Ask the Author: Mike Downs
Answered Questions (8)
Mike Downs
I'm not sure if your question is genre specific or novel specific. However, the following is the answer as I see it.
As I have been involved in auto racing most of my life, the question of travel to a fictional book world quickly comes to mind.
The books to inspire me would come from Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and Chandler. I would be racing in America's golden era of the 1920' to the 1940's. My cars and airplanes would be the fastest in the world, and life would be lived in the fast paced company depicted in those novels.
I enjoy writing novels in this same era, and love conjuring characters and scenes that use the spirit of that time. Faulkner's and Chandler's wonderful use of dialog make me want to produce a product I feel that shows I have learned something from them.
As I have been involved in auto racing most of my life, the question of travel to a fictional book world quickly comes to mind.
The books to inspire me would come from Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and Chandler. I would be racing in America's golden era of the 1920' to the 1940's. My cars and airplanes would be the fastest in the world, and life would be lived in the fast paced company depicted in those novels.
I enjoy writing novels in this same era, and love conjuring characters and scenes that use the spirit of that time. Faulkner's and Chandler's wonderful use of dialog make me want to produce a product I feel that shows I have learned something from them.
Mike Downs
It's a toss up between Jack and Maddy Novac and Barry and Mary Keys. The reason is because I enjoy writing their adventures. The guys are always in some trouble and the ladies are always there to support them.
Mike Downs
Sit down and write. You can always throw away pages. If you stop because you can't think of a way to continue that is a sure way not to be able to continue. Just write!
Mike Downs
The satisfaction of finishing a work that you are proud of.
Mike Downs
Find a subject you like or are associated with and write about it.
Mike Downs
Sounds of Deception is in editing now. I have started on the next novel Agent Keys Steps Out. The work on this novel so far is mostly research.
I find researching a novel to be very interesting and enjoyable. I like to get my facts right. A real plus is meeting people at libraries and museums that are novel fans. They make the process even more fun.
I find researching a novel to be very interesting and enjoyable. I like to get my facts right. A real plus is meeting people at libraries and museums that are novel fans. They make the process even more fun.
Mike Downs
Inspiration for me is easy. My imagination usually bubbles over with ideas.
Mike Downs
I was inspired by a trip to Mare Island Naval Shipyard. World War 2 Submarine warfare grabbed my attention. After reading all I could find I wanted to set my novel, Sounds of Deception, at Mare Island and San Francisco during the war.
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