David, it's great to have a fellow Dreamspell author over to the blog, and even though I have previously interviewed you, please give new blog visitors a brief bio.
Hi Susan ~ thanks so much for inviting me back. I was born in St. Paul, but once out of the hospital I've lived my entire life in Minneapolis. During the summer months when the sun is shining and birds singing, I'm perfectly content to sit in my office, with blinds drawn, typing away at my computer. My favorite day of the year is the first day I pull a flannel shirt out of the closet. After 24 years of working in the court system, I walked away to write full time. Edging past Reality is my first book of short stories. Spyder is my second novel and quite a switch from the first. While Silent Kill (first novel) is a suspense/thriller, Spyder is more of an urban adventure.
I remember interviewing you about Edging past Reality and that cover was a fainalist in my book cover contest.
What books came along at just the right time to influence your reading/writing?
Shatterday by Harlan Ellison. As for timing, I have to give a lot of credit to a couple of friends who introduced me to the book. College had sapped my creativity to write. It had been a few years and this book reignited my passion to write for pleasure again.
Please give us a short synopsis of your new book.
Spyder is a very intelligent and very street-wise punk. He realizes, in the words of Bob Dylan, the times they are a changin'. Homeless living isn't as safe as it once was. Gangs now battle for turf and don't care about who's caught in the crossfire. Once respected on the streets, now Spyder, entering into his 30s, is just another nameless victim waiting to happen. Instead he decides to clean up his act and try his hand at mainstream society. Unfortunately, 'friends' and addictions seem to block every path.
As dark as this sounds, Spyder does have a deliciously warped sense of humor and there are plenty of yuks throughout.
I like warped humor.
How has your writing progressed since your first book? Has it changed you?
For starters I'm a much better writer ~ and still learning. It's turned from a hobby to a full time job. I used to send short stories to magazines and if I was lucky enough to sell one I'd get a check big enough to let me supersize at McDonalds and that would be the end of it. When my first book came out, that opened up a whole new world I was totally unfamiliar with ~ marketing. Even after three books I still find it very uncomfortable promoting myself but it needs to be done. That part has certainly changed me by forcing me out of my comfort zone. Also, my whole attitude has changed being that I'm now doing what I love to do.
I've been through the comfort zone thing too, and I congratulate you for taking the challenge.
When do you accomplish your best writing?
It's more of a mood thing than a when thing. I write during the day usually starting around 9am and going until around 4. But on those days when the creativity is flowing, I've been known to wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and start. Or, if the creativity hits late in the day, I can go until about 2 or 3 in the morning before collapsing. I find it next to impossible to pull an all-nighter anymore (sigh).
Is there another book on the horizon?
Always. Right now I'm working on a horror novel. After that it will be the third Louise Miller suspense/thriller. The day I die there will be an (at least one) unfinished novel on my computer.
After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?
Usually veg out in front of the TV (I'm usually done for the day by the time Jeopardy starts). On those rare occasions when I've got pent up energy, I'll exercise.
Are your books available in print, ebook, and Kindle?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Where can we purchase these books and get more information about you?
If you live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, my books are available at the local libraries and most of the independent bookstores. For those not in this area, they're available online at Amazon, B&N.com and many other book ordering sites. But please feel free to go to your bookstore or library and have them order copies. If anyone wants to know more about me (and I shudder as to why anyone would) go to http://davidfingerman.com or my blog http://davidfingerman.blogspot.com/.
Ah, David, you're a delight. Thanks for another interview, and continued success, my friend.
