My newest author interview is with fiction writer, D.R. Shoultz.
Tell me a about
yourself. What got you started in
writing?
I
grew up in a small town in central Illinois.
I was a decent student, a better athlete, and an average son. I was the
first in my family to go to college, but had no real aspirations at the time.
It was just something I needed to do. I
graduated in 1976 with a BS in education and an MS in mathematics and was hired
by an international I/T firm to sell computer systems.
After
a rewarding 31-year sales management career and a wonderful 33 years with my
wife, I found myself retired and widowed at age 55. The silence was painful. To fill my time, I
volunteered, traveled, and even tried going back to work for a while, but I had
always wanted to write, so I gave it a try.
My interest
in fiction composition doesn’t stem from my formal education, but rather is
inspired by my life experiences, creative desire, and over-active imagination.
I was fortunate to meet Claudia, a
former journalist and editor, about the time I began writing. She shared her editorial skills to help shape
and tune my novels. It was a
relationship that worked well -- so well, we married in the spring of 2012. But even with Claudia’s assistance, I ended
up throwing away my first attempt at a novel.
I’ve since authored and self-published three books: CORRUPT CONNECTION, BETTER LATE THAN EVER, and my latest, MELTING SAND – A Miles Stevens Novel. I’ve found it takes me about a year to
write, edit, and publish each book. It’s
a pace that I enjoy and that I plan to continue.
How and where do you
write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?
I’m fortunate to be able write whenever and wherever I please, but I tend
to write in the early morning and late at night. It’s not unusual for me to get an idea as I’m
about to fall asleep and get up to capture in on the computer. The next thing I know the sun is rising. I’ve been around computers my whole life and
am rarely without a laptop or a tablet nearby.
What's your favorite
part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
I love the creative part of writing.
My stories tend to evolve rather than having a formal structure before I
begin. I like being able to turn and
tweak the stories and the characters as I write. I don’t like the editing, but I have learned
it’s better to over-edit than to under-edit.
How do you come up
with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?
My characters are parts of me and people I’ve met. I try not to parallel anyone’s personality or
life so closely it becomes obvious to anyone that would know them. My three novels all have three common
elements: a leading male character who is virile yet vulnerable, a strong-minded
female character that becomes the partner and/or love interest of the leading
man, and a cloak of danger that surrounds them both. I hope the readers want to get to know Miles
Stevens, a time traveling CIA agent from my current novel, because he will
continue with the series.
What types of
marketing do you do to promote your writing?
I do all the typical marketing activities, but not sure I do any of them
well. I have submitted and published
press releases in local papers, participated in book signings, created a blog,
and I’m active on Facebook, Twitter, and goodreads.
How do you schedule
your writing time? When do you write?
As I stated earlier, I write mainly in the morning and late at night, but
also whenever the mood strikes me. My
writing competes mainly with my travel schedule. My wife and I share four children, five
grandchildren and our parents – all spread coast to coast. We also like to get away on our own
occasionally, but even when I travel, my laptop comes along.
What are you currently
working on? Do you have a new book out?
MELTING SAND – A Miles Steven Novel
was published October 2013. It’s a CIA
time travel, action/adventure novel, and it’s the first in a series featuring
Miles Stevens, CIA agent, who’s sent back in time from the year 2050 to alter
tragic worldwide events. In MELTING SAND, Miles connects with Terri
King, and they attempt to avert a chain of events leading to a Middle East
nuclear war that’s set to erupt in 2027.
Do you have a project
on the back burner? Tell me about it.
I have begun the next novel in the Miles Stevens series, and
plan to have it completed by this time next year. Miles will be taking on a planned
cyber-attack capable of crippling the U.S. financial systems and infrastructure
and spreading death and chaos to American cities.
I’ve also been focusing time writing short stories, as well
as posting author interviews and book reviews to my blog, “A Place for Readers
and Writers.” I
plan to eventually publish a collection of my short stories. Until then, I post one story each month for
free reading on my blog, http://DRShoultz.blogspot.com
What would you tell a
beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough
talent?
I’ve found the most import part
of writing is enjoying it. If you have
the desire, you will eventually develop the ability. The more you read and write, better your
writing will become. Most writers list
financial success as third or fourth on their lists of reasons on why they
write. The same is true of me. My top
reason is I enjoy doing it.
You can learn more
about D.R. Shoultz and his writing at the following sites:
