Ask the Author: Dan Walsh
Answered Questions (17)
Dan Walsh
Jane, SO sorry I'm just seeing this now. Don't know how I missed it. For me, when I started in 2008, getting a good agent was critical to being published. Now, since the emergence of the Indie world, it's totally optional. If you hope to get a deal with traditional publishers, probably recommended. If you're going indie, there's really no point. When I went indie in 2015, I parted ways with my agent (amicably), but again, no real reason to keep the relationship going then.
Dan Walsh
Ralph was thrilled with his dramatic weight-loss in this new program...until this afternoon. He reached for a can of spinach on the top shelf in a crowded grocery aisle and his shorts hit the floor.
Dan Walsh
Probably, Narnia - the world created by CS Lewis. What would I do there? For starters, try not to get killed. Lots of villains mingled in with all the amazing places and characters Lewis created. But it seems like this would be such a fascinating place to explore. And best part? Could be there for years and only miss out on a few days of my real world.
Dan Walsh
Bonnie, SO sorry I'm just answering this now. Somehow I missed the alert that you had asked this Question. I see it was 8 months ago. Since then, the 4th book has come out and is doing very well. Called "Perilous Treasure." I'm actually 2/3 of the way through a 5th book, which may actually become Book 1 of a spinoff Joe Boyd Suspense series. It's called, If These Walls Could Talk. Hope to have it out at the end of March.
Dan Walsh
Donald, we do have a rescue dog, named Charlie. He's an amazing spaniel mix (looks kinda like a Springer). They picked him up wondering the streets in a bad section of town, brought him to the shelter where my wife worked (for 5 years). They guessed he was maybe 6-7 months old. We brought him home and have enjoyed him every day since (he's sitting next to my legs right now on the recliner). We have another dog, a mini Aussie.
Dan Walsh
Cintia,
Not sure how to respond here. I get what you're saying about "so much competition," and why that might be discouraging. But most of the fiction writers I know who do succeed will tell you...they simply HAD to write. And they were this way years before they were ever published. The desire to write stories was so strong they did it whether or not the stories ever got published. I'd say, if you're really meant to do this, stop thinking about "the industry" and rediscover the desire to simply write for the love of writing. There's always room "in the industry" for one more great story, well written well and well told.
Not sure how to respond here. I get what you're saying about "so much competition," and why that might be discouraging. But most of the fiction writers I know who do succeed will tell you...they simply HAD to write. And they were this way years before they were ever published. The desire to write stories was so strong they did it whether or not the stories ever got published. I'd say, if you're really meant to do this, stop thinking about "the industry" and rediscover the desire to simply write for the love of writing. There's always room "in the industry" for one more great story, well written well and well told.
Dan Walsh
Sadly, most of my reading will be books (and other things) that will help me "get things right" in the book I'm currently writing. But don't feel too sorry for me, I actually enjoy the research because I learn so many fascinating things. I do occasionally get to read books just for fun. Recently, I've read "Avenue of Spies" by Alex Kershaw. A non-fiction WW2 book that reads like a novel.
Dan Walsh
Actually, I've woven several mysteries in my life into several of my novels already. Probably the one that comes to mind the most is in the suspense novel, What Follows After. Some of the things that happened in that story come straight from my childhood.
Dan Walsh
Since the initial answer to this question, I've actually finished Books 3 and 4 in the Jack Turner Series. They're called Unintended Consequences and Perilous Treasure. You can check them out on. Amazon, read the Book descriptions and some of the reviews to get an idea about the stories. So far, the reviews have been amazing. To keep up with my newest books, you can sign up for my newsletter on my homepage at www.danwalshbooks.com. I only send one out when new books are coming or great deals are being offered on one of the books.
Dan Walsh
Jana,
Actually, I didn't. But I can see why it might seem so (since I've written so many of the more relational drama type books). I've been reading and wanting to write suspense books for years but wasn't allowed to by my publisher. They have been under the mistaken belief (most pubs, not just mine) that writers should stick to one genre (the one readers expect). The input I've received talking to readers has been that some are like that, but most read more than one genre and would be open to a favorite author writing in more than one (as long as they didn't abandon the one they are known for).
The sales and feedback from When Night Comes has been very strong, so I've decided to keep writing both kinds of books from now on. Over the summer, I finished a relational-style book (Rescuing Finley) and I'm now writing the sequel to When Night Comes (hope to make it a series).
Actually, I didn't. But I can see why it might seem so (since I've written so many of the more relational drama type books). I've been reading and wanting to write suspense books for years but wasn't allowed to by my publisher. They have been under the mistaken belief (most pubs, not just mine) that writers should stick to one genre (the one readers expect). The input I've received talking to readers has been that some are like that, but most read more than one genre and would be open to a favorite author writing in more than one (as long as they didn't abandon the one they are known for).
The sales and feedback from When Night Comes has been very strong, so I've decided to keep writing both kinds of books from now on. Over the summer, I finished a relational-style book (Rescuing Finley) and I'm now writing the sequel to When Night Comes (hope to make it a series).
Dan Walsh
If you mean where do I get the inspiration for my book ideas, that would be a hard one to answer. I've written 20 novels and the way these stories have come to me has rarely followed a definable pattern. Usually something sets the spark, and then an idea grows over several days. Sometimes a week or more. I write everything down as it comes. It reaches a certain point where I "see it." Then I can usually keep developing it into a full story with a beginning, middle and end.
Sometimes I'll get 3 or 4 of these in a single month. Other times, it might be months in between with nothing (usually in those months, I'm neck deep writing a book). So far, I haven't come close to running out of story ideas. I have way more than I have time to write.
Sometimes I'll get 3 or 4 of these in a single month. Other times, it might be months in between with nothing (usually in those months, I'm neck deep writing a book). So far, I haven't come close to running out of story ideas. I have way more than I have time to write.
Dan Walsh
Hmmm...that's a tough one. There's probably several very close to the top spot. But it might be Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. SO well written. I remember stopping so many times, just to re-read things he'd said, and the way he'd said them.
Dan Walsh
Don’t get too distracted with other things, like social media or building your platform. The most important thing is learning how to tell a great story, to write a great book. Something readers won’t want to put down and, when they're through, they have to tell their friends, “You've got to read this book!”
Dan Walsh
My most recent novel is called Perilous Treasure (Book 4 in the Jack Turner series). I was watching a documentary series on Stolen Nazi Treasures and was amazed at how many billions of dollars of gold and artworks are still missing 70 years later. And that most of these were thought to be smuggled out of the area shortly after the war. This go me thinking. One thing let to another...and the story for Perilous Treasure was born.
Dan Walsh
Recently finished Book 4 in the Jack Turner Suspense series, called Perilous Treasure. Starting to work on Book 1 for a spinoff Suspense series (which could also be called Book 5 in the Turner series). It will feature Sgt. Joe Boyd (the main homicide detective in the series) solving cold case files in Culpepper, GA (the setting for the current series). At least in the beginning, Jack Turner will still be involved helping Joe with these cases. They will be an easy hit for those who've enjoyed the Jack Turner books.
Dan Walsh
I've written 20 novels since 2008 (about 2/year). Thankfully, I haven't experienced it yet. I've had times when my batteries ran low and needed to be recharged, but usually that's just about getting some time away for some R&R.
Dan Walsh
I guess, for me, it's the satisfaction of having a story stirring long inside you, being able to finally put it into the right words, then to hear back from readers who loved it and clearly connected with all the things you hoped they would.
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