Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in the shire county of Northamptonshire, in the heart of England, and even as a child I was accused of having a ‘weird and disturbed’ imagination, but this was a good thing, right?
Unlike a majority of my early peers – who tended towards stories involving superheroes and space roving astronauts – I was drawn towards the darker side of fiction.
Having failed my primary childhood ambition of becoming a werewolf, or vampire (either would have done), I’ve now set to crafting stories of haunted places, shape-shifting monsters, and other monstrosities that make real our nightmares by way of interdimensional rifts, genetic manipulation, and via the curse of ancient, tainted bloodlines.
I am the author of two novels, four novellas, and three short-story collections.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is titled The Strange Case at Misty Ridge, and it is – at least in part – inspired by a house my family lived in when I was a child. Although the story is a work of fiction, many of the bizarre happenings in the book correlate directly to events during our time living at Myrtle House.
There is actually a stand-alone chapter at the back of the book, wherein I talk about growing up at Myrtle House.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I drink plenty of coffee when I’m writing – probably way too much of it if I’m being honest. When I am working, I tend to write in short sprints of twenty-five minutes. This is to say: I write flat out for twenty-five minutes. Then I’ll take a ten minute break, walk about a bit, make (another) cup of coffee, make some phone calls etc. Anything that gets me out the chair for a few minutes. Then rinse-and-repeat: another sprint, another break, then so-on-and-so-forth.
Writing can be a dangerously sedentary career, so you have to manage it correctly. After I’ve completed two-or-three sprints, I’ll then take the dog out for a good hour or so. I find all of these breaks actually help my productivity. Walking through woodland with your best buddy (which in my case is a Staffordshire terrier named Ralph), it helps in processing your work, nailing down plot points and such.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I could probably list all of the usual inspirational names quoted by horror and dark fiction authors, and with good reason. I have always been an avid reader, and there are many who have played a part in inspiring me to write. If I had to pick out one primary source as an inspiration, then I’d have to go for Richard Matheson. The guy was a genius storyteller.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second draft of a novel titled The Lords of Always, and although it doesn’t directly relate to The Strange Case at Misty Ridge, there are certainly aspects that tie the two stories together.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, until recently I’d never really bothered doing a lot of promotion – I know, my bad! Although, I am a Goodreads author, and I do like to participate on that site, both as a reader and writer.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The amount of people that say to me, “I’d love to write a book, but I just don’t seem to have the time.” Seriously, sit your ass in the chair and write. It’s the only way to get things done.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively”
– Bob Marley
What are you reading now?
The Fisherman by John Langan. I’m really enjoying the book, although I’m guessing John is a fan of Moby Dick.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I need to finish the second draft of The Lords of Always, while at the same time devoting some effort towards getting The Strange Case at Misty Ridge the attention I feel it deserves. I’m really pleased with the story, so it’d be a shame to let it flounder then sink beneath the millions of other books on Amazon.
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?
Hell House by Richard Matheson; Children of Chaos by Greg F. Gifune; and Jerusalem by Alan Moore, which I haven’t read yet, but it is set in my home town, and it’s also a pretty thick volume that’d take a while to read – so likely a good choice if I’m going to be shipwrecked for a while.
Author Websites and Profiles
David Brian Website
David Brian Amazon Profile
David Brian’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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