Ask the Author: Dan Strawn
Answered Questions (6)
Dan Strawn
Thinking about the terrible things the Oregon Volunteers did to the Walla Walla Indians in 1856, I realized these men were motivated by xenophobic values that swept American settlers coming west. I coupled I desire to put that story in context by telling a tale of a young white man who participated in the 1856 conflict, and years later begins to have ghostly visions of his war deeds, ones that are prompted by visions of an apparition from that time--a Walla Walla warrior, the first human the young soldier killed. I leave it to the reader to decide whether this a real ghost story or the disintegration of an old man's sanity.
Dan Strawn
A novel that I've alternately titled "Sins of the Father" or "Walla Walla Revenge," depending on the mood of the moment. I'll probably end up picking another title; I usually do. My current work in progress is my first attempt at a paranormal tale. I've cast the story in a nineteenth century time frame, and the ghost in the tale is a Walla Walla warrior. Both the time period and the Indian theme are frameworks I've worked with in the past, so I feel more comfortable than dealing in working in a new genre.
Dan Strawn
Write something and put it out for readers other than immediate family and friends to read. Listen to what works with these readers and what doesn't, then write something else and repeat the process. You'll get better.
Dan Strawn
The people you meet--other writers, editors, publishers, and most of all, readers.
Dan Strawn
I get away from the keyboard, and do something else--walk the dog, go swimming, talk with the wife, read another author. In time, I begin to mull over my current scene and past scenes. Eventually, I will see what I have to fix or where the story's new direction. When that happens, I return to the keyboard.
Dan Strawn
The desire to write has always been with me. Finding the time to write creatively didn't arrive in my life until I retired from two careers, business and teaching. Since then, I've explored the whole venue of creative writing, including poetry, memoirs, essays, short fiction and novels.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more