Ask the Author: Launton Anderson
Answered Questions (8)
Launton Anderson
Yes, I am interested in your radio show. :) I'll send you a message, thank you!
Launton Anderson
Hi! Thank you for reading my book and thank you for the nice compliment! And as for your scenario, I do think that was possible. In my book, I used the known evidence to create a theory based upon those details. However, there are many variables to that theory and so many possible scenarios. I do think it's possible the bodies were moved or arranged. I think it's odd that the entire area was shut down for three years. I wonder what the officials found in that area? I think they may have found evidence of another camp site and evidence that more people were around. And I agree with you about the Mystery man- he does look like some sort of official doesn't he? I didn't want to stray too far off course in my book, so I stayed close to the details, but whenever I see that photo, I see an official- like a spetsnaz- rather than a typical hiker or hunter. Thank you again for your interesting questions and please let me know if you'd like to discuss anything else!
Launton Anderson
Personally, I write about what I'm passionate about. I've always loved unsolved mysteries. I remember being little and reading about the Bermuda Triangle, and Amelia Earhart, and the Titanic (back then it wasn't found yet, and they didn't think they'd ever find it).
With 'Death of Nine: The Dyatlov Pass Mystery', I wanted to show the world that the nine hikers were experienced winter hikers. They had 55 years of experience between them.
I wanted to show that they didn't just run around pell-mell and cause their own deaths. I also wanted to show how extreme their injuries were. I created an 'autopsy profile' for each hiker that illustrates what and where those injuries are. It was important to me to write about those details because there are so many misconceptions about this case.
So, that's what inspired me to write this book. As for writing itself, I just love to write. Sometimes, I'll just jot down a short story or I'll hear a unique name and think that'll be great for a character in a story. Sometimes I'll see an abandoned building and imagine what it was like when it was being used and then I'll weave a story out of that. It's the little things here and there that help with me becoming inspired to write.
With 'Death of Nine: The Dyatlov Pass Mystery', I wanted to show the world that the nine hikers were experienced winter hikers. They had 55 years of experience between them.
I wanted to show that they didn't just run around pell-mell and cause their own deaths. I also wanted to show how extreme their injuries were. I created an 'autopsy profile' for each hiker that illustrates what and where those injuries are. It was important to me to write about those details because there are so many misconceptions about this case.
So, that's what inspired me to write this book. As for writing itself, I just love to write. Sometimes, I'll just jot down a short story or I'll hear a unique name and think that'll be great for a character in a story. Sometimes I'll see an abandoned building and imagine what it was like when it was being used and then I'll weave a story out of that. It's the little things here and there that help with me becoming inspired to write.
Launton Anderson
My readers.
Writing itself is just putting a bunch of letters on a page. But when someone reads them, then everything comes to life. We share a journey together and that journey wouldn't be possible without my wonderful readers.
So, my readers are absolutely the best thing about writing. Thank you for this great question and thank you to all my readers out there!
Writing itself is just putting a bunch of letters on a page. But when someone reads them, then everything comes to life. We share a journey together and that journey wouldn't be possible without my wonderful readers.
So, my readers are absolutely the best thing about writing. Thank you for this great question and thank you to all my readers out there!
Launton Anderson
I've been writing short stories for years and I hope to publish them in a book sometime. I wrote a horror novel a few years ago, and I will probably write another one soon. I also have a YA idea.
'Death of Nine: The Dyatlov Pass Mystery' my first non-fiction book.
I'm also focusing on the discussions about this book. There are so many details involved in this mystery. Many people have contacted me wanting to discuss certain scenarios, so I've joined in those discussions. I'm always interested in talking about this mystery and answering any questions.
'Death of Nine: The Dyatlov Pass Mystery' my first non-fiction book.
I'm also focusing on the discussions about this book. There are so many details involved in this mystery. Many people have contacted me wanting to discuss certain scenarios, so I've joined in those discussions. I'm always interested in talking about this mystery and answering any questions.
