Ask the Author: Vincent B. Davis II
Answered Questions (10)
Vincent B. Davis II
Hey Johnny,
Thanks so much for reading and for the question! As many of my readers know, I primarily write historical fiction set in Ancient Rome. For that reason, I'm guessing it came as a big surprise to many when I launched the first crime thriller book set primarily in the 1930s.
It's one of those things where "I didn't choose the book, the book chose me", as trite as that might sound. From a marketing standpoint, it wasn't the best decision I've ever made, but it was a story that got planted in my imagination and I could never let it go. Believe it or not, I started working on the series back in 2010, although I didn't return to it and write the actual book now known as "Sins of the Father" until 2018.
And there will definitely be more entries in the series! Book 2, Blood of the Sons, launched in 2022, and Book 3 will be coming sometime in the not-so-distant future.
Thanks again, Johnny!
Keep Fighting,
Vincent B. Davis II
Thanks so much for reading and for the question! As many of my readers know, I primarily write historical fiction set in Ancient Rome. For that reason, I'm guessing it came as a big surprise to many when I launched the first crime thriller book set primarily in the 1930s.
It's one of those things where "I didn't choose the book, the book chose me", as trite as that might sound. From a marketing standpoint, it wasn't the best decision I've ever made, but it was a story that got planted in my imagination and I could never let it go. Believe it or not, I started working on the series back in 2010, although I didn't return to it and write the actual book now known as "Sins of the Father" until 2018.
And there will definitely be more entries in the series! Book 2, Blood of the Sons, launched in 2022, and Book 3 will be coming sometime in the not-so-distant future.
Thanks again, Johnny!
Keep Fighting,
Vincent B. Davis II
Vincent B. Davis II
Hey Marty,
Thank you so much for reading and your support, it means a lot.
Great question! I can't say that I've done enough research on modern guerrilla tactics, but I can certainly see some parallels.
The most intriguing aspect to me was the subterfuge and assimilation elements we see in Sertorius' life. When he donned the Germanic garb, learned their language, and integrated himself into their culture, one can definitely draw comparisons to the Special Forces and their efforts during war and peacetime over the past century. We don't see many examples of this throughout ancient history, but Sertorius proved to be an expert at learning and assimilating to other cultures. That would prove very useful later in his life when he had to go from village to village, tribe to tribe, making alliances so he could continue his rebellion.
As a Civil Affairs Specialist (38B) in the Army Reserves, this is something I found particularly interesting, because it's our primary objective to do exactly what Sertorius did.
Thanks so much for such an insightful question!
Vincent B. Davis II
Thank you so much for reading and your support, it means a lot.
Great question! I can't say that I've done enough research on modern guerrilla tactics, but I can certainly see some parallels.
The most intriguing aspect to me was the subterfuge and assimilation elements we see in Sertorius' life. When he donned the Germanic garb, learned their language, and integrated himself into their culture, one can definitely draw comparisons to the Special Forces and their efforts during war and peacetime over the past century. We don't see many examples of this throughout ancient history, but Sertorius proved to be an expert at learning and assimilating to other cultures. That would prove very useful later in his life when he had to go from village to village, tribe to tribe, making alliances so he could continue his rebellion.
As a Civil Affairs Specialist (38B) in the Army Reserves, this is something I found particularly interesting, because it's our primary objective to do exactly what Sertorius did.
Thanks so much for such an insightful question!
Vincent B. Davis II
Vincent B. Davis II
That's a great question, Conway!
I use the primary sources often, when available. Since there isn't much written about Sertorius, Plutarch's Life of Sertorius was invaluable in giving me insight into the man and the myth.
That being said, modern sources are always necessary for proper context and insight. Theodore Mommsen's History of Rome is excellent. I can't recommend it enough. Dan Carlin and Mike Duncan also have excellent podcasts I'd recommend. They're great listens and very informative!
Thanks so much for the question!
