Interview With Author Daniel Opitz
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m almost at the age where I have reached the answer to the universe, life, and everything (42), and have finally published something creative to the world, this year, after decades of trying! I’ve written 3 books so far, but only one is published. The rest (and hopefully one more) will come in the near future =)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Breathe’ – it was inspired by an outpouring of poetry I wrote, and the philosphical outlooks I took over a number of years, after experiencing a long period of trauma. The book witnesses the journey of healing, and it was and is my hope that it will assist others going through hard times, or at least, provide companionship through them.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I suppose, I tend to ‘free-write’ a fair bit. When writing poetry, I must adopt an oppositional mindset to that of when editing and structuring; I find nature, and all things that encompass humanness, to be great muses for that. I would recommend looking at a leaf and considering it, for instance, to encourage a different perspective with which to experience and describe it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Interestingly enough, as my current genre(s) don’t reflect it, I am inspired by classical and fantasy authors! Raymond E. Feist is probably my most-read author; his characters are now old friends.
What are you working on now?
A book about the healing methods and mindsets I used to get from the beginning of ‘Breathe’ to the end of it, and beyond! It was hard work going from a very dark place to a balanced one, with a sunny outlook wherever it can be found, and I wish to help others to help themselves do the same. Thus, coming soon is a (yet-to-be-titled-pending-royal-rumbles-with-beta-readers-and-editor) self-help book on healing, with a deep focus on spirituality, and how it works upon our biology to assist our psychology.
Honestly, the book makes more sense than that description. You should totally follow my AMZ Author page so you know when it’s out, and can read it. xD
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to this! So far, it has been word-of-mouth!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Don’t edit yourself before the words are on the screen, or paper. If it makes you feel better – plan your sections and characters, or plots. But don’t prevent yourself from trying for fear of failure, schedule time to work and honour it, and schedule time to NOT work, and similarly honour that.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Defeat is a state of mind; no one is very defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality.’ – Bruce Lee
And perhaps, Michael Jordan – ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take’
What are you reading now?
Currently reading Alan Watts, ‘This Is It’ – A collection of essays on zen spirituality.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the final edits and design of the book on healing, creating some more poetry from observing nature and the state of ‘being’, and having some time off before heading back into more study early next year!
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?
Ooooh, that’s a hard one. One could be tempted to pick amazing or inspiring books. One could also be tempted to pick practical books, say, 3 or 4 about surviving being stranded on a desert island. I’d probably pick Raymond E. Feist’s original trilogy (Magician, Silverthorn, A Darkness at Sethanon), for escapism, then another book on how to survive on a desert island!
Author Websites and Profiles
Daniel Opitz’s Social Media Links