Launton Anderson
Read. Whenever you can, pick up something and read. It helps put you in the mode to write and you'll also get to experience different levels of writing by doing more reading. You'll see when something is written well vs when something is written poorly.
Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to do the things you love. By experiencing life itself, you expand your own inner knowledge and gain inspiration to write.
And then there's the oldest advice out there: write. Just write whatever comes into your mind. You don't even have to show anyone. You can toss it after you're done.
Write about whatever you're passionate about. That passion comes through in writing. Write for yourself. It's impossible to please everyone, so please yourself and write what you'd like to read. Eventually, that writing will grow and you'll find that you've written a book. The inspiration will come from your passion. Once you publish your book, the readers will sense that passion and your writing will rise above the rest.
Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to do the things you love. By experiencing life itself, you expand your own inner knowledge and gain inspiration to write.
And then there's the oldest advice out there: write. Just write whatever comes into your mind. You don't even have to show anyone. You can toss it after you're done.
Write about whatever you're passionate about. That passion comes through in writing. Write for yourself. It's impossible to please everyone, so please yourself and write what you'd like to read. Eventually, that writing will grow and you'll find that you've written a book. The inspiration will come from your passion. Once you publish your book, the readers will sense that passion and your writing will rise above the rest.
Launton Anderson
I love any and all mysteries. Over the years, I'd collected a lot of material about the Dyatlov Pass mystery. After joining in a few discussions on-line, I decided that perhaps I should put all my thoughts in one spot.
I decided to write a paper detailing the evidence, autopsy results, and theories. That paper kept growing and growing and eventually I realized it was large enough to become a book. And so, here we are :)
When I wrote this book, I wanted to emphasize how this tragedy wasn't caused by the hikers running around pell-mell. I wanted to show how serious their injuries were and I also wanted to explain how each theory does or doesn't work within the evidence.
Basically, this is the book I wish existed when I first started researching Dyatlov Pass. I'm very proud of it and the material presented in it. I truly hope that it helps anybody who wants to know more about this mystery.
I decided to write a paper detailing the evidence, autopsy results, and theories. That paper kept growing and growing and eventually I realized it was large enough to become a book. And so, here we are :)
When I wrote this book, I wanted to emphasize how this tragedy wasn't caused by the hikers running around pell-mell. I wanted to show how serious their injuries were and I also wanted to explain how each theory does or doesn't work within the evidence.
Basically, this is the book I wish existed when I first started researching Dyatlov Pass. I'm very proud of it and the material presented in it. I truly hope that it helps anybody who wants to know more about this mystery.
Launton Anderson
That's such a good question! What I do is tell myself that it doesn't matter what I write because I can always change it later in the editing process.
If I'm really stuck, then I tell myself to write anything at all for 10 minutes. Then I set a timer and write like no one's going to read it. So, basically, I just let myself throw the words on a page. Usually, what happens is that I get into it and want to keep writing after my 10 minutes is up.
I keep the quote: 'Each journey begins with a single step' nearby. That helps remind me that even writing two sentences gets me further than I was when I started.
Writer's block is hard so just remember that if you're writing anything at all, then you're accomplishing something! Also, remember to count any research you do as time spent writing your book. Sometimes research takes a long time and you need to remember to give yourself credit for that time also.
I hope some of that helps, and please let me know if you'd like to talk about this some more! Thanks for the question!
If I'm really stuck, then I tell myself to write anything at all for 10 minutes. Then I set a timer and write like no one's going to read it. So, basically, I just let myself throw the words on a page. Usually, what happens is that I get into it and want to keep writing after my 10 minutes is up.
I keep the quote: 'Each journey begins with a single step' nearby. That helps remind me that even writing two sentences gets me further than I was when I started.
Writer's block is hard so just remember that if you're writing anything at all, then you're accomplishing something! Also, remember to count any research you do as time spent writing your book. Sometimes research takes a long time and you need to remember to give yourself credit for that time also.
I hope some of that helps, and please let me know if you'd like to talk about this some more! Thanks for the question!
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