An Interview With Davin Malasarn...and a Contest!

Today I'm honored to present an in-depth interview with Davin Malasarn.  For those unfamiliar with Davin, he's one of the talented trio working diligently at The Literary Lab.  Davin recently self-published his book The Wild Grass and after reading it myself, I just had to learn more about this awesome writer.  I've always been a fan of Davin, but reading through his collection of short stories has significantly elevated my opinion of the man.  Thankfully, I got the opportunity to know him a little better and I'd like to share the conversation with all of you.

Eric: First off, I want to welcome you to Working My Muse.  It's a true honor and pleasure.  But tell me Davin, how did you get started in this writing game?

Davin:  When I was a younger student my teachers convinced me that I was a bad writer. I was downgraded to some sub-standard English track in Junior High. One of my teachers at the time, Mr. P, was a man who had a reputation for being "strange" and wasn't very liked by a lot of students. One day in class he made us discuss a poem. All I remember about it was that it involved a father and son and some emotional tension. My interpretation of it differed from everyone else in the class, and so I decided once again that I just didn't understand English. But this teacher came up to me and said I actually understood the poem better than anyone. And he knew that because he had written the poem himself. I think that was the first time I learned to trust myself when it came to English. That teacher committed suicide the following summer. Only years later did I come to understand that he seemed "strange" probably because he was gay.  The poem about the father and son took on a different meaning for me then, and I really saw much more value in writing as a result of it. Although I hadn't actually written anything creative yet, I understood how important it was for people to communicate from the heart. That need to communicate got me started. I see writing as part of a bigger dialog.

Eric:  Wow, what an interesting way to find your way into the writing world.  Having studied a few other languages (and having gone to the relevant countries), I sympathize with the difficulties you had with English.  The Wild Grass is an intriguing jaunt through your cultural background.  And while I enjoyed every story, there were aspects of some I had difficulty relating to.  Did you have any concerns in this regard as you were writing them?

Davin:  As a teenager--and if I'm honest I still do it now--I would always answer "America" when people asked where I was from. Some of those people thought I answered that way to show that I somehow escaped my parents' impoverished life in Thailand. But the truth was that I knew so little about my culture that I felt like I was offending Thailand when I said I was from there. 

Though I've made more of an effort to familiarize myself with my Thai roots, I still feel far away from it. That puts me in an odd place when I write about Thai culture, or any culture, for that matter. Sometimes I bring my lack of understanding to my stories because that sense of confusion is part of the story's experience for me. Sometimes I present different cultures in a more matter-of-fact way, or in a ridiculous way in the case of "Red Man, Blue Man", because I'm curious to see if the heart of the story can still come through, even if specific details about time and place are unfamiliar. So, the cultural aspect is something I'm concerned about, but I'm still experimenting with it to see what works and what doesn't.


Eric:  I really have to respect your honesty and the fact that you didn't feel it would be right to attribute who you are to being raised in Thailand.  That is a mark of distinction.  Speaking of experimenting though, this is your first journey into self publishing, right?  Any horror stories, laughs or tips you can share with us?


Davin:  I kind of feel like I'm fumbling the entire self-publishing thing. I'm not very good at it. (Hey, buy my book!) My goal when I published was to let people know that the book existed. I figured once that happened people could decide on their own whether they want to buy the book or not. I didn't ask for reviews. I didn't organize a blog tour. I was insecure and shy. 

I realize now that people need much more information as they decide on what books they want to read. There are so many options out there! I wish I had more visibility so that I could let people know what was inside the book. That visibility is hard to come by. At this point, I'm just grateful that the people who have read it are sending me really personal and touching emails about it. I'm grateful when people give my books to other people or let other people borrow them. Going in, I didn't expect to sell many copies, so I'm also grateful that at least some people are giving it a chance.

The one thing I think I did right, though, was that I set an actual goal of how many books I wanted to sell. I was aiming for 100 books sold, and I'm content that I reached that goal. I calmed down a lot after that. Now, I just really value every additional sale. If or when I do this again, I do plan to put more energy up front into the promotion. I haven't yet figured out how I can do that well and in a way that's not annoying, but I'm working on it.

Eric:  Self-publication is a bit scary for me to be honest.  You really are opening yourself up to celebration and/or criticism, especially given the expectation pushed on us to publish traditionally only.  You've done a great job however, achieving the goal you set.  And I can vouch that the book is exactly what one should expect from a published work, no matter how it gets there.  Now that you've gone the route of self publication though, do you think you'll continue in this vein or do you see yourself embracing both traditional and self publishing?

