Fast 5 Friday
He shares his name with a Homeland character. He's a writer with
He pledged when he started writing to always respond to readers, and love getting comments and questions, so please contact him using one of his favorite social networking sites below. As always, happy reading!
Where you can find David Estes hanging out:
You can find David's books in paperback and eBook, ready for purchase now from Amazon and Smashwords
As you're a bit of travel junkie, which destination has given you the most inspiration when writing and why?
Ha! Travel junkie! That’s putting it lightly. My wife, Adele, and I have been travelling for 13 months now, while I write and she writes and takes photographs. We love seeing the world and all the different places we see and people we meet undoubtedly provide me with crazy-huge amounts of inspiration! Hmm, I’d say Mexico or Morocco were the most inspirational. We spent four months in Mexico and five weeks in Morocco, and saw many unique and remarkable people and places. I think they were so inspirational because they were so different than the places I’ve lived in. At every turn there was something I’d never seen before, camels and underground rivers and sandstorms and on and on, and I could see them coming to life on the pages of my books. A few new book / series ideas were spawned and the ones I was working on benefitted from the uniqueness of my surroundings. This trip has truly been an awesome experience and I hate to see it end in 2014.
You love to dance and sing (not surprising since you remind me a little of Chris Martin from Coldplay), so what would be your ultimate karaoke song, and would we need ear plugs to witness that event?
Double ha! Adele and I watch lots of dancing and singing shows and we love hosting our own dance parties (just the two of us), that typically include lots of singing. I love love love music and sing quite often, but I’m not sure if I’d ever be able to pick just one song! Maybe something by Weezer, like 'Say it Ain’t So' or 'Surf Wax America', or perhaps Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Under the Bridge'. Something from the 90s alternative rock era, when being a teenager was the ultimate freedom.
As for the earplugs, it would generally depend on the note haha! I’m not the best singer, but not the worst either, so if I’m singing a part of the song that’s in my very-narrow range, it might sound alright. But if I’m trying to hit an impossibly high falsetto note, you might want to stick your fingers in your ears!
Your lovely wife Adele shares the same name as your female heroine in your awesome Dwellers series. Are there any similarities between the two?
Funny you ask, as Adele and I were just talking about this with some friends the other day. They asked the same question! In short, no. I chose the name partly out of respect for my wife, partly because she inspires me to write, and partly because I just love the name and it felt right for the character. The Adele in the Dwellers is quite tomboy-ish, whereas my Adele is very feminine (which suits me just fine!). However, in some ways, like her spirit, loyalty to family and friends, and spunk, they are fairly similar.
If your life was being made into a movie, what would it be called and who would you want to play David Estes?
As if! Okay, I’ll bite. If, and that’s a really BIG if, by some miracle anyone ever had an interest in turning my life into a movie, it would be called The Dreamer and would star James Marsden as he does comedy really well without being over the top. And yes, my life would definitely be a comedy / drama.
And the weekly question, I love to support independent authors, do you have any words of wisdom for potential authors wanting to make the leap into writing?
My biggest advice is to do it for the right reasons; namely, because you love writing. Although it is my career and livelihood, I write because it’s my favorite thing in the world to do. Don’t expect to become the next bestseller (although you might be), don’t expect millions of readers to flock to your books (although it’s possible), and don’t do it to make a quick buck (because you probably won't!) DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF WORDS!
For those who are looking for more substantial advice for Indie authors, check out my popular blog post on Everything I Wish I Knew When I Started Writing: HERE
A special thanks to Kelly for having me on her AWESOME blog!
She's a sassy, strong female with a weakness for coffee.
She loves to read, watch movies and in her spare time, creates potty mouthed characters, paranormal beings and potential book boyfriends.She's Canadian. She's the fabulous Christina Channelle, and she's this week's Fast Five Friday.
If you could play out a character in any book besides your own, who would you want to be, and why?
I would be Haley from Chasing Forever Down. It’s by Nikki Godwin, an indie author, and I just loved it. The book was so effortless and enjoyable to read and I envied her: the opportunity to just get in a car and drive, meet new people, and explore a whole new side to life chasing her dreams. I would love to chase forever down.
