When Douglas Daech was growing up in the 70’s, sci-fi television and his generation came of age together. The Bionic Man expanded young minds and showed all of us what future technology could do, while Von Daniken piqued everyone's curiosity by showing us past marvels in “Chariots of the Gods”, he started telling stories. With that goal in mind and the beat up old paperback found in his basement, titled “Think and Grow Rich” he was convinced he could do anything!

John-Boy Walton was the one who led him to write. The TV character's smooth voice, full of 20/20 wisdom and confidence drew Douglas into the Walton family story. Every week a new adventure entertained us all, and those weekly segments of life guided Douglas to write. Similar to John-Boy’s family, his was large too. As the second youngest of eight kids, he fancied myself to be the writer of the family. Just as in the Walton's, all of the kids grew up and went their own way. Some became chefs, truckers, medical workers, factory workers and more, while Douglas continued to write, trying to be the story teller, and thanking John-Boy every time he started a new adventure.

Interview:

1. Will you tell us about your most recent published work?

"Twenty Twenty" is a story about a camera that can see into the past. The photographer who finds the camera is challenged with the question of what to do with it. Should he use the magic camera to help others, or use it for personal gain. The main character is a person with a traumatic past, and with the help of the camera learns the truth behind his pain and heartbreak. This leads to a new love and a brighter future. It's a fun book to read with some paranormal magic and romance.

2. What personal challenges do you face as a writer?

The biggest challenge is managing time. There is always so much to do, and writing takes so much time. You can't neglect your family, but once you get caught into writing a story, it's hard not to think about it and put time into it. Both my wife and child demand a lot of attention, so some times writing has to be put on hold.

3. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The hardest part of writing my books has been the final editing. I work it over and think it's fine, but Beta Readers and my wife, the editor, find countless issues with it. Sometimes I agree with them with, others times I don't. The rewrites from the original version to the final version is a painful process. Once that is done, the layout is always challenging me. Page numbers drive me crazy because I can never get them to start in the correct place!

4. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?

That's easy, my shyness. I'm a wallflower in a crowd. I shy back and people watch. I'm not very talkative unless it's in the written word. I'd give that up in a heartbeat. With that gone, I would be a better writer and a better promoter of my work. I would not be worried about personal appearances and book talks.

5. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

My first book was a collection of short stories. Several of the stories had been rejected by magazines and my confidence was waning. I liked what I was writing, but couldn't get others to read it. After my short story collection, "Time Travel and Dimensional Journeys," was published on smashwords, people started reading it. It was getting good reviews and continued to download. When the count rose to over a thousand my confidence was back and I moved on. I had a lot of stories to tell, and worked on them with a lot more seriousness knowing people would read what I wrote.

6. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? Will you tell us about them?

Other than "Haunted Rescue" which will be published soon. It's in final editing with my wife bleeding all over it in red ink.

I have two other stories hanging on the wayside. "River Spirit" is about a river haunted by a murdered woman. She takes revenge on men, like her killer, who abuse women. It's in outline right now and has a bit of work yet.

The Game of Life is my story. Growing up without parents and living with an aunt and the mean uncle. (Everyone has a mean uncle). I joined their family with six kids and rarely felt like part of it. I've got a few chapters of my life written but it's hard to face some experiences. It may never be finished.

7. Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I read all the reviews and wonder who wrote them. When I read a bad review I try to see what the reviewer is saying, and not be offended. If it is something I can correct, and want to correct, I may do a rewrite. But, I never have yet. Reviews are like opinions and everyone has one.

8. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Many of my locations and some of the names relate to real places and people. As I write, I see the scene with those people in mind. They may recognize themselves, but the story is fiction. Steve never really fought a vampire, but in my imagination he did. Also, the places in my books are often real places. I pull details from my memory and make my stories more realistic.

9. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

Dave Norem, from my writers group in Clarksville TN, has read many chapters with the group and made helpful comments. Tammy Gach, a writer and friend from Michigan has Beta read and reviewed some of my work too. Critical eyes from experienced writers help make my work easier to read, and more understandable.

10. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Write more and get it out to the public any way you can. Don't be afraid to indie publish, its not a defeat, it's a start!

11. What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Try to be realistic. Don't think your book will be a best seller and don't be crushed if it does not make the top ten list. Write because you like to write, and want to share your stories. Dreaming the big dream is fine, but stay out of the trap of being depressed when it doesn't happen overnight. It may never happen so enjoy the journey wherever it takes you.

12. What’s the best way to market your books?

Most people say an email list is the best marketing tool, but it's hard to get a quality list that's big enough to help. So start collecting emails of friends and readers now! Really! Facebook and twitter are ways to get your message out but the list is king. Let people interested in you know what's happening with your writing.

13. What is your favorite childhood book?

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was one of the first books I read cover to cover. I love the story and the movie too. It was while reading that book I fell in love with the written word. I discovered ink and paper could take you to another place and time.

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/writerdaech/

douglasdaech.yolasite.com

amazon.com/author/douglasdaech