Hello again my Lovelies!
Today, I have a special treat for you all.
YA Fantasy author David Berger is here!
YA Fantasy author David Berger is here!
MTKW: Hi David and
welcome to My Twisted & Kinky World! It’s wonderful to have you here!
David: Hey
Brenda! Thanks for having me. And there’s nothing wrong with a little kink,
right?
MTKW: Not at all!!
Now, for my
readers who may not know, I met David a few years ago. We frequent a lot of the
same conventions here in Florida even though we write vastly different books! I wanted to introduce David to the rest of you
because even though our genres are different, I know some of you will enjoy
what he writes! So, let’s get started!!
Growing up, who was your favorite author?
Interestingly enough, I didn't have a favorite author, but rather a favorite genre: science fiction/fantasy. Like most geeks, I was a huge fan of J. R. R. Tolkien, David Eddings, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Isaac Asimov.
MTKW: Oh, I love David & Leigh Eddings. They live here in Florida too!
What writer gives you the most inspiration and/or which one do you aspire to be like?
I think I would have to say Neil Gaiman. Not only does he write stories that encompass the genre I love so much, but also his writing style just has that ability to capture my attention and keep me reading. I find myself caught up in novels like American Gods or Anansi Boys, and more recently, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, because he infuses his stories with mythology, either stated or implied, and that’s the genre I write. There’s a magic I find in his work that I would hope to put into mine.
How did you figure out you wanted to be an author?
I've known I wanted to write stories ever since I was a kid, but it wasn't until I was almost 40 when I was getting pressure from my family to publish the novel they kept hearing about. I hadn't really thought about it, since I wasn't done writing it, but I made the decision to finish the manuscript. A friend of mine published his novel and, when I asked how he got it published, he told me he had gone through CreateSpace, a print-on-demand service through Amazon. It was then when I realized that my novel could be available for others. I had thought about traditional publishing, but by the time I was ready to do this (at 45), I didn't think I wanted to endure the slew of rejection letters I’d receive from agents and publishers. I never really wanted to make money as a writer; I just wanted to get my stories out into the world for people to enjoy.
MTKW: Getting the stories out is the best reason to become an author. If a writer is hoping to get rich, it likely isn't going to happen. The phrase 'don't quit your day job' really applies to those of us who write.
What was the first piece you ever wrote?
The first one I remember writing (since I am sure I wrote before this) was a Smurf story that my sister and I worked on. I was probably ten or eleven at the time. I have a few short pieces from junior high and high school in my files, but the one I credit for where I am now was a short story called “The Olympus Corps.” which became the novel series I’m writing now.
MTKW: Oh, I really love that name!
How much of what you write is based on personal experience?
Aside from human nature and interpersonal relationships, not much since my characters live in the mythic fantasy world. I don’t really incorporate myself into my characters, so my main character isn’t anything like me.
Do you have any rituals involving your writing? Before/during/after?
Well, not consistently. As a teacher, I have to squeeze time to write when I can, so I can’t devote the same time every day to it. When I do plan a writing session, I tend to light a candle nearby. I know some writers like to wear certain clothing or eat certain foods or even set a specific time of day, but my schedule just doesn’t allow for it. When I’m ready to write, I just set out to do it.
MTKW: I am that way somewhat but I don't write everyday. I don't think my liver could handle it! *grin*
What is your writing process?
With book #1, Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance, I was a sequential plotter mixed with a little “pantser”. That seemed to work best for that novel. With Memory’s Curse, book #2 in the series, I wrote scenes as they came to me, arranging them as necessary. With book #3, The Liar’s Prophecy, I’m going back to plotting, but I do find my outline becomes more of a springboard for things I hadn’t thought about earlier. With all three books, I did extensive amounts of research into mythology as well as locations all over the world. If I’m going to set a scene in Indianapolis or Litokhoro, Greece, I want street names and visuals.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you? And how have you overcome it?