Do you have a writing space set aside, and what would we find on your desk?
I don’t know if this is normal but I tend to write in my bed. I like to be comfortable and I’ll lie on my stomach or sit up against the wall, typing away on my laptop. I prefer it to writing on my desk. Right now on my desk is my desktop computer, an old Blackberry I hardly ever use, my wallet, a purple pen, a green ruler, and a slew of papers I need to go through. Usually my desk is neat but it’s just one of those days.
The soon to be released, Those Four Letter Words, is an emotional read. What or who inspired you to create a sassy, strong and smart character like Jade, the female protagonist?
I specifically remember lying on my bed studying for an upcoming exam. I was definitely not in the mood and was a little annoyed, to be honest. Instead of studying, my mind drifted off, creating this potty-mouth character that was just annoyed at the current situation in her life. And poof, Those Four Letter Words was created. I didn’t know exactly where the story would go; I just let my fingers type away. I have to admit, this was probably the most effortless story I’d written. It just came to me. My protagonist was named Jade after my favourite color, green. I try to implement the colour in most of my stories, just a thing of mine I like to do.
When you’re not writing, what could we find you doing in your spare leisure time?
When I’m not writing and focusing on my books, I am definitely reading, as that’s where my love for writing came from. I am also a lover of movies so I tend to occupy a seat in a movie theatre quite regularly. And I’ll admit to being a reality TV addict; I can’t help it.
As an independent author with success under your belt, what words of advice would you give potential authors that are wanting to self publish?
The fact that I self-published a book is, yes, a great success. It’s an achievement that no one can take away from you. If writing is your passion and something that you love to do, don’t give up. It’s a lot of work with obstacles to overcome and learning curves, but it’s the most enjoyable of feelings. That first book you self-publish is such a triumph because it’s something that you created. So stop thinking about it, and saying that you’re going to “do it eventually,” and just do it period.
He's witty, sarcastic and a self confessed nerd. He hasn't won any awards, but he does have a deep knowledge of Transformers, Star Trek, and The Twilight Zone - his top three geeky loves. He writes because he loves stories and hopes to one day have written something successful as a movie, TV show, comic, book, magazine, and play.
Marc Johnson also loves to game, whether it be video, card, or board. He loves to test his mind in the challenges they bring... Until the zombie, alien, or robot apocalypse comes...
And he's this week's Fast Five Friday.
You can contact Marc via Goodreads Marc's Website Facebook and Twitter
Catalyst is available now via Amazon and Smashwords
What inspired you to create a character like Hellsfire from your epic fantasy series, The Passage of Hellsfire?
I would say a lot of things inspired me. I first got the idea from a dream I had so that would be my biggest influence. But I think for a character like Hellsfire, it’d have to be 80s movies.
I grew up on 80s movies, and that was the best time for cinema. One of the main reasons I love those movies is that they have characters who don’t give up even though a lot of things get piled up on them. So I had to include that as the most important trait in Hellsfire. He doesn’t give up and will always try to do the right thing even though he fails or makes things worse.
What are three little known facts about yourself, that you'd be worried to tell your mother?
I’m not entirely sure what my mother would be worried about. She’s probably worried that at this rate, I’m never going to get married or have kids. That’s because as much as I try, all the good women are taken.
In any case, one little known fact about me is that I constantly look into an imaginative camera when I find things a little off and unbelievable that someone just said that, as in “a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich.” I do it way too much. I’m not Jim or Eddie Murphy and I’m pretty sure there are no cameras around, but it’s bloody fun.
You're a proud and self described geek, what three gadgets could you not live without?
My iPod because I love my music and podcasts and also play a ton of games on it. My Kindle because I love to read. Lastly, my computer because I have to have some kind of machine to write on, watch TV, and of course, look at porn.
At which point in your life do you remember thinking, I'm going to become a writer?
When I was a kid, aside from watching violently entertaining, humorous, yet thought provoking, 80s movies, I also read a lot. I read books from Roald Dahl, Brian Jacques’s Redwall series, Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School, and a whole mess of other great authors. My love for those stories eventually made me try a hand at my own story.
