It is an honor to have the great Dave Cleinman as a guest on my blog! Enjoy the read!
What kind of books do you write and how many have you written so far?
I have written four novels. Two published and available: Toys In The Attic, a psych thriller
and Principle Destiny, a modern fantasy/political thriller.
Two are in revision: Snowdragons and Black Blade. Sci fi and fantasy, respectively.
I have written a short how-to called The Article Marketer’s Guide
When is your next book being published?
I have a horror short called MindEater that will be available this week.
I have a teen fantasy in the works which will be available in a couple months.
When did you start writing?
When did you start writing?
I began my first novel in middle school, just after finishing The Lord of The Rings. I was thirteen and, as you might imagine, it was too much like LOTR to be much good. I have since begun to revise it, however, and once again it softly breathes.
What inspires you the most?
I am most inspired by the goodness of people. To me, the unity of spirit is what truly leads to creativity and progress. It happens so rarely, though, sometimes we need to make our own inspiration. I tend to fold it into my stories as the backdrop of the good and, even though horrible things may happen, the protagonists and their loved ones always can count on it being there.
I am also inspired by nature and its beauty. It shows up in many of my stories. I think I was spoiled growing up in the midst of it.
4. Why did you pick the genre that you currently write in, and are you currently considering writing in a different genre?
4. Why did you pick the genre that you currently write in, and are you currently considering writing in a different genre?
I actually tend to write cross-genre, although I have an affinity for literary works that lean towards light fantasy. I enjoy writing sci fi horror, psych thrillers, and reflective works. I can’t seem to settle on a single genre.
5. Tell us about your creative writing process.
Stories develop in my mind, based on what’s getting to me the most over time. The characters come first, and I build the story around them. When I first started Principle Destiny, the very first scene was an impromptu meeting between alienated sister and brother. Their conflict drove much of the development of the story.
6. Who is your favorite author, past and present, and why?
6. Who is your favorite author, past and present, and why?
JRR Tolkien remains my favorite author. His master of language has made a life-long impression on me. Presently I am reading many Indie books and they have been some of the best works I have ever read, although it’s too soon to call out a favorite.
An author wins my respect by telling a good story that flows, is realistic to its roots, and has characters that I can visualize myself having a drink and conversation with. Excellent language use is a plus, as are unexpected twists and turns.
7. Tell us, what is the central message of your current book and the target audience.
The central message in all of my books seems to be the same: never give up and fight for what you need and desire. Life is too precious to waste. The target audience for Principle Destiny is primarily readers of action/adventure and political thrillers who enjoy a female lead who is the equal of any man.
8. What do you hope your readers will walk away with after reading your book?
Enjoyment, and a desire to read more of my works. I want my readers to feel elevated and satisfied, and perhaps personally empowered to some degree.
9. If you hadn’t become an author, what do you think you would be doing now?
9. If you hadn’t become an author, what do you think you would be doing now?
I cannot say. I have worked all my life to get here.
10. If your novel made it to the big screen, what actors do you see playing the key characters?
10. If your novel made it to the big screen, what actors do you see playing the key characters?
Right now I see Katie McGrath as Princess Alyssa. Their resemblance to each other is uncanny. Prince Tobias would be played by Tom Felton, who would have to tone down the nastiness a bit, but otherwise would be a good choice. I think I would play King Jessett, as it is a small part and right up my alley. For the antagonist, Skenter, I would choose Harrison Ford, who would just make a fine villain.
11. What’s the worst experience and best experience you ever had as a writer?
11. What’s the worst experience and best experience you ever had as a writer?
Worst was my first rejection coming to me in my wife’s hands walking across the wide open driveway of our apartment complex. Best, was going Indie. That journey is just starting, and it is rapidly becoming an amazing journey.
12. Where do you see yourself in five years with your writing and your life?
I cannot say. I try not to look so far ahead. I need to focus on the present and be in the here and now.
13. Where can people find you and your books on the Internet?
You can learn more about me and my books on my blog. I can also be found on Facebook at Author David A. Cleinman, and on Twitter as David_Cleinman
I would like to invite your readers to like my Facebook author page Author David A. Cleinman. If they will leave a comment and introduce themselves and say they found me through this interview, I will give the first five a Smashwords coupon for a free copy of Principle Destiny and enter all commenters into a drawing for a SW coupon for a free copy of Toys In The Attic.
Thank you for hosting me Ashley. Can’t wait to see you on my blog!
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