Author Interview - D.H. Aire, Author of Highmage's Plight

Hi everyone! The Blogger Book Fair Febraury 2013 is now on and I'm one of 50+ authors taking part. (More info at the end of this interview) Here's an interview I conducted with D.H. Aire, author of Highmage’s Plight, the first book in a sci fi/fantasy series that was serialized in the ezine Separate Worlds in 2011 and published in novel form by MalachiteQuills Publishing’s Chimera Tales imprint last year.

1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE?

I have always loved stories and began reading John Carter’s adventures on Mars when I was thirteen. Soon, I was buying up book after book of that series and more. The more I read, the more I wondered about life in the future and the past -- or better yet -- the worlds of magic. 

Soon I was writing stories in a spiral notebook, later typing away late at night. But what really inspired me weren’t the stories or comic books I came across -- I would watch old episodes of Superman, Batman, and Lost in Space and particularly loved seeing Will Robinson who was a kid like me lost in space (believe me, the living room when I was a kid was like an alien planet…70s décor, sheesh).

Spock with a beard.

I lived for catching an episode of Star Trek as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock watched as those in red shirts died within seconds of appearing on the episode. Television was my window to the imagination every day after school. So, what really inspired me to write original stories was...reruns.

2. CAN WRITERS CHANGE THE WORLD?
I believe writers definitely can change the world, even if that world is just the mind of another person. Imagination is a powerful thing. For example, H.G. Wells and Jules Verne spurred the imagination of the world which now reflects many of those dreams as our reality today. But is that a good thing or a bad thing, you ask? It depends. Jules Verne's submarine is commonplace today. Is it good or bad? It’s an incredible achievement.

Jules Verne's Nautilus submarine, by artist Dave Warren.

How we use what we create, how we deal with the pollution manufacturing creates, how we treat workers, all can be good or bad. Writers like Jonathan Swift or Upton Sinclair, even Charles Dickens offered insights of the world in which they lived that made people think. I hope that some of my satiric attempts to deal with racism in Highmage’s Plight, for example, a world where those of elvin descent can do and make and humans cannot -- might lead to perceptions about how we treat each other being questioned. 

Personally, I think writers change the world for the better more often than not through writing because it can be very powerful. The power of a book can move millions and has throughout history for good or ill. 

3. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK AND WHY? 
I have many favorite books, but there’s one I’d recommend that may be a bit difficult to find these days. David Feintuch wrote the Nicholas Seafort Saga. He was an attorney, who retired I believe because he had a heart condition. His first book, which I love, is Midshipman’s Hope (Available on Amazon). 

It's the story of a tortured young man who finds himself the captain of a starship filled with colonists going to an agrarian world called Hope Nation, a trip that will take more than a year’s travel in hyperspace. What can go wrong does and Nick Seafort, who is about sixteen-years-old, finds himself responsible for all their lives and no one trusts he will be able to save them.

Book cover of Midshipman's Hope by David Feintuch.

David rewrote that book several times until he “found” Nick’s voice and terrible guilt. He published about six books in the series and two in a fantasy series (which is also different from anything I’ve ever read). David’s career was cut short, he died ten years after publishing that first book. I’m in awe of his imagination, his sense of detail, and his story telling ability.

4. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR NEW AND UP-AND-COMING WRITERS?

Writing comes easy for some, harder for others. It takes time to master your craft. My advice is to write and finish what you write, regardless of whether it’s a short story or a novel. Finish what you write, re-write it, proof it, get feedback, and submit it for publication and take rejections as a badge of honor. When submitting, pay attention to the market’s guidelines and make sure your piece meets their criteria.

Click the image to read Twilight fanfiction. Go on, you know you want to.

If they say they're looking for original pieces, don’t send them fan fiction or your version of an episode of Lost or Twilight -- changing a few names. Believe it or not, an editor told me at a recent convention that her sci-fi ezine is getting flooded with stories like that as well as stories that ignore editorial warnings of the type of files they can’t “read.” Your work will stand out over literally hundreds of submissions just by being original and following the guidelines. 

And my final piece of advice is be persistent. That’s the secret of every writer’s success and will be yours, too.

 

5. IF YOUR BOOK WAS TURNED INTO A MOVIE, WHO WOULD DIRECT IT? WHO WOULD STAR IN IT?

If my book Highmage’s Plight were made into a movie, I’d want Chris Columbus or Peter Jackson to direct. A guy can dream, can’t he? Lead actors: hmm…Nathan Fillion, Brendan Fraser, Keanu Reeves, Will Smith, and David Tennet. Lead actresses: Katee Sakhoff, Karen Gillian, Grace Park and Halle Berry.

Halle Berry won a Worst Actress Razzie for her career-defining performance as Catwoman.

Fine, I admit it, I’m a fan of Firefly, The Matrix, everything Fraser and Smith have ever done, Dr. Who, Battlestar Galactica and X-Men/Halle Berry (who’s marvelous – so forgive her being Catwoman).

6. IF YOU WEREN'T WRITING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?

If I weren’t writing, I’d be miserable right now. Writing is cathartic for me. I’ve a creative side that wouldn’t have enough of an outlet. On the other hand, when I’m not writing I’m thinking about stories and characters, aspects of the plot and ideas for where the story should go next, or what I suddenly realize needs to be changed. 

So, if I wasn’t writing, I’d be miserable. I did that for a long time as life and career dampened my spirits. Then I decided to dust off what I’d written and get back to writing and seeking to get published and not worry of rejection letters anymore. Within two years my first novel was published. 

7. IF THE WORLD WAS ENDING TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TODAY?

I’d write our way out of it. Look, I know being a writer’s a sickness. But I wrote us out of the Mayan Apocalypse…and Y2K. But that’s another story, altogether.

Thank you D.H. Aire. It was a pleasure talking to you.

For those interested in a chance to win a FREE autographed copy and an opportunity to get an advance read of the sequels to Highmage's Plight, visit Aire's website at www.dhr2believe.net for details during the Blogger Book Fair, February 7 – 10, 2013

Books by D.H. Aire
Highmage’s Plight

Paperback Kindle Nook 

Flights of Fantasy, Vol. 1, featuring the short stories of D.H. Aire and Barry Nove, ed. Colin Neilson (Spectacular Publishing)

Paperback epubformats 

Look out for D.H. Aire's short story, Crossroads of Sin, in the anthology RealLies (The Zharmae Publishing Press, February 2013) Available for pre-order right now on Amazon and at https://www.facebook.com/tzppbooks/app_138996027389 (special promotional price).

As part of the Blogger Book Fair, my book The Oldest Man In The Universe is now FREE to download on Amazon. It's a wonderful story, so please check it out. Thanks!

I will be posting an author interview a day over the next two days so remember to check back every day.

WHAT IS THE BLOGGER BOOK FAIR?

The Blogger Book Fair is like a blog hop. It is held every six months and showcases authors and their books. Click here for more information on participating blogs, giveaways, discounts, and other events you can't find anywhere else.

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