With Sarah at Workaday Reads
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Interview: David Englund + Giveaway
Today I have an interview with David Englund, author of the recently released Upsetting the Tides, the first in a new series of Science Fiction/Action/Thriller stories.
Anything else to add?
Thank you so much Sarah for giving me this opportunity. It is an honor to do an interview for a site that is so dedicated to books. I love talking about my story and it tickles me to think that thousands of people might read this interview.
What’s the hardest part of writing a book?
The hardest part would have to be reading it for the 27th time, trying to perfect a story that will never be perfect. Regardless of how many times I go over a story, I will always think of more things to change after the book is done. That is one of the reasons why Clark (the main character) writes my blog posts. The story continues to live as he adds information about his adventures that “didn’t make it into the files” (book).
What’s your favourite part of writing a book?
The best part has to be the beginning process of a new book when story ideas are just popping into my head. There are so many directions a story can take. It is so much fun to develop the ideas into plot lines. And the writing at that point is incredibly fun; just get words on paper without concern for editing.
What inspired you to become a writer?
Answering this question at face value, I would have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and watching stories my entire life. It is exhilarating to make up stories of my own now. However, I never set out to be a writer in a wordsmith sense. I think of myself as more of a story teller. I simply hoped to tell a story that someone would want to read.
How long did it take to write your book?
Believe it or not, I wrote the rough draft in four months. Once the ball started rolling and the story began formulating in my head, I could not wait to sit at the computer and pour out new ideas. I wrote several pages each day. Then, I spent the next two years, off and on, improving on it as I gained writing experience writing the next two books (now in editing themselves).
Do you write your book from page 1 to the end, or do you jump around?
I jump around like crazy. Many times I will be writing in three or four chapters at the same time because I am excited about several different plot lines. I even jump back and forth between books. When ideas come to me, I have a difficult time being patient.Anything else to add?
Thank you so much Sarah for giving me this opportunity. It is an honor to do an interview for a site that is so dedicated to books. I love talking about my story and it tickles me to think that thousands of people might read this interview.
Thanks for the compliment on my site. I would love to think thousands of people might read your interview here too.
With Rachel at Rai29 BookReadNReview
David Englund has written Upsetting The Tides.
1. What is your name and where do you call home?
David Englund. I currently live in Fargo, North Dakota.
2. Do you have a pen name?
I don’t but I thought about it for a long time. My main character’s name is Clark Jackson. I was going to go with Jack Clarkson myself to have some fun with it.
3. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
Upsetting The Tides. How would a normal person with no military or scientific training deal with finding a portal to other worlds?
4. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
Actually, I have already written the next two books which are now in editing and I have started the fourth book. There are so many worlds out there to visit, I think I could write Clark stories for the rest of my life.
5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and reading stories my entire life. I found it to be an absolute blast to make up my own stories.
6. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
John Berdahl was great to work with. I wanted readers to get the impression that there is an abundance of worlds for the character to venture to.
7. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?
I really like the cover for the upcoming third book in the series (displayed on my blog). I am extremely excited about that story line and I feel like the cover conveys the image that I want (The first two stories are exciting too).
8. How did you come up with the title for your book?
I made a list of about 150 possible titles and I kept coming back to this one. I must have asked a hundred people for their favorite off of the list. There was no consensus so I finally decided to go with my favorite one.
9. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?
I think I will always lament over aspects that I could have done better or differently, especially now that reviews are starting to come out. The thing is, I liked the energy that went into that story. I had so much fun writing it and I think it shows. I didn’t want to overdo the tinkering and possibly lose that feeling.
10. Are you a self-published / Indie author?
Yes, I am self-published. I am learning that self-published books are getting a bad rep for not being professionally edited. That’s too bad. Everyone needs editing. I would be embarrassed if readers were to see the mistakes I make before Wanda goes through my work.
11. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
I have read Tom Clancy’s Clear and Present Danger twice and L. Ron Hubbard’s Battlefield Earth a couple of times. I could read both of them again.
12. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
I am finally reading The Hunger Games in paperback. So far, I am thoroughly enjoying it.
13. Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
I’m guessing that there aren’t many existing writers out there that need my advice but I would like to say something to everyone in general. Don’t be afraid to write. We all have a story inside us. Let it out.
14. Where can your readers follow you?
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/215495.David_Englund
Amazon: http://amazon.com/dp/B005ZLLU8U
