Interview with fantasy author Davidson Haworth

Today’s guest is fantasy author and Dr. Who aficionado Davidson L. Haworth. He’s focused on his newest novel, The Defenders of Prali which will be releasing later this year.

Bio:

Davidson L. Haworth was born in San Jose, California on October 29, 1969 where he also formed his writing interests at the age of six. Raised by his father he searched for an outlet to explore new ideas and it is at a young age that he began to write short stories, and at the age of seven he began writing screenplays to be performed at Sherman Oaks Elementary school where he attended school in San Jose, California. Eventually Davidson would begin traveling to England where he would discover castles, knights, and crusader history. From that day forward Davidson was catapulted into the realm of history and fantasy and eventually he would combine the two in his writings and become the father of historical fantasy.

While the interest in history and fantasy piqued his interest Davidson began reading legendary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Those two authors together with his Roman Catholic upbringing brought new ideas together with some of the classics to form stories that are heroic in nature and moral in content.

Davidson L. Haworth enjoys meeting old friends and new friends, because he believes there are no such things as strangers, only friends he hasn’t met yet. In his fervor to speak to people from around the world and at home Davidson has traveled the world on international book tours to speak about the genre of fantasy, writing, and history. He has spoken at the prestigious Lomonosov Moscow State University (Moscow, Russia), Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Kyiv, Ukraine), Tula State Leo Tolstoy Pedagogical University (Tula, Russia), Socrates Foreign Language Center (Sergiev Posad, Russia), and several American Councils in Europe. In the United States Davidson speaks the same subjects at comic book, anime, and fantasy conventions. He is also considered an expert in Doctor Who, an iconic British TV show. Davidson lives with his wife and two children in San Jose, California.

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Welcome, Davidson. Please tell us about your current release.

The Defenders of Prali is the fourth and final book in the Prali series. It takes place in the times of the Crusades in Italy where a gate to the underworld has been exposed, and it is up to five brave heroes to destroy the evil coming from within and save the worldly inhabitants from such creatures as a dragon, wizard, and vampires. It is historical fantasy and so many of the locations in the book actually exist and some historical figures are in the book as well. If you enjoy Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, you will enjoy this book for sure.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have been writing this series since its inception in 2009 and have continued to expand on its universe, but the time has come to end it and move on to other subjects within the realm of the fantasy genre. The series includes: The Dragon of Prali, The Wizard of Prali, and The Vampires of Prali.

Excerpt from The Defenders of Prali:

The shaking becomes like an earthquake within the cave. Mary rising from her comfortable position, her heart begins to pound with fear, and her body feeling the hesitance to make a move against the dragon. She moves her slender body against the balcony wall, crouching into position, taking her bow into her hand, and placing an arrow in the bow. Mary realizes she needs to see if the dragon had entered, she knows the advantage of surprise belonged to her, but is Bernard ready to take on the challenge? Will they both hesitate? Mary finally decides to peer over the balcony; she needs to see for herself. Mary finally looks over the wall and only feeling the shaking of the cave. Surprisingly the altar is still with the look of serenity surrounding it. No dragon to be seen as Mary scratches her head in confusion. No dragon but plenty of rumbling of the ground to go around. Then like a lightning strike of surprise as a loud growl heard in the direction of the main large entrance.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Currently I am involved in writing a book filled with short fantasy and science fiction stories. I have always wanted to do a little sci-fi and this gives me the chance to dabble a bit.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I first began when I was six years of age and I wrote a screenplay, but to say when I was considered a writer it would have to have happened right out of college when I was hired to write fantasy character details for a publisher.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write full time and I do my best to stay disciplined. I usually start my day around 8:00am and check e-mails and other correspondence. Noon time I jog with my beagle Heston and then have lunch. The rest of the day is spent writing until the evening hours. That is the usual schedule, but sometimes personal life gets into the mix and I deviate from the norms.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Getting too emotional while writing, especially when I kill off a character and tears run down my cheek.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to play professional football for the Oakland Raiders. I thought it could happen in High School where I averaged two touchdowns a game as a tight end, but to no avail.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Yes, come and join me on Facebook or any other internet outlet. Check out my events and come over to see me live and in person. I always enjoy meeting new friends and talking comic books, sports, books, and just about anything else under the sun.

Upcoming Events:

March 7-9, 2014 - Guest at Wizard World Sacramento (Sacramento, CA) http://www.wizardworld.com/home-sacramento.html

April 12-13, 2014 - Author Guest at San Jose Fantasy Faire (San Jose, CA) www.sjfantasy.com

May 17-18, 2014 - Guest at Big WOW! ComicFest (San Jose, CA) www.bigwowcomicfest.com

Thanks, Davidson!

