stories without even trying but every now and then I’m fascinated by something I really don’t understand and I want it in my story. Interestingly, after doing a ton of research, most of it does not make it into the final version because it’s not relevant and would distract the reader from the point I’m making. In sum, it helps to know how the world works for the sake of the reader that happens to be an expert but I refuse to bore the rest of my readers with esoteric fun facts.

How do you use the internet for your writing?   I use it to examine mannerisms and tones of voice. Unless I’m in a café or somewhere where I can watch people, I like to look at people’s reactions to questions and situations online and do my best to reproduce those in my story when I’m describing a character doing the same thing. My imagination is good but it’s unbelievable all the little things that a person does that imply their state of mind. Online dictionaries are great too for checking confusing words.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had?   No awards. I’d like to say that this has protected me from developing an inflated ego.

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?  Business cards. They’re like bookmarks but I actually carry them everywhere I go and they seem to end up in people’s hands even if I’m not trying to give them out! People seem to want them.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?   I’ve gotten pretty good at setting aside time most days to write, even if it’s not for very long. Planning and pre-writing is a must for me too.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?  It’s not a good idea to make writing the very last thing on your agenda on any given day. Trust me, it won’t happen. Every now and then I convince myself that it’s no big deal and every time I’m wrong.

Do you have any strange writing habits?   I write rather short chapters usually but I guess it’s not that strange once you see how short James Patterson’s chapters are.

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?   I usually choose 19th century novels or modern thrillers. In all honesty, I read more non-fiction like newspapers and journal articles than anything else.  I don’t read my own genre. I’m actually disenchanted with the direction the genre has been going and the lack of innovation. I don’t want it rubbing off on me too much.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?   I hope that my writing is fun and interesting to read more than anything else.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?  Just write what you want to write and believe in that story. Only change your creative work if you believe it helps make it clearer but don’t change it for other reasons inconsistent with your core principals as an artist. It is important that the writing means something to you. After all, you’ll be the one with your name associated with it.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?   There is no one right way to publish your work. For some, this means to publish through a traditional and mainstream publisher; for others it means to publish it yourself or give it out for free. I say do what suits you and your story. The worse outcome is not publishing your work at all, if publishing is a major goal of yours.

Any thoughts on what this author writes? How many books published? Here's a little more information about the author...

How many published books are to your credit?   1

Do you have an agent?   No

Are you self-published?  Yes

How many different companies have you published with?   1

How long have you been writing?   17 years (but more seriously in recent years)

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?   I don’t write fiction full-time but I do write other things for a living. I’m a policy analyst so I write research papers and ghostwrite statements for people regularly. They are two very different styles of writing but with the same goal making sure the message is communicated to an audience effectively. I usually, write fiction in my free time (or I sneak it between other things when I’m not free).

So, any thoughts? Here's the full scoop:

     J. Johnson Higgins began his writing from a young age. In elementary school he was once asked to write a short myth as an assignment. From that point forward he continued writing short stories about magic and alternate worlds for fun. He continued this process on into his college years.
    His first novel, Legend of the Dark Messiah: The Mask and the Sword, was published in 2007. The novel was largely recognized as a refreshing new take on the Fantasy genre that combines an original modern-feeling world with a page-turning political conspiracy nicely woven into the plot.
    He currently lives in Maryland.
    His book, Legend of the Dark Messiah: The Mask and the Sword, can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and iUniverse (eBook and hardcover versions also available here).

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?  I’m currently preparing the second book in the Legend of the Dark Messiah series for publication. I’m also writing the third installment.

More information on Author J. John Higgins is available on his website at www.authorjjhiggins.com

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews? Let us know...drop us a comment below.