Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is D.L. Hodges. I’m twenty-five years married and have four children. I live in Barrie, Canada, where I work in the financial services. I have been in this career for nearly sixteen years after having spent fifteen years as a police officer. When not working, I enjoy long walks on the beach, cloudless nights…sorry, that is for my dating profile. I do enjoy listening to music and hiking, but mostly I love to travel. I started late and am trying to make up for lost time. I have written one novel, to date, titled ‘Fissures’.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As I mentioned, my title of my current novel is ‘Fissures’. To explain what inspired it, I have to give a bit of history. Unlike many authors’ bios I’ve read, I didn’t grow up loving to read or write. Yes, I started writing at a young age, but that would be school assignments and, later, notes to my children. In fact, I could count on one hand, and three fingers of my second hand, the books I had read over the years. Sports was my passion when I was younger. That all changed in early 2012. My wife, who does read, every night, had picked up a bag of novels to read. As she read, I lay beside her counting the stiples on the ceiling. Finally I grabbed a book, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and started reading it. That was in April. By October, I had read twenty-two books – everything from Lamb, by Christopher Moore, to the Game of Thrones. In late October I had a revelation for my book. Within thirty minutes I had written the synopsis, had all the main characters and completed the prologue (which, in the book, is almost as originally written). The idea for the novel came to me with such clarity that I felt compelled to write, so I did.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My spot for writing is in my family room. I slouch comfortably in the sofa with my feet on a table in the middle of the room, the laptop sits on my stomach or pelvis, my headphones are on and I listen to music. According to my wife it looks like torture but the bends and contortions seem to get my creative juices flowing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t think my reading is wide or in-depth enough to have been influenced by any particular author or book. I will say my sister, who has written for many years and won short story competitions, though never published, has influenced me by becoming my editor.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a novel about two brothers who grow up in the same family environment only to become completely different people. It is a story which studies the question of nature vs nurture and the resilience of the human spirit.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is a diffucult question for me to answer. I was late to the promotion part of the writing process. I published my book and presently am in the process of learning the different avenues for promotion. From a sales perspective, I have participated in a book fare and an author’s signing which both proved to work. While my sales were decent, I’m still searching for a longer term approach to promoting my novel. I have been told that getting reviews is very helpful; however, I’m having a difficult time getting reviews (though the ones received, to date, have been very positive).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Promote early, promote wide, promote often.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Show, don’t tell.
What are you reading now?
Currently, I’m not reading anything; however, I will soon be starting the Bishop’s Man by Linden McIntyre.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the novel I’m currently working on then go on a different tangent for my next project. Of course that won’t be for awhile.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Hopefully I haven’t read it, yet. To this point, though, I would say ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
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