Interview with Daniel Patrick O`Rourke - author of "Unknown Roads"
Book: Unknown Roads on AMAZON
Websites: http://authordanielorourke.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dpofreelancewriting
Twitter: @DanielORourke10
TS: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
DPO’R: When I was very young, but I didn’t start really writing until I was about 12.
TS: How long does it take you to write?
DPO’R: It depends on what kind of mood I am in. On a good day, I can write 10,000 words in a couple hours.
TS: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
DPO’R: I do most of my writing at night, usually late and after Midnight.
TS: When did you write your first book and how old were you?
DPO’R: I was 14 years old. I am not sure what it was called. I think I named it Acilatem. It was about a Sorceress who had scattered these magic crystals around the Earth and these kids had discovered one and got drawn into her world.
TS: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
DPO’R: Playing with my four sons, reading, fishing, camping, exercise…stuff like that.
TS: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your writings?
DPO’R: That the characters create themselves. It is like magic.
TS: Can you tell me a little bit about your main characters?
DPO’R: They vary. Some are men, some are women, the Good Guys, Bad Guys, and in between. They are all different ages, backgrounds, etc. One thing they all have in common is that they are unique. It is really important to me to have good characters that are not cardboard, generic, and cliché.
TS: Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?
DPO’R: I do. So far, they love the book and I have very positive reviews. A couple of constructive critiques is that some of the stories were too dark for their taste, but that it was well written and definitely had the effect on them that I was aiming for, which is to creep the reader out. I like to get scared, you know, when I am reading a book late at night or when camping and the wind kicks up or something goes bump in the night. That is the sign of a good book to me. If I jump because someone gets up to go bathroom, then it is a good book.
TS: What do you think makes a good story?
DPO’R: Believable characters, strong plot, strong dialogue. No cheesy, overdone, cliché stuff, strong back stories and sub-plots.
TS: Can you tell me something about self publishing? Is it the way a new author should go? Or is this an unknown road? :)
DPO’R: That is funny and clever. I think it is a way to start out, but eventually you will want to get the attention of an agent and a publisher. You need to protect your books and ideas, and while writing isn’t all about the money, it is partially about the money. If you want to write full time and do what you love for a living, then you have to get paid to do it.
TS: What is your favorite book & movie genre?
DPO’R: Horror/suspense/science fiction.
TS: Can you tell me a little bit about the story of your book “Unknown Roads”?
DPO’R: It is a collection of short stories written in different genres and the blending of genres, predominantly horror/science fiction/dark fantasy. The stories in it were written over the last 3-4 years and they have a subtle theme and connection to each other, though they are all very different.
TS: Do you have already a new idea in your mind? If yes, will it be a series of stories or a whole novel with one main story?
DPO’R: I have things written, whole books, from years ago and new material. I am always thinking and writing new stories and ideas down. Some will be full, single story novels, some will be more short story collections, and some will be in series.
TS: Where do you get your ideas for your writings? What is your inspiration?
DPO’R: I’m still not sure where they come from. They are just there.
TS: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
DPO’R: I wanted to be a United States Marine, like my dad, which I became, but I always wanted to be a writer.
TS: Thank you so much for the interview Daniel! It was a pleasure for me and I enjoyed reading your answers! I wish you all the best and good luck with your future projects and of course "Unknown Roads"
Websites: http://authordanielorourke.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dpofreelancewriting
Twitter: @DanielORourke10
TS: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
DPO’R: When I was very young, but I didn’t start really writing until I was about 12.
TS: How long does it take you to write?
DPO’R: It depends on what kind of mood I am in. On a good day, I can write 10,000 words in a couple hours.
TS: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
DPO’R: I do most of my writing at night, usually late and after Midnight.
TS: When did you write your first book and how old were you?
DPO’R: I was 14 years old. I am not sure what it was called. I think I named it Acilatem. It was about a Sorceress who had scattered these magic crystals around the Earth and these kids had discovered one and got drawn into her world.
TS: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
DPO’R: Playing with my four sons, reading, fishing, camping, exercise…stuff like that.
TS: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your writings?
DPO’R: That the characters create themselves. It is like magic.
TS: Can you tell me a little bit about your main characters?
DPO’R: They vary. Some are men, some are women, the Good Guys, Bad Guys, and in between. They are all different ages, backgrounds, etc. One thing they all have in common is that they are unique. It is really important to me to have good characters that are not cardboard, generic, and cliché.
TS: Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?
DPO’R: I do. So far, they love the book and I have very positive reviews. A couple of constructive critiques is that some of the stories were too dark for their taste, but that it was well written and definitely had the effect on them that I was aiming for, which is to creep the reader out. I like to get scared, you know, when I am reading a book late at night or when camping and the wind kicks up or something goes bump in the night. That is the sign of a good book to me. If I jump because someone gets up to go bathroom, then it is a good book.
TS: What do you think makes a good story?
DPO’R: Believable characters, strong plot, strong dialogue. No cheesy, overdone, cliché stuff, strong back stories and sub-plots.
TS: Can you tell me something about self publishing? Is it the way a new author should go? Or is this an unknown road? :)
DPO’R: That is funny and clever. I think it is a way to start out, but eventually you will want to get the attention of an agent and a publisher. You need to protect your books and ideas, and while writing isn’t all about the money, it is partially about the money. If you want to write full time and do what you love for a living, then you have to get paid to do it.
TS: What is your favorite book & movie genre?
DPO’R: Horror/suspense/science fiction.
TS: Can you tell me a little bit about the story of your book “Unknown Roads”?
DPO’R: It is a collection of short stories written in different genres and the blending of genres, predominantly horror/science fiction/dark fantasy. The stories in it were written over the last 3-4 years and they have a subtle theme and connection to each other, though they are all very different.
TS: Do you have already a new idea in your mind? If yes, will it be a series of stories or a whole novel with one main story?
DPO’R: I have things written, whole books, from years ago and new material. I am always thinking and writing new stories and ideas down. Some will be full, single story novels, some will be more short story collections, and some will be in series.
TS: Where do you get your ideas for your writings? What is your inspiration?
DPO’R: I’m still not sure where they come from. They are just there.
TS: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
DPO’R: I wanted to be a United States Marine, like my dad, which I became, but I always wanted to be a writer.
TS: Thank you so much for the interview Daniel! It was a pleasure for me and I enjoyed reading your answers! I wish you all the best and good luck with your future projects and of course "Unknown Roads"
