Ask the Author: David J. Forsyth
Answered Questions (10)
David J. Forsyth
During decades of genealogical research, I discovered a London-born family member who, in 1834, was convicted of theft and transported to Australia for seven years. He was in the company of another teenager who was in possession of a handkerchief then valued at three shillings. While the defendant testified that he had 'found' the item laying on the pavement, the owner insisted the accused must have picked his pocket. We will never know what my ancestor actually experienced over the next seven years or so, but I am currently researching the transportation of British convicts and writing a short story based on this incident.
David J. Forsyth
As an eighteen-year-old with military first-aid training, I took charge of a pedestrian accident scene involving a four-year-old boy. As any combat veteran will tell you, "You can't unsee a thing, no matter how long you live."
David J. Forsyth
I've always been somewhat obsessed with prehistory and the mysteries of life before written language, so one fictional book world I wouldn't mind visiting is that of J. H. Rosny who wrote "The Quest for Fire" in 1911 about early human nomads and the important role that fire played in their lives. I haven't actually read the book, though it's on my list of intended reads. I did however see the 1981 movie, so I'm basing my answer on that. What would I do there?
Perhaps find out if I'm up to the challenge of surviving without all the trappings of modern civilization. Honestly, I don't think I am – too old now.
Perhaps find out if I'm up to the challenge of surviving without all the trappings of modern civilization. Honestly, I don't think I am – too old now.
David J. Forsyth
I've had a very lengthy reading list as long as I can remember, though I infrequently cross a title off the list since others are constantly coming to my attention. More importantly, I prefer to spend my time writing, and my current manuscript, an historical novel, demands a great deal of research, so this summer will be spent reading the British Library's 800 page "The History of Clerkenwell" [William J Pinks & Edward J Wood]. If I manage that by September, I'll move on to "Lost London, 1870–1945" [Philip Davies].
Together, these books will hopefully provide me with a better understanding of life in nineteenth-century Clerkenwell, London, the setting for much of my current work, tentatively titled, "Alice."
Together, these books will hopefully provide me with a better understanding of life in nineteenth-century Clerkenwell, London, the setting for much of my current work, tentatively titled, "Alice."
David J. Forsyth
My first book, "Dafydd" was inspired by my genealogical research. One day, while searching through old parish records, I thought, "Wouldn't it be fantastic if great-grandfather Geraghty had left a diary or a journal behind?" Suddenly, I became aware of the importance of recording one's life experience for subsequent generations.
My second work, "Too Cold for Mermaids," was inspired by a fifteen-year love affair with cruising on sailboats. I thought others might enjoy reading about my adventures, and perhaps find the inspiration to actively pursue their own dreams.
My work-in-progress is the story of a very special person, to whom I owe my success in life. She is my maternal grandmother and helped to shape me; she is my inspiration, and her story must be told.
My first book, "Dafydd" was inspired by my genealogical research. One day, while searching through old parish records, I thought, "Wouldn't it be fantastic if great-grandfather Geraghty had left a diary or a journal behind?" Suddenly, I became aware of the importance of recording one's life experience for subsequent generations.
My second work, "Too Cold for Mermaids," was inspired by a fifteen-year love affair with cruising on sailboats. I thought others might enjoy reading about my adventures, and perhaps find the inspiration to actively pursue their own dreams.
My work-in-progress is the story of a very special person, to whom I owe my success in life. She is my maternal grandmother and helped to shape me; she is my inspiration, and her story must be told.
David J. Forsyth
I'm currently working on my first novel though the book was originally intended to be a non-fiction narrative biography of a WWI war-bride.
While I knew the protagonist very well prior to her death in 1988, the details of portions of her life are now lost. In order to tell her story, I'll have to resort to filling in the gaps with what I believe occurred, and that makes it fiction. I've been planning the book for years, even writing bits and pieces while I was still working on "Too Cold for Mermaids," but now I've begun in earnest.
I'm currently working on my first novel though the book was originally intended to be a non-fiction narrative biography of a WWI war-bride.
While I knew the protagonist very well prior to her death in 1988, the details of portions of her life are now lost. In order to tell her story, I'll have to resort to filling in the gaps with what I believe occurred, and that makes it fiction. I've been planning the book for years, even writing bits and pieces while I was still working on "Too Cold for Mermaids," but now I've begun in earnest.
David J. Forsyth
Take Nike's advice.
Get started! You can't write at the kitchen table unless you live alone, so identify a place where you can work without interruption. You might have to set up a desk in the garage or the garden shed–it doesn't matter. On my most productive days, I work for six or seven hours without even thinking about food, though I usually have a cup of tea or snifter of Drambuie to slake my thirst. Make sure you have everything you need and then lock the door and turn your phone off. Depending on your skill level, you might have to go through a number of re-writes, but you'll know when your manuscript is ready to be read. If not, find someone who can read it objectively and critique it before you submit it to a publisher.
Take Nike's advice.
Get started! You can't write at the kitchen table unless you live alone, so identify a place where you can work without interruption. You might have to set up a desk in the garage or the garden shed–it doesn't matter. On my most productive days, I work for six or seven hours without even thinking about food, though I usually have a cup of tea or snifter of Drambuie to slake my thirst. Make sure you have everything you need and then lock the door and turn your phone off. Depending on your skill level, you might have to go through a number of re-writes, but you'll know when your manuscript is ready to be read. If not, find someone who can read it objectively and critique it before you submit it to a publisher.
David J. Forsyth
I absolutely enjoy the process of composing sentences. Does that sound weird? I love finding just the right word or phrase, and I thoroughly enjoy researching the subject that I'm writing about.
That being said, I suppose there must be a degree of ego involved. It's nice to know that someone is enjoying what you've written. In fact, I'll likely never forget the first time a reader contacted me to tell me how much he enjoyed my book.
I absolutely enjoy the process of composing sentences. Does that sound weird? I love finding just the right word or phrase, and I thoroughly enjoy researching the subject that I'm writing about.
That being said, I suppose there must be a degree of ego involved. It's nice to know that someone is enjoying what you've written. In fact, I'll likely never forget the first time a reader contacted me to tell me how much he enjoyed my book.
David J. Forsyth
I haven't yet experienced writer's block. In fact, my problem is finding the time to research and write without being distracted by life's unrelenting interruptions. I keep promising myself that I'll lock myself away in a remote cottage on the Isle of Skye or on a hillside in Patagonia so I can focus for more than a couple of hours at a time.
I haven't yet experienced writer's block. In fact, my problem is finding the time to research and write without being distracted by life's unrelenting interruptions. I keep promising myself that I'll lock myself away in a remote cottage on the Isle of Skye or on a hillside in Patagonia so I can focus for more than a couple of hours at a time.
David J. Forsyth
For me, cruising was a great adventure, and I wanted to share my experience with others, especially those who have a dream and haven't yet taken that first step to make it a reality.
For me, cruising was a great adventure, and I wanted to share my experience with others, especially those who have a dream and haven't yet taken that first step to make it a reality.
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