Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A over protective parent! First child.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MarDale is a combination of two middle names. The first is an abbreviated version of my wife’s Marie hence “Mar”. Naturally the “Dale” is rather obvious being mine. I wanted to honor all the woman who have inspired, guided, lifted, and put me in my place over the last fifty-nine years. None has done more in molding me into an upright man than my beloved best friend and wife of thirty-five years. Geneva
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I have a an aversion to reveling my unusual writing habits.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Namely, Ray Bradbury, Truman Capote, Mark Twain, H. G. Wells, Jack London, and Charles Dickens. All of which had no formal education. None had so much as a high school diploma. It is in my opinion passion and discipline equals liberty.
What are you working on now?
Try to get this sucker off the ground and flying! If I can receive at least twenty positive reviews, then a sequel to “MarDale” will be worth working on. Bringing to the reader’s attention, “MarDale” was a combination of three years of blood, sweat, tears and lunatic fringe laughter. I have a difficult time justifying returning to the “thunder-dome” without some positive feedback
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It always pays to research book promotion methods. If an author any author believes writing your cherished masterpiece and placing it on the web, expecting instant acclaim and notoriety. Then one is either severely naive or deluded. Plan to work and study at least twice as much promoting your book as it did writing
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, take notes of “eureka” thoughts the instant they happen. Most times if lost in the short-term memory file, they’re gone forever. Remember your life experiences will be the sub-conscious influences. Do your best to destroy any filters and express on paper first then consider later. Always lay out a structured direction for your first draft. I know sounds contrary to what I just previously stated. Nevertheless, without a formulated wide range plan. Your art dies. It’s a marriage of innermost expression married with discipline.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Duck!
What are you reading now?
The oldest surviving and most intriguing manuscripts known to mankind. These ancient scripts have influence every major philosophy, religion, political landscape(s), and human endeavors for the last ten thousand years. Currently, eight of the ten most intelligent people on the face of the earth believe these incredibly old writings. They are so contentious those who profess or deny their validity, can never walk away after reading them, and not be changed!
I’m now studying a section written about the first Roman soldier this ancient Jewish founder of script has persuaded:
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m leaning towards some non-fiction work. “Truth indeed is stranger than fiction.”
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?
“How to Survive on a Deserted Island.” “Make a G.P.S distress signal out of coconuts!” “Isolation, the upside to loneliness.” and the Bible.
Author Websites and Profiles
JD Lightner Author Profile on Smashwords