Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
One. Yep. That’s it. Just one book. The Stories of Cody Bill was every entertaining midwestern catastrophe my mind could remember and recreate. I love writing random brain thoughts down for future work. I ride motorcycles. Do you ride motorcycles? haha just kidding but seriously look into it. Nothing compares. Mashed potatoes and hot wings have my heart. I grew up shy and observant, remembering every little piece of dirt people would commit. Grudges? No. I like reminding people how screwed up we all were. My curiosity is a disease and Google is the cure. I went to school for history and was just average, I like that, just Joe No Genius and his silly ideas coming to paper. There is maybe a paragraph of being serious when it comes to my book. The rest is unsupervised teenagers making incredibly bad decisions.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Stories of Cody Bill. My psychotic friends proved to me they warranted a book. Teaches too, they get zero love and we need to honor those gentle classroom giants.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write at night! Well I try to if inspiration comes. Being a morning zombie that not even coffee can cure is troublesome and some famous author said don’t trust night writers. Forget them. It’s my best time, then I can go be a night bike rider after. Promoter by day, writer by twilight.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian has no equal. I love following Sam Harris, the man is a genius. Check out 1491 if you enjoy history, the best book I’ve read in recent years. I still have an extensive list to catch up on.
What are you working on now?
A western. Dark and historically fictional, the book will span the blood spilt in Kansas and Missouri prior to the civil war. Plus Mormons, everybody loves a controversial Mormon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook. I’m small time and have a little following in my hometown.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. It gets better as you go. The process is slow and publishing is a nightmare, but just believe in your ability. Get an editor, they will turn your icky mud into gold.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never, ever give up.
What are you reading now?
The Amazons by Mayor
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my debut and writing a damn good western.
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?
Not Blood Meridian, too dark. Maybe Lord of the Flies, Harry Potter (JK is a genius) Neil Gaiman would make it and I’d have to have a Batman comic book (graphic novel) by Frank Miller
Author Websites and Profiles
D. W. Udell Website
D. W. Udell Amazon Profile
D. W. Udell’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile