Interviewing the Dreamer - The Author

(Adult material and content)

When I was a kid I dreamed about becoming three things when I grew up, an actress, a clothing designer and a writer.  Today I am a clothing designer, a published poet and an actress that was edited out of a MasterCard commercial.  Now I want you to meet another dreamer who has reached his dreams of becoming a published author, Daniel James Franklin.  Not only does he have a God given "Author's" name DANIEL JAMES FRANKLIN, his writing talent suppresses other young writers in my opinion.   Here's his interview about his new book and his writing.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Oh ya! It actually all went down in 3rd grade, if you can believe it! My teacher wrote prompts on the board-different questions about ideas, and we had to respond to them. I remember one time she wrote this prompt about "a black cloud covering the sun," and I just took off with it. Made up a story about a superhero named SuperDan. From then on I knew I wanted to be an author.

What's your book about?

It's based around a central character who is going through somewhat of a "mid-life crisis." A bunch of different tragedies happen to him all at once and he's really not sure how to handle it. He snaps and plans to kill himself. He overdoses on a drug called Red Devil, hence the name, and the book follows his drug trip. It's a single night and really about man's journey to find himself and the answers to life in midst of tribulation.

Daniel James Franklin

What inspired you to write this book?

Ya know, it's funny. I'm not the person who gets spoken to by God, or here's angels in his sleep, but this one actually came to me in a dream. The whole base of the story is what I dreamt. As soon as I woke I thought, "I NEED to write this!"

How did you come up with the title?

It was originally called God vs. The Devil. Then my good friend Charisma read it and told me it was a stupid name and I realized, "Ya, it's a stupid name!" Too be honest, I can't even remember how I came up with it, but I really like it now!

How did you come about writing this book?

The idea came and my possessed hands did that rest!

What motivates you to write?

Damn, I don't think I've ever thought about that. I really don't know. I just love doing it. I can tell you that it's a God given talent, and without him, I'd be a pretty horrible writer.

Daniel

Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes and no. I wrote this back in High School, so the writing is pretty juvenile at times. Every novel I write has its own twang to it. I guess I can say my style is ever-changing.

What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine?

Once again, I'd say that is also ever-changing. But I do notice, while writing a particular story, I really get into the main character's world. I must experience whatever he's going through first hand so that I can describe it with complete honesty. Hence me taking copious of amounts of substances while writing the book.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

I wouldn't call it writer's block. I'm constantly coming up with new ideas, and for me it's about choosing the perfect one! Sometimes the choosing part can be stifling.

Why should people read your book?

Well to be forward-I don't think anyway NEEDS to read my book, I really published this for me. It's been my dream and now I can die happy. Haha. No, no, I'm kidding. But truth is, the material is relate-able to anyone. We've all found ourselves in a dark place questioning our own existence. It's man's most vulnerable point. Although reader's may not be going through what main character Ben Tanner is going through, but they realize, "Hey, I've felt this guy's pain before."

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

I will never advocate anything in particular, but I hope people just take a simple piece of hope from my book. We all have crazy thing happen to us. Keep your head up. And if they don't take away anything, well at least they have 144 pages to start a fire with haha.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I would like people to read it then tell me what they got from it. It's all their own experience.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

The things I write are the very things I'm supposed to be learning. It's funny because I'll write something, have the character learn, and bam! You think I'm there with him, but I'm not. I'm still stuck. So yes and no.

Who did the art work on the cover of your book?

I was waiting for this question! My twin brother Dave, who is an artist, rapper, musician, and model....well maybe not the last part but hey, not too far-fetched! Dave actually drew it on a Starbucks wrapper and showed it to me for fun and I loved it. Scanned it, edited out the word STARBUCKS, and bam, my cover!

Who's your biggest supporter?

My twin brother Dave will always be my biggest supporter. Love that homie.

Dave and Daniel

Is being an author something you'd like to do for the rest of your life?

That's my ultimate dream.

Can you give a us a teaser from your book?

Well I have been posting chapter excerpts on my website! Thereddevil.net  If anyone is interested they can go there and get a nice feel for it. Be warned: it gets intense.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Write a story, don't let it write you. In another words, it's your own world, do whatever the hell you want. Never get caught up in what's real or unreal, or truth or untruth. This is YOUR story. Do whatever you want. The same advice can be said when considering our very own lives.

What are your current / future projects?

As of right now I have 4 or 5 other novels ready to be edited and published. I'm going to wait on that. I've started writing a new novel and it's shaping nicely.

To buy the book Red Devil, at Barnes & Noble or click here 

First month it will be strictly sold by the publisher. Next month it will be sold by Barnes and Nobles website and Amazon.

Thereddevil.net

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