Interview with novelist Tom Blubaugh

Multi-published writer Tom Blubaugh is here today to talk about his first historical fiction novel, Night of the Cossack.

Bio:
Tom Blubaugh was raised in a small town in southeast KS. He began writing poetry at age fourteen. Tom has written nonfiction writer most of his adult life. He self-published his first book Behind the Scenes of the Bus Ministry in 1974. Tom wrote articles for denominational and business magazines  from 1975 through 1995. He co-wrote The Great Adventure for Barbour Publishing Co. in 2009. 

Bound by Faith Publishers published his first fiction Night of the Cossack in April, 2011. 

Tom is married to Barbara. They have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Both are retired. Tom has been a public speaker for 40 years. He was a self-employed entrepreneur from 1973 to 1995. Tom retired in 2004 and has devoted most of his time to writing and volunteer work.

Please tell us about your current release.

My current release is a historical fiction titled Night of the Cossack. The beginning takes place is Russia in the early 1900s.

What inspired you to write this book?

Both of my grandfathers died before I was born. I knew very little about either of them. One fact I did have about my maternal grandfather—he was a Cossack soldier in Russia. This captured my mind and I went on a quest of researching Russian history. I found it to be fascinating.

  

Excerpt:

“I must go to Aza, Momma. I heard him scream. He’s panicked, he could hurt himself.”

“What can you do for him, Nathan?”

“I can calm him down and turn him loose into the woods. If they set the barn on fire, he’ll die. He’ll be safe in the woods. I must go!”

“You’re more important than your horse. I, we need you here with us. Stay, Nathan. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

Nathan was torn. Breathing a heavy sigh in resignation as he pulled the cellar door shut, he let his eyes adjust to the dark. He leaned his rifle against the wall.

Momma wrapped her arms around her older son. Nathan felt her shiver. He knew she was more afraid than cold. Had she heard the scream?

She sank to her knees, pulling Nathan down. “I know you’re afraid,” she whispered.

Nathan tensed. “I’m not afraid. I’m a man—the man of the house. You’ve said this yourself.” He pulled away from her. “You say I’m brave and strong. You tell me I’m like Papa, but you treat me like a little boy.”

“Nathan, you’re both. You’re my little boy, but at the same time you’re a man. Can you understand?”

Ignoring her question he said, “Papa should be here to protect us. I didn’t even get to tell him good-bye.”

“Don’t be angry, Nathan. He loved you very much. He loved all of us.” She slipped her arms around him again saying, “It was an accident. There was no chance for anyone to say good-bye. Dying wasn’t his choice. You’re a man, Nathan. You look just like him—tall and strong, yet gentle. You have his black, wavy hair, hazel eyes, even his strong chin. What would I do without you?”

Nathan didn’t say anything. He couldn’t stay mad at her. Her soft voice melted his heart.

Even when she’s afraid, she comforts me. Momma’s right. About all of it. It isn’t her fault Papa died.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m writing a sequel to Night of the Cossack and a nonfiction about four books that changed my life.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I started writing when I was fourteen. I started being published in some magazines in the 1970s and self-published a book in 1974. I don’t think I really considered myself as a writer until Barbour Publishing contracted me to co-write a book with fourteen other writers in 2009.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I consider myself a full-time writer. I try to reserve the morning for private time, doing chores with my wife and reading. After lunch I hit the computer until Supper. I am a night owl, although I’m trying to change this, and I do a lot of social networking late night. It sounds like I don’t have a life, but I do—with my Barbara, my lovely wife, three sons and three daughters and fourteen grandkids.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m a seat-of-my-pants writer. I can only write if I have a head full of ideas. If I feel like I should be writing and don’t have an idea, I close my eyes and start typing—random at first, but then something comes up and I’m off to the races.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was a day dreamer. I loved westerns and war movies. You know, I don’t really remember.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Sure. If you have a desire to write—write. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You’re unique and what you write is unique to you. I think we were all scared when we started letting someone else read our writing, but we got over it and went on. If you don’t write, you may write something that has never been said before.

Thanks for the interview, Lisa.

You're welcome, Thomas.

Folks, here are different ways to connect with Thomas and learn more about his writing:

Night of the Cossack historical fiction ebooks available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

Night of the Cossack historical fiction signed paperback at Night of the Cossack  FREE shipping to address in USA.

Night of the Cossack historical fiction pdf file will be available soon.

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