Excerpt from Interview:
Louise: Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
David: YES and YES! A little of both, I guess. In my latest book, Mickey is a character from my first published novel, Corporate Porn. Mickey was not the main character; however, I kept wondering what would happen if I brought him back and told the story from his point of view. SO, I brought Mickey back and he is the narrator in “Blood: The New Red.”
I do have notes and an outline (more on this shortly) that reference both the character and story, but I also think it’s important to allow your characters to develop on their own. Let the story go where it needs to go, maybe even you (the writer) will be surprised. When this is the case (you the writer are surprised), you can pretty much guarantee the reader will be surprised.
Louise: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?
David: (Pause) Well, let’s first establish that a lot of my writing mixes humor with dark undertones or subjects that may be considered taboo in other book genres. OK! So, not sure if “cool tidbits” would be qualify, but definitely “interesting.” Let’s say if there is a scene where a character is in the basement of an S&M club and is shooting heroin into their pinky toe. You know what…let’s just leave this one alone and assume my Google history is VERY incriminating.
Louise: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?
David: Wow, writing by the seat of your pants is NOT the first thing that comes to mind when I hear “Pantser”, anyway… I am a pretty organized writer. I am always taking notes that I will use later in my books or columns. Once I have an idea for a book I will draft an outline that breaks out each chapter and has a summary of what may happen. I usually have a potential plot as well, though I rarely end up using it. This is more of a crutch so I don’t get two chapters in and experience mind numbing anxiety because I’m unsure if I will have an ending.
Louise: Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.
David: You just gave me an idea for a short story: A writer always writes with his stained flannel blanket draped over his lap. One day his apartment is robbed and the blanket is gone. The writer experiences writer’s block and begins drinking, and comedy ensues! I’ve digressed. No, I don’t have any rituals for writing. Coffee is more of a life ritual for me. I use standard composition style notebooks for notes and outlines and my mini Dell computer to write. That’s pretty much it, unless you count tequila.
Share
Save