Davin:  You know, given everything I just said, I have to say the idea of self-publishing my future books is still really tempting. I love the idea of being in control of the entire process, from the cover design, to the layout, to the editorial decisions. I'm interested in trying some different approaches as far as how I will make my books available. I have some crime-based novellas, for example, that are pretty dark and quite a departure from what I usually write. I thought I'd just give them to whoever asked me for them rather than putting them up for sale in any official way. (Although I haven't committed to that yet.) Self-publishing gives me that freedom to be creative in how the books are released. But there are two big obstacles that I am still dealing with. The first is that I haven't figured out how to self-promote my work very well yet. I think I'll be frustrated if none of my books sell. Second, I'm not completely happy with the print quality of self-published books. The cutting and gluing aren't always as clean. I'd really love to be able to self-publish a book that is of higher quality physically. I also want the ability to do things like matte covers or box sets. I don't mind paying for those things, but I sense that visibility will be an even bigger issue if I leave the main self-publishing companies. Traditional publishing is still a great way to do things, so I'm not closed to it at all. I just haven't been in the mood to submit anything to agents or small presses lately.

Eric:  Well, I can definitely see the appeal to controlling all those aspects of your book.  It's a daring move in some respects, but if you're successful (as you seem to be so far), it's worth it.  Now that I've read a taste of your works though, I'm dying to read more.  Care to provide any hints of what you're working on now?

Davin:  As far as writing goes, I'm working on a novel about a group of people who are selected to live forever. It has a sci-fi aspect to it that lets me use a bit of my scientific background (yes, the 11 years of extra schooling are finally paying off!). It's narrated by a very direct woman named Jacqueline, and it includes a lot of scenes with a fictional Dalai Lama. What I'm liking most about the book is that I'm getting to discuss a lot of issues that the world is currently dealing with: religion, terrorism, the internet, scientific advancement, conservation. At the same time I'm able to mix these issues up with more day-to-day issues like not getting enough sleep and being around the same people for years and years and years--the slice-of-life material that I love to read myself. It's a mish mash, and I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Eric:  It sounds like an interesting story.  Including the Dalai Lama really puts a neat cultural spin on things.  The inclusion of those worldly issues will make for some interesting reading too.  I'm always interested in seeing how different writers approach those topics because the perspectives can be so unique.  Well, I'd like to thank you for stopping by.  It has been fun dancing through your world for a bit.

Davin is a writer from Los Angeles, CA. In 2008, he was a PEN Center USA Emerging Voices Fellow. He has been a finalist for Glimmer Train's Very Short Fiction Contest, first runner-up in Opium Magazine's 500-word Memoir Contest, and two of his stories were nominated for Pushcart Prizes. He is also a staff editor at SmokeLong Quarterly.

As for all my readers, you're in luck today.  Davin has graciously agreed to gift two lucky individuals with a copy of his book The Wild Grass.  Since I've never been one to shy away from holding a contest, I jumped at the chance.  And as always, this one is easy to enter.  Just drop a comment below and you'll be entered.  The contest will run until midnight on August 30th.  The following day I will announce two randomly drawn winners and we'll get your respective details over to Davin.  Good luck to everyone.  You don't want to miss out on a copy of this book.  It is a true pleasure to read.

Contest Winner - Tere

I held a contest not too long ago celebrating my 100th post, and Tere was able to answer faster than a keen-eyed hawk snatching a mouse. She chose a personal interview as her prize (rather than subject us lowly mortals to her outstanding wit as a guest blogger or subject her WiPs to my skills as beta reader/editor), so here is a quick view into her world.

When did you begin your journey as an author? Did you just wake up one morning and decide to write or was it an idea building in the back of your mind for some time?

When I was fifteen or maybe younger, I started writing YA fantasy. So yes, I wrote YA fantasy before it was cool. Of course, I was a pantser then, and most of my ideas were X-men type knock-offs or were-wolf stories or something a little too close to an Anne McCaffrey planet or Lloyd Alexander's Prydain for comfort. I only actually finished one of those, so I suppose that's why, when I started writing again, I became more of a plotter.

It wasn't until after this little storm we had here in the city that I decided not to put off writing again any longer and an idea just started to come to me. You never know what the future will hold, so don't put off writing. It's easy and can be done anywhere you can put pen to paper or fingers to keys. Please don't write your novel on your Palm Pre in the middle of rush hour traffic, though. We writers get enough flack from normal people.

Describe your writing process? Do you like to outline first or do you build the story as you go?

