Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is David Fitz-Gerald. I’m a business person from Vermont and I have written two historical novels.
I refer to myself as an amateur author, and I make a point of contrasting myself with the atheist activist author of the same name. I enjoy getting lost in the settings I imagine and spending time with the characters I create. I have taken to referring to the main character of my most recent book as my “imaginary friend.” I think that writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. I love to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the home of transporting the reader to another time and place. I am an Adirondack 46-er, which means that I have hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so don’t be surprised when I attempt to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes.
I refer to myself as an amateur author. There is atheist activist author by the same name,
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Wanders Far-An Unlikely Hero’s Journey. I started writing it while I was waiting for my editor to finish her work on my first book. At first I was inspired to tell the legendary story of how Whiteface, the 1980 Olympic mountain near Lake Placid, New York got its name. My brother Jeff told me that I should write a book like the ones I enjoyed growing up. As a kid, I read every book about Native American heroes I could find, heroes like Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Geronimo, Tecumseh, and Sacajawea. I also read westerns, from the Louis L’Amour catalog to James Michener’s Centennial. With my brother’s encouragement in mind, I came to think, “Maybe I could do that.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t claim to have unusual writing habits. I like to write with coffee, early in the morning. I like to work with a highly organized outline. When I’m developing a story, or a part of a story, I’ll have it on my mind while I’m falling asleep, while I’m getting my 10,000 steps, and while I’m commuting to work. I travel for business, and sometimes I’ll work on writing all crumpled up on airplanes, like a tyrannosaurus. I often credit my writing abilities to my noise-cancelling headphones!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite book is Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo. I also loved the Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean Auel. I was also greatly influenced by James Michener, Louis L’Amour, and Larry McMurtry. And I still have a soft spot for the Trumpet of the Swan, by E.B. White, even after all these years.
What are you working on now?
My current book is the first in what I’m calling the Adirondack Spirit Series. I’ve got several future installments of that series at various stages of development. My plan is to continue forward through the generations, telling the stories of the descendants of Wanders Far and the lives they lead, in the Adirondack mountains of New York State.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hoping this one is! I love the name of it, and I’m hoping Wanders Far will be a big hit with the members of the Awesome Gang.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Early this year I spent an enormous amount of time learning about book marketing. I’ve come to appreciate that helping your creative work find an audience requires a very active marketing effort. I think it needs as much time as the rest of the process put together, and as big a budget as the rest as well. Of course I’d recommend my editor, my cover designer, and my audio book narrator, so if anyone would like those contacts, please reach out to me!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve been blessed to receive lots of great advice through the years. “Don’t put it off” is always good advice. Contemplating this question in this moment, I’m thinking of the lyrics in Martina McBride’s song called Anyway, from 2006. Maybe I could add a verse or two to that song…
What are you reading now?
Lately I’ve been focusing on reading indie books by newer authors, and trying to expand beyond my ordinary favorite sub/sub/sub genre’s. I’ve recently completed Song of Songs by Marc Graham, and Fortress of the Sun: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Corinth by E.M. Thomas. The next book on my shelf is The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After a couple of months dedicated to marketing my current book, I look forward to working on the next installment in my series. I am psyched to write the last book in the series, I’ve got that practically written in my head. I also can’t wait to write an installment set between the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. However, I think it makes sense to place those projects on the back burner, and let them simmer, while I work my way forward chronologically. So I think my next project will feature the great-grandson of Wanders Far and will be set in pre-colonial New York State, in the 1200s.
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?
Hm. This question made me wonder, so I googled it. There’s actually several books by different authors called How to Survive on a Deserted or Desert Island. I think I’d like to have one that would tell me how to filter water, which plants could be eaten, and other practical tips. If I could add enjoyable books to the island bookshelf, I would bring Sacajawea, Lonesome Dove, Centennial, and The Clan of the Cave Bear, by Anna Lee Waldo, Larry McMurtry, James Michener, and Jean Auel.
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