DAVID ARDUSER
- GUEST AUTHOR & PUBLISHER -
G'day folks,
Today, I interview an interesting multi-genre author and publisher.
Welcome, David ...
1.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.
I began
writing my first novel when I was fourteen. When most kids were outside
playing, I was writing on my novel. I've finally published this novel (which is
my third publish, called SilverForged: Crucible), though it has one through
several rewrites since then. I wrote through high school, and stopped through
college. A few years ago, I took up writing again, and after dozens and dozens
of rejections from querying agents, I decided to self-publish.
2.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?
As stated above, I started writing when I was
fourteen. I just had a story I had to tell, and knew what I wanted to write
about.
3.
WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION
DO YOU DO FOR A MANUSCRIPT? DO YOU PLAN EVERYTHING FIRST OR JUST SHOOT FROM THE
HIP?
I definitely shoot from the hip. I have an
idea of what I want to write about, and just start doing it.
4.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
The creation of a story. I love fleshing out
characters and details and exploring the worlds I create. My next favorite part
of being a writer is discussing my book with a reader.
5.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
For me, it's waiting for someone to want to discuss
the book. I love to know what they think, and what parts they liked or didn't
like. I put in a lot of metaphors, polarities, nods, 'Easter eggs', etc. And I
love when people discover them. Waiting for those people is definitely the
hardest part.
6.
WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?
To this day, I am a painter at a John Deere factory
that makes hay and forage equipment (think balers). It is my hope to some day
become successful enough as a writer, that I can leave the factory and pursue a
full-time career as an author.
7.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
The
greatest achievement as a writer has to be the fact that I have 3 published
books in my name.
As far as
achievements with my novels themself; my best-selling novel is my first
published novel, Broadcasting From Heaven. My personal favorite book, however,
is my second novel, A.Solution.
8.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
A sequel to my first published book, Broadcasting From
Heaven. I have several other books queued up to be written, however. I just
need more time!
9.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
From within. I'm not really sure, otherwise. An idea
comes to me, and I feel compelled to write it out.
10.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
I have
written Inspirational, Thriller, and Fantasy. I don't plan to ever stick to one
specific genre.
11.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
Persistence is key! Don't give up! Don't make excuses!
12.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?
Absolutely not. I have tons of ideas. Time is what I
need!
13.
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?
No. I just write when I have time. I can write on the
fly.
14.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
Somewhere dark and secluded. A little white noise is
perfect. (Sounds like a good way to fall asleep...)
15.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?
Probably completing my story and hitting that
'publish' button—or holding the book in my hand. After that, it would be
putting in the little, specific details (like little secret gems) in the story
that I hope someone else appreciates.
16.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
I don't have a specific favorite, but I enjoy
Richard Elliot, Paul Thigpen, Larry Burkett, Steven King, Dan Brown, and
several others.
17.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?
When a woman said, "What you've written; people
are looking for that...", speaking of my book, Broadcasting From Heaven,
and the message of hope it has within, and the answers to questions people are
asking.
18.
WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?
I don't think I've sold enough books, yet, to have
gotten a bad compliment. That, or people are being too nice.
19.
WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR
OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
Absolutely. The basis for my first novel was inspired
by real life events. Though my life, far from tragic, has had some grueling
times, it's easily the most fun to fit the experiences into the stories in
small amounts.
20.
OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
Jesus, my Savior, and my wife and kids.
I love collecting coins, reading, and researching.
21.
DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE
PUBLICATION?
No. I did
all my own editing.
22.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
A
well-balanced day with activities, relaxation, and recreation, maybe a little
work, and definitely some reading and writing.
23.
IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD
IT BE? WHY?
Jesus
Christ. He would be a wealth of knowledge and love.
24.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD
LEADERS?
Jesus is
the only way to Heaven.
25.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Continue
writing and hope to someday become successful enough to leave the factory life.
26.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON
BOOK TRAILERS? DO THEY SELL BOOKS?
I think
it's certainly a perfectly acceptable marketing vehicle to use to sell books.
Diverse marketing is the best strategy in my opinion.
27.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?
I manifest myself in almost every character I write
about. I would say the character who is most like me in my books is Aric in
A.Solution.
28.
DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?
The
publishing industry does not. The literary agents, aka, 'The Gate Keepers'
don't either, but what they're looking for is an emerging niche that's hard to
compete with in this day and age.
29.
DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?
Absolutely
not. Though I have taken a few hiatuses.
30.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?
Without
question, A.Solution. The idea is so original. I identity with the main
character. The plot is intriguing, and has a great twist in the middle. I've
packed hidden gems or Easter eggs inside (there are a ton just in the Table of
Contents alone!) I just can't say enough about this book. I'm very, very
pleased with the way it turned out.
31.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER?
Success comes in many forms. Publishing that first (and
subsequent) novels is a success of its own, but really, success to me would be
selling enough books to be able to support my family and write full time.
32.
WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY
FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?
Each one
has a message. My first book, they should feel inspired and rejuvenated and
hopeful.
In the second book, they should remember
not to forget the past. To honor it, but look forward.
The third book, the read is an escape to a
different world. It's about personal growth and overcoming the odds (as cliché
as that sounds)
33.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR BOOKS
MADE INTO MOVIES? EVER WRITTEN A SCREENPLAY?
Yes! All three, I would love to see as movies! In my
third book, I always imagined the main character as Liam Neeson.
34.
HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO
DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?
It varies. My second
book took the most thought. It's symbolic of the story.
35.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
Again, where I sell enough books to be ale to leave my factory
job.
36.
WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING
YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?
Marketing
is a challenge. I enjoy the idea, but I'm not having much luck! I've sold most
of my books by one on one conversations. My books are not exactly flying of the
digital shelves of Amazon.
37.
ARE YOUR BOOKS SELF-PUBLISHED?
Yes!
Through Amazon. My publishing company, a subsidiary of SilverForged Enterprises
is called SilverForged Publishing.
38.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN FIVE WORDS.
Detail-oriented. Introvert. Christian. Polymath.
39.
WHAT PISSES YOU OFF MOST?
Hitting my
head on something. Pure, unbridled rage.
40.
WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE LAST
BOOK YOU READ? GOOD ONE?
My
Whorizontal Life by Sephe Haven. Good book!
41.
WHAT
WOULD BE THE VERY LAST SENTENCE YOU’D WRITE?
Ever? I don't know...that's a tough one. Pass?
42.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU HAPPIER THAN YOU ARE NOW?
CARE TO SHARE?
Got a few more minutes?
43.
ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
Thank you for reading this far! And thank you for your
time!
Clancy's comment: Thank you, David. Keep going. Best wishes.
I'm ...
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