Welcome, David. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Every writer draws on their own experiences. I’m no
different. It isn’t so much about specific characters as situations and
conversations that I’ve been in through the years. In that way, all of my
stories are autobiographical.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
There are so many, I wouldn’t even hazard a guess at the
quirkiest. My life has been strange in at least 100 ways. One of those is my
tendency to fall in love with the idea of certain powerful, but soft women. As
a Fed, there was a high-ranking DOD official who personified the powerful and
the feminine. I asked one of my staff members to get me an 8x10 glossy and put
it up in my office with a candle under it. When I was asked to arrange a
conference, I asked her (through channels) to come and speak. She accepted. My
crush on her was well known to the 50 or so managers who attended. So after she
gave the best speech I’d ever heard and finished the rubber chicken lunch, I
helped her on with her coat. One of my colleagues yelled, “Way to go Dave.” The
whole place erupted in applause.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
In junior high school, I collaborated with a friend and
produced an informal Comedy Newspaper.
The administration shut us down … but I was hooked. At Ohio State ,
I wrote for the large student newspaper as part of the Journalism curriculum. My
stories were about the police beat (rapes, murders, etc.)
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
As an adult, there is almost no book that can’t keep my
attention once I begin. My favorite author is Doris Lessing (The Grass is Singing, The Good Terrorist,
The Summer Before the Dark, If the Old Could, etc.) I read everything from
Max Lucado to Stephen King. Current favorites are Cynthia Ruchti and James
Rubart.
I love to read Max
Lucado, Cynthia Ruchti, and James Rubart. How do you keep your sanity in our
run, run, run world?
By writing a non-fiction book about it (Sabbatical of the Mind: The Journey from Anxiety to Peace.)
Available online and at select bookstores near you. But seriously folks, it is
all about Jesus. My troubles and pain pale in comparison with His love for me
and for you. It is all about focus. Do I look at my anxiety or my phobias or
His plan to love the person next to me?
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Randomly. For most of us, names have connotations from past
relationships. I pick one that fits in my mind and world.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
It is going to sound hokey, but having a part in leading
someone to Christ. It is the only thing that matters in the eternal scheme of
things. Of course, God does all the work, but it is an amazing feeling to see
someone walk from death into life.
I so agree with you.
That can give you such a spiritual high. If you were an animal, which one would
you be, and why?
This is pretty easy. I am obviously a big, slobbery Saint
Bernard. Do you want to know what’s in my keg? Do you? Do you? Diet Pepsi,
because that is what I would want if I got rescued.
What is your favorite
food?
Fajitas.
Nothing can beat
really good fajitas. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Writer’s block, but I knocked it down and ran into the End
Zone.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Avec plaisir. (In
case my readers don’t know what that means, it’s with pleasure in French.) Driver
Confessional is the story of a hard-working family man who is driving
for a ride-share company while he attends law school. His Italian good looks
and personable, Christian way encourage riders to tell him more than they
intended. On a dark night, he drives a mysterious business woman to a Senate
office building. Based on her confession and something she leaves behind in the
car, Antonio gets drawn into a murder investigation, trouble with the Russian
mob and danger from corporate henchman. While the story is completely
self-contained, most of the major characters (who survive) will be back for
Book Two in the Driver Series.
Cool. Please give us
the first page of the book.
The black American-made sedan rolled up in front of the Palm
Restaurant near the campus of George
Washington University .
The Palm was one of Washington ’s
most toney eateries, the place where the rich and powerful go to see and be
seen. As a Buber driver, Antonio enjoyed catching snatches of conversation from
these elite of Washington , DC , as he delivered or picked up passengers
here.
A few times the businessmen and women bragged of solidifying
their deals after parading their companions through Washington ’s finest and dining on truly
memorable fare. From the street, the Palm was white tablecloths and dim
lighting. Inside, the sketches of famous patrons from politicos to opera
singers are plastered on the walls.
A group of students walking home from DuPont Circle passed between the Buber
car and the entrance to the Palm. Their lively conversation and laughter lit up
the night beyond the streetlights. When they cleared his line of sight, the
driver looked up to see a very attractive woman descend the few stairs to
street level. She wore a tailored, dark business suit and a small black hat
mounted to her coiffed hair. Her eyes trained downward, she navigated the steps
as she walked. He noticed the Gucci purse and phone in her right hand, which
indicated she was probably his next Buber fare. Her thin leather briefcase indicated
the dinner at the Palm was either work related or an after-work meet-up with a
friend.
Before Anthony could get out, she opened the rear passenger-side
door.
“Antonio?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her
deep red lipstick moved rhythmically as Antonio’s moniker left her mouth. In
the Buber world, everyone is on a first-name-only basis.
“That’s right. Glynis?” She nodded. “Let me help you!”
Antonio was out of his seat and over to her side in no time. She easily slid
into the back seat, juggling her briefcase, purse, and phone. Being a man,
Antonio couldn’t help but notice Glynis’s shapely legs. He gently closed the
door behind her and hopped into the front seat.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website is www.sabbaticalofthemind.net
I have a groovy blog and everyone should sign up for my monthly missives about
important stuff like birds and God and things.
Thank you, David, for sharing this book with us. I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers are as well.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Driver Confessional (The Driver Series) (Volume 1) - PaperbackReaders, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Driver Confessional (Driver Series Book 1) - Kindle
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10 comments:
As a Church Librarian, I'm always looking for books written by men with the story-line being about a man.
If I win, this book will be going to the church library for our men readers.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
Suspense novels are my favorites! Would love to win this from a new-to-me author!
Pam in OH
Interesting premise for a book, sounds good! Thanks for the fun author interview and giveaway chance.
Trixi in OR
This sounds like it will be exciting. I do love a good suspense story.
Linda in CA
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Sounds intriguing! Enter me.
Abigail in VA
I enjoy suspense and intrigue.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
Suspense is my favorite genre and this is such a great premise. Would love to win this one!
Pam in OH
Looks good would love to win.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
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