MEET DAVID W. THOMPSON
David W. Thompson is an award-winning author, a native of Southern Maryland, and a graduate of University of Maryland, University College. David's love of the written word began early in life. He claims his first writing effort was "Dick and Jane" fan fiction when he was six years old- no doubt with a dark twist!
After his family and cheesecake, reading was his first love. It exposed him to people, cultures and ideas he'd never experience otherwise. Writing was a natural extension of this "out of body" experience as characters act as tour guides to their worlds, and their possibilities. He hopes to honestly convey the stories that they whisper in his ears.
When he isn't writing, Dave enjoys time with his family and grandchildren, kayaking, fishing, hiking, archery, wine-making, and pursuing his other "creative passion"- woodcarving.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK.
His Father’s Blood is the second book in what I plan to be a trilogy in the Legend of the Family Dyer series. OK, I know- a fantasy trilogy is practically a cliché now (thanks JRR), but it was apparent to me after Sister Witch that I needed three tales to bring the story of Moll Dyer to some form of closure. His Father’s Blood features John Dyer (Moll’s descendant and son of a NA shaman) and his romantic interest Ada- daughter of the local preacher. Unlike Sister Witch, the paranormal element is introduced immediately. What Moll is slow to discover about her family’s past, John has been exposed to his entire life. Familial love is abundant in both stories but what John and Ada share was sadly missing in Moll’s life. Both Dyers face an ancient evil, and impossible odds with incredible consequences.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE TITLE FOR THIS BOOK?
As family relationships are so integral to these stories, all three will reference an immediate family member who drives the plot and creates tension. In Sister Witch, the relationship between Moll and Zachary is essential to the plot. In His Father’s Blood, the foundation of John’s character is a culmination of what his father was- in contrast to his “other father”- his actual grandfather. The third book will have a “brotherly” connection.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK? IS IT PART OF A SERIES?
Moll’s story is one I’ve heard since I was a child. So many different versions of her life existed…so many oral family traditions from local folks. Her name has been denigrated for centuries- her life a sad tragedy. What happened to her was horrid and I felt (as my family was in the area during this period) it was time for Moll to find peace and her story made real.
HOW MUCH OF YOUR BOOK IS BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES OR THOSE OF SOMEONE YOU KNOW?
The time periods of both stories are ones I’ve followed, researched and appreciated. A writer cannot help but put chunks of themselves into their books. I think we can all relate to the strength derived from friends and loved ones in our weaker moments, as well as gut-wrenching betrayals from someone close to us. If not, consider it a charmed life!
WHAT KIND OF RESEARCH WENT INTO WRITING YOUR BOOK?
An incredible amount for both in the series. Less was written on the time period of the 1st book (circa 1650-1697), but there are so many words in common use now, inventions we take for granted, policies and morality that differ from then- all this made for a lot of researching and double checking. Hopefully I found all of the words or thoughts that were out of time and place. (I’m confident nobody whipped out a cell phone).
WHAT CRITERIA DID YOU USE WHEN SELECTING THE COVER FOR YOUR BOOK?
Of course, the final selection and cover creation was done by my great publisher, Solstice, but I like that so much of the story, or at least so much tension was generated while looking out of the window of John’s cabin. It represents his desire for permanence, family and normalcy.
WAS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR BOOK THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO CONVEY?
Love conquers all and only with great sacrifice is there great reward.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR BOOK?
Hmmm, there’s that one line from the spirit of Moll Dyer that’s perhaps not appropriate to the period…but then, who can say? Place isn’t restrictive to spirits, why should time be?
IF YOUR BOOK WOULD BE MADE INTO A FILM, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY THE LEADS?
John Dyer played by Alex Pettyfer
Ada Hartman played by Imogen Poots
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU BEGIN WRITING?
Oh my…so many years ago as a cathartic release… My bio says since doing Dick and Jane (remember them?) fan fiction and that’s probably nearest the truth. I’ve always loved reading and writing since I sounded out a curse word off of a tagged building. (My Mom suggested I ask Dad what that “F word” meant).
WHEN DID YOU FIRST CONSIDER YOURSELF A WRITER?
I’ve always been a private writer- since Sister Ursula Marie introduced me to those three lined sheets of paper (that few may remember) to practice upper- and lower-case letters. A public writer for only a few years.
DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE.
I am mostly “pantser” in that I have a general idea where I’m going with the story (and have plot notes all around), I find the twists and turns favored by my characters and whispered in my ears at night seldom follow my pre-ordained storyline. Then off we go…!
WHAT IS THE HARDEST LESSON YOU HAD TO LEARN AS A WRITER?
Fear tends to create a passive voice and passive voice sucks!
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A WRITER?
Motivation and fear of rejection (I suppose we all have that in common).
NOT INCLUDING FAMILY, WHO SUPPORTED YOUR EFFORTS TO BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR?
Well, I know this isn’t actually an answer to your question or not to the parameters you’ve set, but my Mom. She left us ten years ago (and left a hollowness that won’t go away). I’d written Sister Witch and submitted it to several publishers- to universal rejections…but one editor did me the favor of actually saying what they did/did not like. I used her suggestions and revamped Moll’s tale…but then I sat on the manuscript for over a year. My dear Mom visited me in a dream and suggested it was time to resubmit. I did so- to 4 publishers. Three of them offered contracts and I withdrew it from the fourth. I cannot imagine more support than from beyond our realm.
WHO WAS YOUR FIRST PUBLISHER AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM?
Solstice Publishing. They are great with marketing help and advice and have created a family-like atmosphere among their authors.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WRITERS?
Keeping at it- that’is how we polish our craft. Write what you feel. In every situation, ask- what if…?
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS?
Tolkien, Thoreau, Camus, Daniel Keyes, Peter Straub
WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW?
A book by King and one by Cassondra Windwalker.
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Nothing…I’m a manly man…<<sniff>> OK, well the dreaded “Ds”: Desertion, death, duplicity and of course- there’s always demons!
IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE WHO EVER LIVED, PAST OR PRESENT, WHO WOULD THAT BE?
HD Thoreau
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS AND MOVIES?
Walking Dead and Fear of…, Game of Thrones, American Horror Story, Mr. Mercedes
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC TOUCHES YOUR SOUL?
I have very eclectic taste in music. Depending on my mood (or needs), I may listen to Pop, head-banger, country or classic rock. Heck, even classic classical. LOL
WHAT DO YOU WANT WRITTEN ON YOUR HEADSTONE?
Oh geez! Never gave this much thought as I figure on being crispy fried (sorry, not morbid- just don’t see the body as hallowed after the spirit departs its host). Maybe “He played the cards he was dealt” or “He discharged his responsibilities with honor.”
Moll Dyer wants to leave her troubles behind when she immigrates to the New World... but even an ocean cannot keep the Dyer family curse from following her! Wanting only to find peace, she fights injustice in a new land founded on tolerance, but ruled by bigotry.
The demonic force that's cursed the Dyer family for generations has returned even stronger! Defeated by Moll Dyer a century earlier, the demon Laris lays claim to another Dyer child. Homesteading on Devil's Peak, skin-walking shaman John Dyer must fight to save his bloodline. Can the Dyers stand against the horrific desires of a centuries-old demon? Can their faith in each other overcome the evil pitted against them?
You knew this was coming. Hell, we all did...In a post-apocalyptic world, teen-aged Jeremy rushes to come of age even as alcoholic Morgan tries to reclaim his lost manhood and forgotten humanity. Jeremy's sister Alicia is a young girl with a teddy bear under her arm...and the heart of a lion beating in her chest. Can this unlikely trio tame the horrors of this new world?