Editing while I wrote was my kryptonite in book #1. That’s probably why it took me about 25 years to finish and publish it. Now, the hardest part is finding time to write and also promoting my work. I don’t think you ever truly overcome the time issue; it’s just something you deal with. With promoting, I’m learning how to be better at it all the time.
Are you able to write full time? Is that your ambition or something you want to keep on the side?
I’m a teacher, and that’s my life’s passion. I’ll do it until they have to drag my cold, dead body from my classroom. But, writing is also a passion now. If I didn’t have teaching, I might consider writing full time, but I’m not sure I’m good enough to make a living off it. I’ll write until I can’t do it anymore. It’ll never be a side thing, but rather something more parallel with my teaching. The more I write, the better I am at teaching it, I think. Process is something young writers don’t fully grasp, but when they see their teacher also battles the same issues, they feel better that it’s not just something they do by themselves.
Do you as an author concentrate on one genre? Or do you feel like you should try to find your voice among the genres?
I focus on mythic fantasy, but I have written two short stories that were in an LGBTQ anthology, NewYears to Christmas: 15 Queer Holiday Tales, and were about Aaron and Jason, two gay Jewish men who meet and fall in love. When I have more time to think about them, I might write a novel, and it’ll be real world, not fantasy. Beyond that, I don’t want to write other genres since I don’t think I could put my passion into them as much.
Have you ever based a character on a friend or enemy?
Actually, no, I haven’t. Book #3 might change that, but I’m still working out the plot for it. It’s hard to choose which people to include without upsetting others, so if I do it, I’d only tell those people.
If you had to name one character you have written that was the most like you, which character in which book would that be?
Great question! But, there isn’t any. I don’t have any character that’s especially like me. I do have someone who’s a teacher, but that’s about it. I’m not the model for people because I want to create people from scratch. Besides, if I based a character on me, and people started to like him, I’d have a hard time killing him off.
How do you feel when you finish a book?
When I finish writing a book (including all the editing), I feel a sense of completion, but it’s not until I hold the published work in my hand, cover and all, that I get emotional. With Finding Balance, when I held the first copy in my hand, I cried. After all, it was the closest I could feel to giving birth after carrying my “baby” for 25 years. With Memory’s Curse, I just felt proud, since I had the makings of a series.
How long of a break do you take between books?
Not long at all. I was writing book #2 in my head as I was finishing book #1. The same with book #3—I knew plot ideas before I’d finished book #2. A long break would squelch my desire, and I don’t want to have another 25 year gap on my hands.
How do you react to a bad review of your work?
Some people like what I write, but occasionally some don’t. You can’t please everyone. With reviews that are unfavorable, I just accept them and move forward. Sometimes, the reviewer has some really good constructive criticism, so I take that into consideration when I write.
Have you ever been tempted to give up writing?
Not at all. Even if I stopped publishing, I’d still write. It’s a part of who I am like my arm or my eyes.
What is the best thing about being a writer?
Being about to be creative in any way I want. I have no limits. With fantasy, I can take an idea from mythology and make it my own. That’s what keeps me doing it.
What kind of travel do you do concerning your books?
None, actually, as far as research. I’d love to get over to Greece to see the ruins of temples or the landscape that I describe, but it’s a bit expensive. I do travel to conventions to promote my work, however. I've done mostly Florida conventions, but I do one in L.A. called Bent-Con which focuses primarily on LGBTQ creators, writers, and artists.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Reading, running, at the gym, mostly. The rest of my time is grading papers or writing lesson plans.
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you? Growing up, who was your favorite author?
Interestingly enough, I didn't have a favorite author, but rather a favorite genre: science fiction/fantasy. Like most geeks, I was a huge fan of J. R. R. Tolkien, David Eddings, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Isaac Asimov.
MTKW: Oh, I love David & Leigh Eddings. They live here in Florida too!
What writer gives you the most inspiration and/or which one do you aspire to be like?
