Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve loved books my entire life, and began writing when I was young. So far, I have written five books. Here are the titles of the first four:
Acoustic Guitar Care 101
GuitarQuotes
Market to Millions
Adventurous RV
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just finished “The Last Bucket List”, and really felt compelled to write about the need for each of us to reassess our lives at different stages. We are never a finished product, but we hope to keep growing and learning through the years. Many bucket lists focus on things we want to do when we retire. However, I wanted to write a book about setting forth the things most important to us, then practically planning out how we will manifest those values in our lives.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have not mastered the “write a little each day” pattern, but I tend to write in heavier stretches, trying to finish off one chapter at a time.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wow, so many authors, so little time.
John Grisham’s conversational patter.
Thomas Friedman’s ability to distill global concepts down to light bulb inducing morsels.
Michael Lewis’ talent to transform documentary sequences into page turning rapture.
What are you working on now?
I have a camping book/journal I would like to finish. Camping and travel has always been an important part of my family’s life.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang is certainly one of my “go to” sites. They provide great exposure and have a tremendous following!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make your writing and your book personal, in the sense of creating something that you believe in and that reflect you authentically. Don’t just write a book because you think it will sell, or because there it represents a “hot” market.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Control what you can control and don’t worry about the rest.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Homer’s “Odyssey”, and am wrapping up “Take the Stairs” by Rory Vaden.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to try develop my skills in fiction, and perhaps take a stab at a short story.
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?
1,000 Books to Read before you Die – James Mustich (because I love books about books).
The Historian – Elizabeth Kostova (history, geography, lore, what’s not to like).
Lessons for the 21st Century – Yuval Noah Harari (if I’m stranded, let’s not forget the hard-learned lessons of the recent past)
Sea Power – James Stavridis (you might as well understand the geopolitics of oceans)
Author Websites and Profiles
David Ogren Amazon Profile