I'm definitely a plotter, but I wouldn't go so far as saying I'm an outliner. While the pivotal scenes are pretty clear in my head, the rest is written as I go, or as I think of what to write next based on how my characters are developing. I sometimes skip ahead and write these pivotal scenes down; they become goals to catch up with to keep me writing. Whenever I overtake one of these scenes I feel like I've really accomplished something, and it makes it easier to believe that I'll soon have a finished first draft. They sometimes need a little editing when I get to them, or are even changed drastically if the story calls for it.

I never fear editing like that, and the surprises that come up, the unexpected turns and twists and complex subplots, are what make the writing fun and keep it fresh for me. I never start writing a story before I at least know how the main character is going to change, but even I don't always know the sum experiences that change said character until the first draft is done.

Who is your favorite literary character (either one of your own or someone else's) and why do they appeal to you?

This may sound weird, but Max from Where the Wild Things Are is my favorite if he counts as a literary character. With only a pair of pajamas and his imagination, he's King of the Wild Rumpus in the land of the Wild Things and back in his bed before morning. I'm dying to see the movie.

Who would you say your greatest writing influences are?

Reading Anne McCaffrey, Heinlen, Bruce Coville and even Anne Rice made me want to be a fantasy writer. Hmm, looking back on it now, I suppose reading Anne Rice at the impressionable age of thirteen probably steered me toward the paranormal and explains a lot about my current WiP. As I read more and more contemporary Young Adult fantasy, I've been taking inspiration and writing tips from authors like Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfeld and Suzanne Collins. Writing contemporary YA is a tricky business but these authors do it with flair, great storytelling and perfect pacing.

You've said before that you're new to the blogging world. What are your thoughts to blogging as a whole, as well as how it impacts your writing?

I used to be addicted to agent blogs. It's great that aspiring authors can finally hear from overworked agents in a relaxed, informal setting that can be both informative and entertaining. Since I've had my own blog, what I get most out of the experience is the knowledge that there are so many other unpublished writers out there enduring the same trials of writing-- editing, submitting, editing again, and finally giving up and starting over-- that I am. Just knowing that others, including published authors, have the same worries gives me hope. To outsiders, non-writers, it might seem odd that I would sympathize so deeply with people who at first glance would appear to be the competition. But other blogging writers have taught me more than just writing tips; they are the ones who taught me perseverance, confidence, and faith.

You're in the process of submitting works to agents/editors/publishers now. How do you feel about the whole process?

So sick of it. I'm actually about to put Evangeline out to pasture. It's hard when your betas love something, but you just can't get an agent to love it the way they do. It's a tough business when even the crafting of a simple query can make you second-guess the quality of your completed novel. It is at once the most thrilling and soul-crushing experience. Reading agent blogs does make the whole process seem less daunting, more human. It is my least favorite part of the writing process, but after shopping around my third book, I am getting used to it.

What's your chosen genre? What makes it appealing to you as a writer?

Lately all my stories seem to come out as YA Paranormal Romances. For some reason I can't write reality. Not sure if I even want to. This wasn't a genre when I was in high school, back in the days before they cracked the human genome and boy bands roamed the Earth. Sci-fi and fantasy were my favorite books to read as a teen, but there was something I always found a little dated about the books written before I was born that filled the shelves of my podunk high-school library. Still not sure how I ever survived before the invention of Amazon. The appeal is also in the unknown, and the ability to explore the limits of my creativity.

What's your favorite color and why? (see, you didn't really think I'd ask that, huh?)

It changes every few years. Right now it's turquoise. I like it because it's bright-- but not too bright-- uplifting, and plays well with lots of other colors. It used to be blue, then pink, then green...

Any hints of what works you currently have in progress?

The novel I'm currently plowing my way through-- seriously, I've never written anything so fast in my life-- is still untitled. It started out with only a hint of paranormal and no romance, but now it is thoroughly YA paranormal romance. I'm doomed to a life of writing star-crossed teenage lovers, it seems. I've been trying to figure out a plot for a sci-fi novel, but that is so back burner I don't even have characters yet, just a vague and incomplete setting/conflict concept, nothing to write yet. While paranormal comes easy, writing sci-fi is like shoving my brain through a meat grinder and sifting for crumbs of story. Okay, maybe it's more like panning for dilithium crystals.

Any lessons learned you want to share with the rest of us?

Even if you think your manuscript is ready to pitch to literary agents, wait a little while longer than you think. Send it out one last time to a reader. Make sure you're sure, because you may not get a second chance with the agents who request pages.

