Non-Stop Reads: Author Interview

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Author Interview – Dean F Wilson

How has your upbringing influenced your writing? My parents bought me a computer for my 12th birthday, which helped my writing a lot. When we were picking it out the guy in the store offered us a choice between a gaming PC and one with Microsoft Word. I wanted the latter, which, in retrospect, is an unusual choice for a child.

All my life experiences, including my family life and childhood, have had a bearing on who I am, and thus has, by extension, influenced my writing in some manner.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? I was fascinated by language as a child (and still am), and when I was quite young some teachers commented on my ability to form unusual sentences. I think that was the beginning for me. I worked on many stories throughout my childhood, including my first novel when I was 11. That early experience helped me hone my craft over the years, and keep the flame of inspiration burning.

When and why did you begin writing? When I was a young child, to express who I am, communicate to the world, transform lives (in subtle, but potentially overt, ways), and simply to play with the language, with words as my toys.

How long have you been writing? I have marked 11 as my “official” beginning as a writer, as that is when I began my first novel (entitled The Power Source), which remains unpublished. However, I had been writing for some time before that, and my family assert that I started much younger. If we go by that chosen landmark, however, that would be, as of this interview, 15 years. More than half my life.

When did you first know you could be a writer? Officially, when I was 11. It was a dream, and when I set a goal, which ultimately is what every dream is, I try very hard to achieve it. Of course, a writer is someone who writes, so as soon as I did that on a regular basis, I was already a writer. Becoming a published writer was an aspiration, however, but only providing I could deliver a quality book.

What inspires you to write and why? All life’s experiences and mysteries are a source of inspiration, from the most lofty to the seemingly mundane. We live stories every day, we communicate tales on a regular basis, and we use language all the time. What I read, watch, hear, and experience all feed into the inkwell.

What genre are you most comfortable writing? Fantasy, because it is such a broad genre and allows for great creativity. I also consider it the heir of mythology, addressing a real human need to seek out answers to life’s many mysteries. It is a genre that can tell an entertaining and enthralling story on the surface, and yet deliver a potent message underneath, where everything becomes a symbol of something greater.

What inspired you to write your first book? A desire to tell a good story and a love of the craft of writing, the medium of words, and a great affinity with language.

Who or what influenced your writing over the years? All of life’s experiences have influenced my writing in some manner. I don’t think there is one defining moment, but rather a series of moments, like the individual scenes of a story.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general? Discipline. Many people talk about wanting to write a novel, but what holds them back is a lack of discipline to follow through on that aspiration. It takes a lot of time and self-motivation to write a novel, especially with all the possible distractions we have in modern life. Staying focused and determined requires great discipline, and this is a challenge even to the most seasoned of writers.

Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it? The importance of discipline and determination in pursuing a goal.