Ask the Author: Paul Dorrell

“Ask me a question.” Paul Dorrell

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Paul Dorrell My most recent book, Trading In Souls, is about an American GI who has returned from Iraq a wreck, suffering from extreme PTSD, alcoholic and suicidal. He meets a woman who also has serious problems of a different sort. They try to help each other, and in the beginning mostly fail. Their challenge is whether they'll succeed, and especially whether he'll disintegrate. It was inspired by the experiences of several Vets I know.

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How do you get inspired to write?

Paul Dorrell New people who intrigue me; old friends I adore. Riding my bike at night through rough parts of the city, or at 150 down the interstate. Inline skating. Four belts of whiskey on a Saturday night. No whiskey on other nights. An arousing flirtation. Great music. Great books. Teaching my kids to play baseball when they were younger, teaching them about the world as they grew older, or simply how to give. Telling my wife and sons I love them, but more importantly proving it. A hot night of hard sex where mild pain is as fine as the ecstasy. A cool night of gentle sex where all is sensitivity and warmth. Backpacking in New Mexico, snorkeling in Key West, canoeing in the Ozarks, surfing at Santa Cruz. Making a sad woman smile. Making an angry man do the same. Entangling myself in a risk that could possibly destroy me. Sunday dinner with friends.

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What are you currently working on?

Paul Dorrell I'm currently taking two years off from writing and just focusing on expanding Leopold Gallery, adventure, readings, and spending time with loved ones. I'll go back to writing sometime in the fall of 2015--but will go to Burning Man first.

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Paul Dorrell When you're writing the rough draft of a book, write at least 1000 words a day. When you're on rewrite , write at least 3000 words a day. When you're done with the book, celebrate, and go explore some new part of the world--even the book doesn't get published. Also, read read read.

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