Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a full-time detective in Louisiana. I just released my first novel, The Bold and the Free. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time because I always loved writing. When I was younger and before I became a police officer, I felt I lacked the life experience to come up with good enough ideas. But much like running a marathon or climbing a mountain, I set a goal and met that goal.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Bold and the Free is a modern police story inspired by my experiences as a police officer, current events and a number of people who have touched my life in some way. I truly love the work I do because I get to make a difference in the lives of others. I’m lucky in that I get to work with a lot of great men and women who feel the same way. I got tired of reading books featuring morally corrupt police characters and felt it was time to tell a positive story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve only written one book so it’s hard for me to answer. I wouldn’t consider any of my writing habits to be unusual. I write a lot of notes and made a storyboard for my first book. That helped tremendously in terms of plot and structure. I think I would have been lost without it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dean Koontz, Elmore Leonard, Joseph Wambaugh.
What are you working on now?
I’m in the very early stages with my second book. It’s going to be another police-related novel but beyond that I only have a few rough ideas. I’m doing a lot of brainstorming and writing down a bunch of ideas, which is one of my favorite parts of the writing process.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found this part to be difficult. I’m new to this and unsure of what to do beyond telling everyone I know about the book. I’ve reached out to a bunch of other writers asking that very question!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
When I started writing, I had no idea what to do first. So I started and stopped a bunch of times. I learned all I could about the writing process and how most writers approach it. Planning became essential for me. My entire novel ended up in bullet points on index cards on a storyboard. Writing sessions became elaborating on what was already there. That made things much easier for me.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day. It sounds simple but you can’t move forward without putting words on the page. It’s kind of like exercise in that you have to get out there and put in the work. No one is going to do it for you.
What are you reading now?
Touch by Elmore Leonard.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I learned a lot with my first book and no doubt made some mistakes. My goal is to learn and get better. I would love to be able to write more but it’s hard with a family and a full-time job.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Probably the Bible and a bunch of motivational books to keep me from going insane like Tom Hanks in Castaway.
Author Websites and Profiles
D.L. Bishop Amazon Profile