Ask the Author: D.B. Kennison
Answered Questions (10)
D.B. Kennison
Thanks for asking, Connie! The truth is, I've always been drawn to the dark, scary, and all too real things in life. The things that make my heart pump a little faster, goosebumps rise on my skin, and the hair prickle at my nape.
Seriously though, I know that sounds a bit twisted but I think it's the science and psychology of it that draws me in. When I hear about a real life crime, I have burning questions about the "why of it". What makes the psychopath tick? What is broken within them? What drives them?
For instance, take the BTK killer, Dennis Rader. He was a pillar of the community and yet, he was a serial killer. What made him who he is?
Look at Ted Bundy, charismatic honor student, Republican activist, a trusted friend to many--and yet, a sadistic sociopath. He confessed to killing 30 victims (it's believed there were more) and decapitating 12. What the hell?
Meh, maybe I should've been a psychologist. Now at least, I can study the dark minds and deeds in order to capture their character on the page.
Seriously though, I know that sounds a bit twisted but I think it's the science and psychology of it that draws me in. When I hear about a real life crime, I have burning questions about the "why of it". What makes the psychopath tick? What is broken within them? What drives them?
For instance, take the BTK killer, Dennis Rader. He was a pillar of the community and yet, he was a serial killer. What made him who he is?
Look at Ted Bundy, charismatic honor student, Republican activist, a trusted friend to many--and yet, a sadistic sociopath. He confessed to killing 30 victims (it's believed there were more) and decapitating 12. What the hell?
Meh, maybe I should've been a psychologist. Now at least, I can study the dark minds and deeds in order to capture their character on the page.
D.B. Kennison
I was adopted as an infant and am just now getting curious about my birth parents. I did a bit of poking around recently and realize I'll have to be proactive if I want to get the official records. Uncovering the facts of where I came from is mysterious in itself and my mind wanders in all sorts of directions by habit anyway. It wouldn't take much of a nudge for me to flesh out a bigger mystery plot there!
D.B. Kennison
Oh my, this is a tough one. There are just too many interesting ones to choose from. If I had to narrow it down it would be a toss up.
First is Claire (Randall) and Jamie Fraser in Diana Gabaldon's classic, Outlander. It's a story I have read again and again. This is the ultimate romance story where two people are thrown together and find love in their struggle to survive.
The second would be a new fave. Letty Dobesh and Arnold LeBrech in Blake Crouch's Good Behavior. These characters are damaged yet, brilliant and likable people. It's another story of survival--people trying to be good and failing, resigned to their criminal behavior. Their twisted antics leave me wanting more!
First is Claire (Randall) and Jamie Fraser in Diana Gabaldon's classic, Outlander. It's a story I have read again and again. This is the ultimate romance story where two people are thrown together and find love in their struggle to survive.
The second would be a new fave. Letty Dobesh and Arnold LeBrech in Blake Crouch's Good Behavior. These characters are damaged yet, brilliant and likable people. It's another story of survival--people trying to be good and failing, resigned to their criminal behavior. Their twisted antics leave me wanting more!
D.B. Kennison
As I was working out the mechanics of writing for the first time Randi started out as a roughly sketched character, one that fit the mold of what works in the romance genre. Maybe it's cliché, but I wanted her to be the damaged, slightly broken woman that you just know is going to pull herself up by the bootstraps, gain confidence, and eventually kick some ass. Randi is a figment of my imagination, but once I started writing her, she came to life! Thanks for asking, Rosanna.
D.B. Kennison
The storyline for Still Life came from many places. I love books with romance, mystery, police procedure, dark thrills, and the odd comedic relief of one liners. This book encompasses all of those things. I like to think of it as a hybrid adventure. My greatest hope is that the reader will have fun with it!
D.B. Kennison
That depends on the day. Sometimes it's something someone said or did, a tidbit on the news that sends my mind off into a story, or maybe it's just a bit of wine. Who knows…I can tell you it is difficult to shut off the voices in my head.
Wait…who said that? Did you hear something?
Wait…who said that? Did you hear something?
D.B. Kennison
Damn near finished with the first draft of book 2 in the Lassiter Series and ran into a plot problem. :-( That sent me back to the drawing board to tuck in those corrections before I continue. Ugh!
The good news: It will be a better book for it and well worth the effort.
The good news: It will be a better book for it and well worth the effort.
D.B. Kennison
-Don't be afraid to reach out to other writers for support and guidance.
-Join a critique group, writers have a different perspective than readers.
-Be true to yourself, your writing, and find your own unique voice.
-Dont' let your weaknesses stop you from writing if that's what you really want to do. I stink at grammar (I hear pauses in my head and tend to fling commas around like parmesan cheese on pizza--what can I say...I'm trying to find a support group--oh yeah, that would be an english refresher class..lol) Bottom line, you can learn anything needed to become a writer!
-Join a critique group, writers have a different perspective than readers.
-Be true to yourself, your writing, and find your own unique voice.
-Dont' let your weaknesses stop you from writing if that's what you really want to do. I stink at grammar (I hear pauses in my head and tend to fling commas around like parmesan cheese on pizza--what can I say...I'm trying to find a support group--oh yeah, that would be an english refresher class..lol) Bottom line, you can learn anything needed to become a writer!
D.B. Kennison
I get to make stuff up…yippee!! Seriously though, I try to balance the creative fiction in my stories with factual accuracy. Take the setting of Still Life, the small town of Mt. Ouisco, Wisconsin may be fictional but it's roots are based on fact. The name Wisconsin comes from the Chippewa Indian word Ouisconsin, believed to mean "grassy place." Wisconsin became the 30th state on May 29, 1848.
When I write a scene about police procedure I do my best to be accurate and research the subject or contact my professional law enforcement source. See, I get to learn new things and make stuff up!
When I write a scene about police procedure I do my best to be accurate and research the subject or contact my professional law enforcement source. See, I get to learn new things and make stuff up!
D.B. Kennison
When I have writer's block I just keep writing, it may not be pretty and eventually get tossed out, but writing something is always better than staring down a blank page.
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May 10, 2017 06:48AM · flag