I think I would have to say Neil Gaiman. Not only does he write stories that encompass the genre I love so much, but also his writing style just has that ability to capture my attention and keep me reading. I find myself caught up in novels like American Gods or Anansi Boys, and more recently, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, because he infuses his stories with mythology, either stated or implied, and that’s the genre I write. There’s a magic I find in his work that I would hope to put into mine.
How did you figure out you wanted to be an author?
I've known I wanted to write stories ever since I was a kid, but it wasn't until I was almost 40 when I was getting pressure from my family to publish the novel they kept hearing about. I hadn't really thought about it, since I wasn't done writing it, but I made the decision to finish the manuscript. A friend of mine published his novel and, when I asked how he got it published, he told me he had gone through CreateSpace, a print-on-demand service through Amazon. It was then when I realized that my novel could be available for others. I had thought about traditional publishing, but by the time I was ready to do this (at 45), I didn't think I wanted to endure the slew of rejection letters I’d receive from agents and publishers. I never really wanted to make money as a writer; I just wanted to get my stories out into the world for people to enjoy.
MTKW: Getting the stories out is the best reason to become an author. If a writer is hoping to get rich, it likely isn't going to happen. The phrase 'don't quit your day job' really applies to those of us who write.
What was the first piece you ever wrote?
The first one I remember writing (since I am sure I wrote before this) was a Smurf story that my sister and I worked on. I was probably ten or eleven at the time. I have a few short pieces from junior high and high school in my files, but the one I credit for where I am now was a short story called “The Olympus Corps.” which became the novel series I’m writing now.
MTKW: Oh, I really love that name!
How much of what you write is based on personal experience?
Aside from human nature and interpersonal relationships, not much since my characters live in the mythic fantasy world. I don’t really incorporate myself into my characters, so my main character isn’t anything like me.
Do you have any rituals involving your writing? Before/during/after?
Well, not consistently. As a teacher, I have to squeeze time to write when I can, so I can’t devote the same time every day to it. When I do plan a writing session, I tend to light a candle nearby. I know some writers like to wear certain clothing or eat certain foods or even set a specific time of day, but my schedule just doesn’t allow for it. When I’m ready to write, I just set out to do it.
MTKW: I am that way somewhat but I don't write everyday. I don't think my liver could handle it! *grin*
What is your writing process?
With book #1, Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance, I was a sequential plotter mixed with a little “pantser”. That seemed to work best for that novel. With Memory’s Curse, book #2 in the series, I wrote scenes as they came to me, arranging them as necessary. With book #3, The Liar’s Prophecy, I’m going back to plotting, but I do find my outline becomes more of a springboard for things I hadn’t thought about earlier. With all three books, I did extensive amounts of research into mythology as well as locations all over the world. If I’m going to set a scene in Indianapolis or Litokhoro, Greece, I want street names and visuals.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you? And how have you overcome it?
Editing while I wrote was my kryptonite in book #1. That’s probably why it took me about 25 years to finish and publish it. Now, the hardest part is finding time to write and also promoting my work. I don’t think you ever truly overcome the time issue; it’s just something you deal with. With promoting, I’m learning how to be better at it all the time.
Are you able to write full time? Is that your ambition or something you want to keep on the side?
I’m a teacher, and that’s my life’s passion. I’ll do it until they have to drag my cold, dead body from my classroom. But, writing is also a passion now. If I didn’t have teaching, I might consider writing full time, but I’m not sure I’m good enough to make a living off it. I’ll write until I can’t do it anymore. It’ll never be a side thing, but rather something more parallel with my teaching. The more I write, the better I am at teaching it, I think. Process is something young writers don’t fully grasp, but when they see their teacher also battles the same issues, they feel better that it’s not just something they do by themselves.
Do you as an author concentrate on one genre? Or do you feel like you should try to find your voice among the genres?
