Ask the Author: Phillip Davis
Answered Questions (8)
Phillip Davis
This is a tough question! One of the things that is a real hallmark to me of good fiction is the depth and complexity of the world that I'm taken to. I have read mediocre stories that were still a pleasure to read because of the "world building" the author did. Personally, I'd love to visit Oz, Wonderland, or a galaxy far far away. And who wouldn't want to see Narnia or J.K. Rowling's version of England? I am fascinated by the word created by Rachel Caine in her Great Library series, though I'm not sure it sounds like a pleasant place to be. Arrakis from Frank Herbert's Dune holds the same intrigue. In short, create me a world different from my own, with its own mythology, its own cosmology, its own legends and history, and I'll gladly pay it a visit.
Phillip Davis
Thanks for the question. There were lots of great children's Christmas books when I was growing up. I remember "The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas" (John Barrett.) I loved "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" too. A couple really wonderful ones that weren't around when I was "little" are "The Polar Express" (Chris Van Allsburg) and "The Mitten" (Jan Brett.) How about you?
Phillip Davis
I've got a lot of unfinished projects I might return to. I haven't decided which one I am going to crack open first, but it's going to be something very different than Peppermint Lightning.
Phillip Davis
Write all the time. Don't worry about perfection. Read as much as you can get your hands on in many genres or on as many topics as you can.
Phillip Davis
Creating worlds. Creating characters. Finding solutions to problems. Seeing where the story goes. Knowing that I get to share my story with someone else.
Phillip Davis
I just write. Simple as it seems, I find that just making myself write something and not paying attention to how "good" it is can sometimes clear the clog and get the ideas flowing again. If that doesn't work, after giving it a good try, I walk away, find something else to do, and return to it again later.
Phillip Davis
Lots of things inspire me. I read a lot. I pay attention to the world around me whether that means people I see, television or movies, or current events. I ask a lot of questions.
Phillip Davis
I have always believed that there is a certain magic about Christmas that is hard to define. I wanted to find a way to describe it as a real force, one that could be influenced by the kindness, generosity, creativity, and goodwill of people. I envisioned the spirit as moving like lightning and behaving like electricity. From there, it was a matter of building the story around the force itself. I thought it was important to include iconic Christmas characters like snowmen, reindeer, elves, and gingerbread men.
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