Vincent B. Davis II
I use the primary sources often, when available. Since there isn't much written about Sertorius, Plutarch's Life of Sertorius was invaluable in giving me insight into the man and the myth.
That being said, modern sources are always necessary for proper context and insight. Theodore Mommsen's History of Rome is excellent. I can't recommend it enough. Dan Carlin and Mike Duncan also have excellent podcasts I'd recommend. They're great listens and very informative!
Thanks so much for the question!
Vincent B. Davis II
Vincent B. Davis II
Hey, Zev! Thanks so much for the question. So I've been writing since I was a kid. There are pictures of me writing Star Wars novels when I was no more than five years old. Then in High School, I used my dreams of being the next JRR Tolkien to slack on my school work, ha! When I got into college I started listening to all the folks who told me it wasn't possible to earn a living as an author, and I began working towards a business degree. It wasn't until after I graduated that I decided if I was ever going to take a risk and follow my dream, now was the time to do it with no spouse, kids, mortgage, etc. So I went all in! The first several months were hard, but a lot of doors have been opened and I've met so many incredible people who have helped me get to this point. To sum it up, I'm not sure if there was ever a moment where I KNEW it was my career until I looked up and realized it already was! But I think being a storyteller was always what I wanted, even before I knew what an author was! Thanks so much for writing, Zev! I'm so thankful for your support and happy to hear that you've enjoyed.
Keep Fighting,
Vincent B. Davis II
Keep Fighting,
Vincent B. Davis II
Vincent B. Davis II
You can fail at the things you don't want to do, so why not try the thing you do? If you have a story to tell, don't let the world choke you out of it. Your family will worry about student loans, your potential lovers will worry about how you'll earn money, the news will constantly report about the state of the economy. Just don't listen to it. If writing is what you really want to do, don't go work a 9-5 job because of "stability". You can get laid off at work, even as a top level executive. You can't really get fired as a writer. Which one has more stability? Difficult to answer, but I'm going to go where my passion wants to take me, and let the dice fall where they may.
Oh, and don't use too many adverbs.
Oh, and don't use too many adverbs.
Vincent B. Davis II
Coffee. Lots of coffee. In seriousness, I listen to a lot of orchestral music when I write, and it always inspires me. Orchestral music might not be for everyone, I know Stephen King listens to hard rock! But every creative has to find that thing: a kind of music, a cup of joe, a tv show that makes you cry, whatever. You have to find what works and then keep going back to it. After long enough, it becomes routine. The inspiration doesn't want to go away because it knows you'll act on it!
Vincent B. Davis II
I like to think that I don't pick the ideas, the ideas pick me. Ancient Rome has always held a very special place in my heart, and I can't really explain why. Then I made the jump to 1920s New York City. I can't remember the egg that hatched into this series, but I'd like to think it was a story I am meant to write, and I simply responded to the call that was given to me.
Vincent B. Davis II
Since the beginning of September, I've been working on a new series. It's a crime thriller set in the 1920s. I'm anxious to get back to Ancient Rome, but this has been an incredible journey so far. I'm hoping that the first book in the series will be available in the next 6 months or so. The second should be out sometime in 2018. Regardless, though, part two of the Sertorius Scrolls is on the way!
Vincent B. Davis II
Being able to experience the story, just like the reader does. Whatever story I'm working on is the first thing I think of in the morning, and the last thing I think of at night. It is so exciting to see how everything unravels. Most of the time, it's completely different than how I pictured it! I'm really just a child at heart, with imagination too big for my own good. Writing gives me that outlet I need to create, and I just let the story go where it wants to. That, to me, is the best part about being a writer.
Vincent B. Davis II
I write anyways. I allow myself to write something bad, and when you removed those mental restrictions on yourself, you can usually produce so much more, and sometimes even better. I allow myself to write poorly, knowing that I will go back and fix it in the editing process. This usually allows me to churn forward even when I'm dealing with a block.
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