I remember writing one of my first stories and while it was a blatant The Adventures of Milo & Otis rip-off, I enjoyed the feeling it gave me afterwards. I always try to capture that feeling after creating a story from the recesses of my twisted and weird mind.
And the weekly question, I love to support independent and debut novelists, do you have any words of wisdom for potential authors wanting to make the leap into writing?
Start saving your money NOW! If you going the indie route, you’re going to need money for editors and graphic designers. If you go the traditional route, you’re going to need money for postage, envelopes, ink and paper. Either way, you’ll need cash and lots of it so it’s best to start saving now.
I had the privilege to read an advanced copy of Australian author Gracie MacGregor's debut novel last month, Hearts on Hold, and wanted to interview Gracie as my first author.
You can find more information on Gracie by visiting:
What was the first book that you ever remember reading?
I know it wasn't the first (my wonderful parents read to me from my earliest days, so important for children) but the first I remember reading myself was Anna Sewell's Black Beauty. I was 6 or 7, absolutely horse-mad, and that book broke my heart. I so much hated what happened to Beauty's friend Ginger that I rewrote the story, in an old school exercise book. My parents were so proud, they took it to show my school teacher, Mr Ashburn. Unfortunately, I had an enormous crush on Mr Ashburn, and in the contrary way of shy little girls, was so embarrassed by the attention that I destroyed my very first manuscript. But I still have that original, careworn copy of Anna Sewell's beautiful book.
You're having a fabulous dinner party, which five authors (living or deceased) would you invite?
Five is really tough. I have some wonderful author friends, so I'm going to assume they know I love having dinner with them any time!
Dorothy Dunnett, the most amazing historical fiction author who ever wrote (a big call, I know, but if you haven't discovered her Lymond Chronicles, you are missing out on the greatest treat of your life).
Jane Austen, because I think even today she could still teach me a thing or two about gender politics.
Pablo Neruda (do poets count? Please let them count!) because he'd persuade every woman at the party she was desperately desirable, regardless of bad-hair days or the effects of a second helping of dessert.
Nora Ephron. I'm desperately sad she's gone, because her writing always filled me with joy and inspired me to try to be smarter, always smarter, more observant and more truthful.
Ian McEwan. I'm not sure he needs any further explanation!
(And if poets DON'T count, JK Rowling, because I admire a mind that can create that sort of magic, and would hope proximity might help a little of the magic rub off on me!)
What was the inspiration behind your debut novel, Hearts on Hold?
I was very lucky to spend a couple of weeks one summer holidaying in Xlendi on Gozo where the novel is set (do other readers do this? I was actually retracing a few of the footsteps of Dorothy Dunnett's Francis Lymond! Please don't call me obsessed, at least not to my face). The whole Maltese archipelago is such a wonderful combination of old and new, of Christian and Moorish, and this is particularly true of Gozo. I started to think about how traditions and cultures remain and adapt over time, and how quickly and brutally our modern world can sometimes force change. I thought Xlendi would be an ideal bolt-hole, if a bolt-hole was needed. And I imagined Cate one morning up on the headland after a run, and the story just took off after her.
Other than professor Blackshaw, which male protagonist from any other novel, could sweep you off your feet any day?
I'm afraid I'm very easily swept! But my current favourite is Jamie Fraser, from Diana Gabaldon's brilliant Outlander series.
I love to support independent and debut novelists, do you have any words of wisdom for potential authors wanting to make the leap into writing?
Thanks very much for the support, it really makes a huge difference! The key for me (and I'm by no means the first to say it, we all stand on the shoulders of the giants who wrote before us) is to finish. Finish something. Pick the best of the half-written manuscripts under your bed or the half-formed ideas in your head, and write until it's finished. Finishing Hearts on Hold gave me an enormous sense of achievement, even knowing it needed a massive amount of work, and that spurred me on to DO the work of rewriting, to make it the best I could make it. Before, I'd been a terrible tweaker - I had (still have) four or five bits of manuscripts whose first and second and third chapters I would endlessly "edit", but the secret is in finishing the first draft. It's fine to tell yourself it's just a vomit draft, if that takes the pressure off as you write, but just finish it.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia, romantics can win an eCopy of Gracie's novel, Hearts on Hold.
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