I focus on mythic fantasy, but I have written two short stories that were in an LGBTQ anthology, NewYears to Christmas: 15 Queer Holiday Tales, and were about Aaron and Jason, two gay Jewish men who meet and fall in love. When I have more time to think about them, I might write a novel, and it’ll be real world, not fantasy. Beyond that, I don’t want to write other genres since I don’t think I could put my passion into them as much.
Have you ever based a character on a friend or enemy?
Actually, no, I haven’t. Book #3 might change that, but I’m still working out the plot for it. It’s hard to choose which people to include without upsetting others, so if I do it, I’d only tell those people.
If you had to name one character you have written that was the most like you, which character in which book would that be?
Great question! But, there isn’t any. I don’t have any character that’s especially like me. I do have someone who’s a teacher, but that’s about it. I’m not the model for people because I want to create people from scratch. Besides, if I based a character on me, and people started to like him, I’d have a hard time killing him off.
How do you feel when you finish a book?
When I finish writing a book (including all the editing), I feel a sense of completion, but it’s not until I hold the published work in my hand, cover and all, that I get emotional. With Finding Balance, when I held the first copy in my hand, I cried. After all, it was the closest I could feel to giving birth after carrying my “baby” for 25 years. With Memory’s Curse, I just felt proud, since I had the makings of a series.
How long of a break do you take between books?
Not long at all. I was writing book #2 in my head as I was finishing book #1. The same with book #3—I knew plot ideas before I’d finished book #2. A long break would squelch my desire, and I don’t want to have another 25 year gap on my hands.
How do you react to a bad review of your work?
Some people like what I write, but occasionally some don’t. You can’t please everyone. With reviews that are unfavorable, I just accept them and move forward. Sometimes, the reviewer has some really good constructive criticism, so I take that into consideration when I write.
Have you ever been tempted to give up writing?
Not at all. Even if I stopped publishing, I’d still write. It’s a part of who I am like my arm or my eyes.
What is the best thing about being a writer?
Being about to be creative in any way I want. I have no limits. With fantasy, I can take an idea from mythology and make it my own. That’s what keeps me doing it.
What kind of travel do you do concerning your books?
None, actually, as far as research. I’d love to get over to Greece to see the ruins of temples or the landscape that I describe, but it’s a bit expensive. I do travel to conventions to promote my work, however. I've done mostly Florida conventions, but I do one in L.A. called Bent-Con which focuses primarily on LGBTQ creators, writers, and artists.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Reading, running, at the gym, mostly. The rest of my time is grading papers or writing lesson plans.
Hmm. Well, I've appeared in a Wonder Woman comic on two occasions. One was in a museum scene where my face appeared in a portrait on the wall. The other was an idea I had suggested to Gail Simone, the then-writer of the book, and it showed up in her last issue. It was a surprise to me until I read it in the book.
MTKW: That is very cool! Not many people become immortalized in a comic!
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Being a gay writer, I thought it important to include some gay characters who are normal, everyday guys in love. So many times, writers marginalize gay characters by killing them off, turning them into villains, or making them into campy personalities. In Memory’s Curse, the main hero, Dan, is gay, and he has a boyfriend, Ari, who plays a significant role. It’s not a gay novel, but it just so happens to have gay characters, just like the world around us just so happens to have a diverse population. There’s no sex in the book, though. I’ll leave that for you to write!
MTKW: *grin* Yes, I do enjoy writing about my boys in interesting positions!
Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Readers can find out more about me and the books at my website, www.davidbergerbooks.com, as well as on Amazon.
MTKW: I also know you have a page for the series and on Facebook. Oh, and we can't forget Goodreads and Twitter!
MTKW: Thanks again for stopping by David. It was a pleasure having you!
MTKW: Yes it was and ditto on seeing you sometime soon!
Well, that is all for today my sweets! I hope you enjoyed getting to know David and will check out his novels. Don't let the YA keep you adult readers away. If you love Fantasy, then you are sure to enjoy Task Force Gaea!
What a great interview! Love hearing about the process :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Cyn :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I'm enjoying David's books now. Little treats is give myself when I can work in a reading break.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete