Interview With Author Stu Duncan
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the forest of Ontario, Canada, on the edge of a lake. I was never able to decide what I wanted to do when I grew up and it is getting a little late to make that decision. I have been a skydiver, barefoot water-skier, paramedic, college teacher, software developer, chemist, fisherman, pilot, aircraft builder, and an author. Those are the things I remember.
I studied at Niagara College, Waterloo University, McMasterUniversity, Brock University, and the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico.
I have flown the plane I built, a two-seater STOL (Short Take Off Landing) aircraft, from coast to coast in Canada. In 2020 I added floats to my plane.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Rosa and the Prion – Native Without a Tribe”. When I was teaching at a college, one of my students asked if I was native. I asked him why he asked and he said, “The way you are turning grey is called Eagle Feathers”. This started a search into my roots, which led me to my great-great grandmother, who left her reserve to raise 6 children with my grandfather. Like my heroine, Rosa, I was raised in the white man’s world and knew nothing about my actual roots.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t experience writer’s block. I do experience a shortage of time in a busy life.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Literally tens of thousands of books. When I was learning to read as a child and was whining to mom about how much I hated reading, she said, “Stuart, you are going to love reading.” She was absolutely “write” in ways she didn’t imagine.
What are you working on now?
Robot Wife. The title explains a lot. This book was prompted by a terrible movie my wife and I struggled through one Saturday evening about a man falling in love with his blow-up doll. It got me thinking along a different line about a robot wife.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote my books through my own website and the kind people who run sites such as Awesome Gang.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t quit your day job. If you are in it to make money, there are much better, more reliable ways to earn an income. I write because I have been a storyteller since childhood. My wife always comments, after reading my latest effort, “How does all of that stuff come out of your brain?” She loves the romance parts, but hates my bad guys. I have a background in psychology and draw my antagonists from that. The real world has far more evil people than the ones coming out of writer’s minds.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up. Never go back. Always be polite. Yours friends will continue to like you. Your enemies will go crazy.
What are you reading now?
Wow! I just realized that I haven’t started reading another book in a week.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My home needs a new roof and I like to do my own work. So I won’t be getting a lot of writing done this summer. Ok, that wasn’t really what’s next as a writer, but it was a dose of reality. Next step will be to finish Robot Wife which is about 40% done. I am at a junction with the story which can go off in one of several directions and I spend my insomnia time exploring each, deciding which will make the best 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?
I would take Swiss Family Robinson. My grade 5 teacher read us this story during our lunch hours. It fascinated me. Sadly, now as a retired biologist, I fear that the wonderment will no longer be there.
The Old Man and the Sea held me spellbound.
Two short stories: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I wish that I had written it.
Leinegen versus the ants. A terrifying short tale.
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