Interview with David Green
Good morning, ya’ll! I’m back today with a new author interview for you! We’re talking with David Green. David Green is a fantasy author, but he also dabbles in other genres such as horror and sci-fi. Most authors prefer to stay within one genre. Mainly because it can be difficult to switch up writing styles on a whim, but David is different. He looks at writing in multiple genres as a challenge. A challenge he is definitely winning at since his books stand out because of it. Not only are his books fun to read, but David is also a fun guy to get to know. We immediately connected over our shared love of fantasy books and how hard it is for either of us to choose a favorite. If you feel like getting lost in a new, much cooler world then check out David’s book ‘In Solitude’s Shadow’! I promise you’ll be begging for a sequel when you’ve finished!
How old were you when you started writing?
I did some screenwriting in university but didn’t actually sit down to do this kind of writing until I was 37. I’m now just about to turn 39 at the end of January, so not a very long time! I write every day though, and have been an avid reader all my life, and the ambition was always there.
What is your most prized possession?
Hmm, that’s a good question… I’m not too much of a possession kind of person, books aside. Actually, thought of one! I went to my first book convention as an author last year at Fantasycon 2021, and I asked many of the authors I was on panels with to sign a copy of my own book, In Solitude’s Shadow. So that version has signatures from Adrian Tchaikovsky, RJ Barker, Anna Smith Spark, Justin Lee Anderson and many more.
How do you celebrate finishing a book?
Start the next one! Seriously! I don’t even read the actual copies of my books when they arrive. I talked about this on a podcast recently and decided I really need to start giving myself more credit about these things. I’ll be finished Path of War, the sequel to In Solitude’s Shadow soon, and it’s going to clock in at around 120k, which is double the size of the last and the longest book I’ve written, so I will make sure to celebrate that one properly, and make a big fuss when the copies arrive.
If you had to describe yourself as a color, which would you pick?
I think a sea blue. Mine and my son’s eyes are the that colour, and I love the ocean. I used to live by the atlantic ocean, and seeing and hearing it every morning and night was beautiful and very lucky. Blue is deep too, there’s lots of shades, so perhaps it would be that one.
What is your favorite part of being a writer? What is your least favorite?
The favourite is absolutely having people tell you’ve they’ve read your work, full stop. It’s a bonus if they enjoy it! The least favourite is the promotion! It’s fun in a way, too, but you just hope you’re not boring people!
How do you spend your days?
I have a son who’s just turned 4 and is autistic, so our days are quite structured. He goes to pre-school Monday to Friday for 3 hours in the morning, so I usually get about 2 and a half hours of work in then. Once he’s home, we do a different activity depending on the day; Monday is usually a relaxed afternoon at home, Tuesday is swimming, Wednesday a day out, Thursday we got for a walk, Friday is swimming. After he goes to bed, I do a little more work, then get more in during the weekend and some time to relax myself.
If you could spend a day with any author, who would you choose and why?
Robert Jordan. I’d plague him about the minutiae of Wheel of Time, pester him about changing his mind about Demandred/Taim and contentedly listen to any tale he’d like to tell me.
Besides writing, what are you passionate about?
I’m a big music fan, both listening and playing. Reading, too. I’m not sure what I’d do without books.
Do you believe there is a difference between a writer and an author?
I suppose an author would suggest they’ve published work somewhere, and a writer hasn’t, but not really. I think writing is writing regardless of what the creator does with it.
What have you always wanted to try but haven’t yet?
In writing? A proper murder mystery novel, like an Agatha Christie style one. In general? I’d love to do the Lord of the Rings tour in New Zealand! One day!
Has your writing process changed since you published your first book?
Yes. I’m a lot more structured with the actual writing; set days and times, word count goals and so on. Mainly because I had the bright idea of releasing two very different fantasy series at the same time and I work on them in sequence. It’s fun, but the structure helps. Before that, it was more haphazard.
Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
Just write, write, write. Follow what you’re passionate about, and always show your writing to a beta reader or two for feedback - it’s invaluable!
Author Bio:
David Green is a writer of the epic and the urban, the fantastical and the mysterious. With his character-driven dark fantasy series empire of ruin, or urban fantasy noir nick holleran, david takes readers on emotional, action-packed thrill rides. Hailing from the north-west of England, David now lives in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland with his wife and train-obsessed son. When not writing, David can be found wondering why he chooses to live in places where it constantly rains.
BLURB:
The Banished have returned, and they will have their revenge. Zanna Alpenwood, a powerful mage, stands atop Solitude’s walls staring down at an army bent on invasion. Two hundred aged and forgotten Sparkers are all that stand between the Banished and the nation of Haltveldt. With time running out, Zanna is forced to reach out to her estranged daughter, Calene, and set her on an impossible quest. In doing so Calene must decide between her masters and her own conscience, as she teams up with unlikely allies to forge their way over land and sea. Will they arrive in time to save the fortress of Solitude from destruction? Only one thing is certain. Ruin is assured if Solitude falls.
