Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a high school and college English teacher who has lived in St. Louis, Missouri for most of my life. I have written two young adult novels: Spiked: A Rock and Roll Redemption Story, and A Season in Absurdica: A Rock and Roll Underground Story. I am currently working on a novella that features a girl protagonist, for a change. I am a lifelong lover of all music, but particularly rock and roll. My first clear memory is of me sitting on an old black packing crate in my older brother’s attic bedroom, listening to David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album, checking out the alluring album cover. I seriously thought he was from outer space. I am also a big believer in living an active, healthy life–eating well, getting out on the mountain bike, hiking.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Spike: A Rock and Roll Redemption Story is my first. I wrote it in part as therapy, trying to work out how to live a happy life with so many arrogant jerks in the world. You barely have to do much more than live one day before you encounter the toxic, power-hungry people I’m talking about, whose dominance-oriented attitude sucks all the joy out of life–yours and theirs. I’ve been lucky to know a lot of other people, too, whose constant positivity, kindness, and high-spirited-ness make the jerks of this world look small and petty. Jason Stiles, one of my main character, is that type of person. He is based on several people I knew in college.
A Season in Absurdica: A Rock and Roll Underground Story is my second. It was inspired by all the weirdos I knew of in high school. I was not one of them, but instead an over-serious jock. I distinctly remember one spring evening in my senior year, when I was riding my bicycle down this creepy, tree-shaded road. I passed this old house, where I saw about a dozen freaky kids from my high school–punks, goths–gathering on the porch, laughing and joking around. They were probably getting ready to go see the Rocky Horror Picture Show in St. Louis. Something about their laughter suggested they enjoyed life more than I did, in my perpetual jock mode. I wanted to join them, but was way too shy, so I rode on. Years later, they ended up in my novel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I am pretty busy, so I write when I can. As a teacher, I obviously get more done the summer, when my “flow” isn’t as easily broken. I don’t have a special place or anything–I just find a quiet chunk of time and camp out on the couch with my computer, like I’m doing now. As far as the writing process goes, I am an elliptical writer, and not a linear one. What I mean by that is that I do not always start at the beginning of a plot, but with a character that has emerged in my head and endeared me. Soon, I can imagine the types of situations they might find themselves in, so I put them there and let them come to life. That will lead to another scene, then another. Before long, a plot emerges from these scenes.
I am a big believer in that you should allow yourself to have fun writing the first draft. Get a little crazy, don’t worry yet about mistakes, flat language. or inconsistencies. In the same way that a guitar player plays the best solos when he’s relaxed, so the writer composes his or her best stuff when he or she lets go of technical concerns (somewhat) and just lets it flow.
As William Forrester says in Finding Forrester, “Write the first draft with your heart, the second with your head.”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jonathan Franzen, a fellow St. Louisan, is unbelievably fantastic. I am somewhat handicapped as an English teacher, as my tastes run more toward classic, or at least not-very-contemporary, works. Flannery O’Connor, which her wicked, wicked sense of humor. is my favorite writer. I discovered a real gem just out of high school in A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. It’s as outrageous a book as you could expect to find.
What are you working on now?
A novella involved a spunky, spooky, smart goth girl and her weirdo friends. Her macho football coach father would have rather had a jock boy, but as the story goes along, he will appreciate her more than he expected.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook hasn’t worked well, since it is all older people now, and my books are for young people. I in fact just opened a Twitter account today, after a few people convinced my it has a more diverse reach. Generally, I’m not a very pushy person, so I’m not a good promoter, but I realize one must promote regardless.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged by the many, many hours you will spend laboring in obscurity writing your stories early on. There is no shortcut, no matter how good you are. It takes years to develop your style and voice, Ask any singer. If you commit to putting in this hard developmental work, the whole process will get easier, and your judgment will be much better.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The hard part begins after the book is written. You have to be humble and listen to people who can help you “brand” your work. We all want to be Edgar Allan Poe, literary genius, struck by inspiration at midnight and writing a masterpiece in some dark, dingy city apartment. But humility is essential–the humility to let other people read and honestly critique what you think is a done job, critique your cover, etc. I’ve had to admit I was wrong numerous times, but this worked out for the best.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a lot of non-fiction essays right now, about politics, science, and other topics outside my comfort zone. I believe that the key to staying creatively spry is to vary your interests. You then understand life more broadly, and it shows up in a positive way in your writing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to take a deep breath, clear my mind, and put in however much time it takes to get people to find and read my novels. I think they’re worth it. I think I can also grow as a writer once I get some significant feedback on these novels.
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?
1) The Riverside Shakespeare.
2) The Bible
3) The complete works of Lord Byron
4) The complete works of Flannery O’Connor
Like I said, I’m an English teacher . . .
Author Websites and Profiles
David Brumfield Website
David Brumfield Amazon Profile
David Brumfield’s Social Media Links
Very nice. I like that you have to be humble in your writing. You stay fresh by thinking outside the box. I’d like to read your books. I find you interesting.