"The notion that such persons are gay of heart and carefree is curiously untrue. They lead, as a matter of fact, an existence of jumpiness and apprehension. They sit on the edge of the chair of Literature. In the house of Life they have the feeling that they have never taken off their overcoats."
- James Thurber, My Life and Hard Times

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Be nice, everyone. David Hesler's our guest today.

As part of my scheme to take over the world generate interest in my books, I've been trolling both Kindle Boards and Kindle discussion groups on Amazon. I met a lovely man, L. David Hesler, who is attempting to do the same... I think. Either take over the world or generate interest in his books. He writes fantasy/horror, so I told him to feel free to write about his genre, as it would expose my readers to something new. Instead, he chose to write about writing, which is also wonderful, because I love to read other writers' thoughts on why we do this crazy thing called story telling. 

Take it away, David:

* * * * * *

Blogging.


I'm no good at it, so let's get that out of the way. Reading a blog post by me is like going to see a blockbuster at the movie theater: you have to lower your expectations enough so that you can come out saying, "Well, those actors certainly were great at breathing!"


I want to thank Gayle for this opportunity. Though I don't know why she was kind enough to ask me to write a guest post for her blog, I am here to honor her request. And one word of caution: just because I tend to write horror doesn't mean I'm a navel-gazing Goth who likes rainy days and graveyards. I prefer to stare at my navel on sunny days.


What I offer you today are three reasons I choose to write (none of which, despite what many would argue, involve clinical insanity).


3) I will never be a doctor or lawyer.


As a kid, I was lucky to have parents who never hoped I would someday pull organs out of abdomens or send rapists to prisons. They never said, "We want you to be a *insert occupation here* when you grow up." Some might suggest this means my parents had low expectations of me. To that I say, "Could be."


I tend to believe, however, that they knew I was the creative type. I was the kid who, while suffering through Cub Scouts, wished there was a badge for making comic books.


Impractical? Maybe. Fun? You bet your biscuits.


So my parents always encouraged me to do the things I liked (within reason). I didn't like blood and judges always frightened me. But, man-oh-man, did I love making up stories.


2) I enjoy being godlike.


That sentence could get me in trouble, so let me explain. I embrace the omnipotent nature of authorship. Since I'm the creative type, I enjoy world-building. I get tickled when I create a character who could seemingly step off the page and shake my hand (or, punch me in the face). I take great pride in developing towns that somehow merge all the best and worst of the places I've lived.


And isn't it wonderful that I can plot a sequence of events simply with my imagination? Or, I can press the backspace key and destroy worlds on a whim. It makes me kind of warm inside.


To be honest, I find it fascinating that I, as an author, control the fates of so many made-up people and places. Though, the more I think about this, the more certain I am that a therapist could retire from my sessions alone.


1) Creativity is my oxygen.


When I don't create, it feels like my brain gets the flu. I don't think straight, I get anxious and my mind aches. If I get caught up in something that keeps me from creating, then I turn into Debby Downer's burly older brother. On these occasions, you can call me Daryl.


I think most creative people feel this way. The artist's mind is like a spiritual lung and it breathes by creating. Fine, in my case, the spiritual lung wheezes and makes occasional bubbling noises. But as long as it's at least breathing, and I'm doing something creative, life is good.


And nothing fills my spiritual lung as much as writing some heart-stopping fiction.


* * * * * * *

Gayle again: Great post, David, although I'm envious that you get to play God in your fantasy worlds. My characters often refuse to do as I've asked, and make me re-write my plot instead.

You can stalk follow David on his blog, http://www.ldavidhesler.blogspot.com/, which also has links to join him on Facebook and Twitter.

Prismatica Description:

1993 - Michael Duncan is a rural police officer. He meets a mysterious young girl during a routine search and rescue mission in the woods of Soldier Creek, a haunted stream on the outskirts of Mason's Post, Missouri. His encounter with this tortured girl has consequences that reach nearly twenty years into the future, when a madman possessed by something dark and primal threatens to tear apart a family... and the fabric of reality itself. As Michael's story unfolds in four different sections, the mystery only becomes more maddening. Why was he chosen? And where will he go when he's fulfilled his destiny?
 

Are you curious to know more? Find it here:

 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Prismatica-ebook/dp/B004SHEWSC


Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Prismatica/L-David-Hesler/e/2940011262821


Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/48669

Also available on iBooks.

10 comments:

L. David Hesler said...

I had no idea you were seeking world domination, too, Gayle. If there's competition, I may have to reconsider my options. Confrontation is not my thing.

Also, thanks for this opportunity! The blog-swap was a blast.

Gayle Carline said...

Don't let our constant search for cute shoes and jeans that fit fool you, David. All women are plotting to take over the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed your post, and thanks for the opportunity to prattle on at your home base. When people ask me for any good fantasy/horror books, I know what to recommend now!

Gabriella said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gabriella said...

"Blogging.
I'm no good at it, so let's get that out of the way. Reading a blog post by me is like going to see a blockbuster at the movie theater: you have to lower your expectations enough so that you can come out saying, "Well, those actors certainly were great at breathing!"

This is sooo not true! Your posts are always fun to read. I just started reading your book...I will only read it at home in fear of peeing my pants. I get scared easily.
I deleted this the 1st time because I forgot to add that I just purchased Gayle's book. Look forward to reading this too!

Gayle Carline said...

Gabriella - thank you for your support, and I'm so glad you stopped by for a quick comment. Deleting comments must be the common theme today. You're not the first!

And I agree - David is much too modest about his ability to write a blog post.

Gabriella said...

My deletion is right above my posted post. *L* I just wanted you to know that I had gotten your book but had forgotten to mention it. I loved Erma Bombeck when I was younger!
I'm really glad you 2 did this blog swap. It's a great way for readers like me to find authors like you.

L. David Hesler said...

The jeans and shoes are simply going to help clothe your army, right Gayle?

Gabriella, thanks for swinging by Gayle's blog today! And thanks for being such a great supporter of indie authors. We do appreciate the loyalty.

And please don't pee yourself. But if you do... mention it in a review. That might be great press!

Gayle Carline said...

I read an interview once of Stephen King where he said, although he would not wish it on anybody, the ultimate compliment any reader could pay him is if one of his books scared them TO DEATH. Pant wetting should be on the top ten list, at least.

Enid Wilson said...

I like the way you do the reverse listing. It's interesting to be different. How do you find participating Kindle/Amazon boards?

Really Angelic

Gayle Carline said...

Thanks, Enid. I'm loving this cross-pollination blogging. I wish I had someone at least once a week to do this.

I confess, I like Kindle Boards more, only because it's moderated, so they don't allow the kind of all-out-snark-wars that can take over some Amazon discussions. On the Amazon site, I mostly just lurk, and insert a reply when I think it's safe. But I met David there, who is a peach, and yesterday I met a lovely woman who bought my book. She's a writer, so I may try to cross-blog with her.

If you want to do something on my blog, I'd be more than happy to pencil you in!

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