And while it might seem egotistical to think that your manuscript is the best thing since The Kite Runner, it doesn't hurt to be proud of your work. Just be open to the realization that the same manuscript you once thought would be a best-seller, might seem mediocre the next day. Even after countless rejections, every time I start a new project I think, THIS IS THE ONE. And because I'm learning, and growing and practicing and thinking critically about my work, who knows? This time, it just might be.

Thanks Eric, this was fun, and mostly painless. Except for the parts when I remembered my thirteen year old self reading Anne Rice. *shudders* That explains so much...



Thank you Tere, for letting us see where you're coming from. It's always really interesting to hear about writing from other viewpoints, other perspectives. I particularly like your thoughts on lessons learned. There's some good nuggets there we can all take away.

Interview With Julie Korzenko

Julie Korzenko is the author of the delightful book Devil's Gold. I have a review of this book forthcoming, but I was lucky enough to get an interview with Julie. She is from 'across the pond', but she's settled down here in the southern US (and we're quite happy to have her). The book is thrilling, well written, and I for one am looking forward to more from this fine author. Here's what she had to say in our quick question and answer session:

Devil's Gold is situated in two distinctly different locales. Have you had the opportunity to visit either Yellowstone or the Niger Delta, or did you have to do a great deal of research for the book?

Jackson, Wyoming is one of my favorite places in the entire world. I spent several days exploring Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Forest, and it stamped an indelible visual image on my brain. The Niger Delta, however, was all done through research. It is a tumultuous region, and I'm nowhere near as brave as Cassidy. In addition, I'm a starving artist so the cost of a trip to Africa was a bit steep for my budget.

The main character Cassidy is an unusual heroine, not what one might expect for a female lead. You were actually asked to change her prior to publication, correct? What was it about the character that made you stick to your guns? How hard was it for you to stand firm on the issue?

I was told by a large publishing house that she wasn't kick-ass and, therefore, unsaleable. It was very hard for me to stand firm on not rewriting, because I am of the opinion that editors and agents know what's what and listening to sound advice is the appropriate thing to do. It really went against every grain of common sense I had. But I listened to my inner-self -- the creative voice because that's where the heart of my character lives. In the end, rewriting felt incredibly wrong. I was afraid my keyboard would go up in flames. I stuck to my guns, but, it wasn't easy.

You seem to have a number of projects in the works across multiple genres. Describe your writing process and how you manage so many stories at once? Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration surrounds me. An entire story can be sparked by a stranger's simple remark on the weather. I have serious genre ADD which is not necessarily a good thing. Because I have always read across all genres, I think my mind is incapable of limiting itself to one particular area. What I will add is that no matter what I'm writing...all my work contains "thriller" aspects.I work full time so the physical process of putting words on the screen is done Friday through Sunday. The rest of the week is spent in "virtual" writing, twisting my plots and mentally laying out what will be put on paper over the weekend. As a new story sparks, I am very strict with myself and put down the skeleton of the plot and then focus right back on the manuscript I'm currently wrapping up. I find that the nearer I get to the end on my current work the more stronger the pull is from the next manuscript...which is definitely a good thing.

Your web page depicts a typewriter. Are you one of the few and proud authors who bang away on a typewriter? Or do you prefer the feel of a fountain pen in your hand as it glides across the page?

I love typewriters. I learned to type on one of those things! However, I am a 21st century gal and all my work is created on a PC. I do always have a journal at hand and use that to jot down ideas and new plot lines when I'm away from the keyboard. I've learned that the journal is much easier to refer to as opposed to the back of receipts and crumpled napkins.

Your passion and background with regards to animals comes through nicely in Devil's Gold. How many and what type of animals do you currently take care of?

Other than my teenagers, I have six dogs, three cats, and a slew of Koi.

Do you have any upcoming book signings or readings you'd like to make us aware of?

Currently, I am under deadline with the sequel to DEVIL'S GOLD so I don't have any signings scheduled. However, I am an active member in the International Thriller Writers Organization and have the honor of interviewing an author every month and posting that piece to the ITW monthly news bulletin. Beyond August, I will be back on the hunt for book signings.

Would you care to dole out any words of wisdom for the rest of us aspiring authors?

Well, Eric, you know that I'm a big fan of P3 - passion, perseverance and patience. I think that these three qualities are integral to becoming published. It's not an easy road to travel but stay true to your voice, work very hard at your craft and never ever give up.

Thanks Julie. I'm honored to be able to interview you, and I'm definitely a fan of your writing. Feel free to stop by anytime, and let me know when your next book is out so I can talk all about it.

Thank you Eric! Next book is ANGEL FALLS. I should have my release date within the next few weeks.