Ask the Author: Davis Bunn
Answered Questions (21)
Davis Bunn
Dear Tobe,
Thanks so much for your note. I'm so pleased to learn that you've been enjoying the story. To answer your question, The Elven Child is a concept I've played around with for years. It seemed to fit so well here, as a basis for drawing these two wonderful people together, despite everything that should keep them apart. I still hope someday to write those books. We'll see. Thanks again for writing.
Warmest regards,
Davis
Thanks so much for your note. I'm so pleased to learn that you've been enjoying the story. To answer your question, The Elven Child is a concept I've played around with for years. It seemed to fit so well here, as a basis for drawing these two wonderful people together, despite everything that should keep them apart. I still hope someday to write those books. We'll see. Thanks again for writing.
Warmest regards,
Davis
Davis Bunn
Dear Katy, Thanks so much for your note and your very sweet comment. All the characters are made up, but I do feel like the people and their chatter is a strong point. The term used by writers is, three dimensionality, where they reveal what is inside, who they are, as well as what they're responding to externally. The other term is, strong point of view, where everything the character 'sees' is filtered through their internal emotional state. Both of these are of course how people in the 'real' world move and think and talk and act.
Do I sound like a teacher or what?
Warmly, Davis
Do I sound like a teacher or what?
Warmly, Davis
Davis Bunn
Thank you, Sunny. Almost every book has a moment when it becomes the worst and hardest and most challenging and probably-can't-finish and what-on-earth-am-I-doing... But not all. Recruits, for example, just flowed. Start to finish, a breeze. I have a new one coming out next summer, The Rowan, that was the same. But the others, oh yes. All of them are toughest at some point.
P.S. In case you haven't discovered my THOMAS LOCKE pen name, I have a new thriller out, Fortune's Favor.
P.S. In case you haven't discovered my THOMAS LOCKE pen name, I have a new thriller out, Fortune's Favor.
Davis Bunn
Dear Tia,
Thank you so much for your very kind note. Book of Hours remains a personal favorite, especially at this time of year.
I do hope your reread of the story added to a lovely Christmas. Wishing you and all your family a truly glorious start to the new year.
As for sequels, it's amazing. Eleven years after its release, I was contacted by publishers last week with a request to revisit that lovely place.
Very warmest regards,
Davis
Thank you so much for your very kind note. Book of Hours remains a personal favorite, especially at this time of year.
I do hope your reread of the story added to a lovely Christmas. Wishing you and all your family a truly glorious start to the new year.
As for sequels, it's amazing. Eleven years after its release, I was contacted by publishers last week with a request to revisit that lovely place.
Very warmest regards,
Davis
Davis Bunn
Dear Claire,
Thank you so much for your question. I've actually been waiting five years for someone to ask about this. I knew it would raise some eyebrows, and I hesitated a long time before actually diving into the story. But when I finally prepared the initial pages, including that death-on-the-beach scene, my editor thought I had something special. And, to be honest, so did I.
The concept actually began to take shape years earlier, when I read F Scott Fitzgerald's short story, ' The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. The longer I read, the more upset I became. I felt like the concept held such beauty, and so much potential, but the way he shaped it was, in my opinion, unnecessarily dark. Then the film came out, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, and produced by Kathleen Kennedy - who is the guiding hand behind so many of Steven Spielberg's films. They took the basic concept and transformed it into a love story. Watching this, I felt like they had touched upon the compass heading I wanted to take in a sort of fantasy-type story, one where love between two people was so strong it overcame the normal boundaries of life.
Again, thank you so much for writing.
Warm personal regards,
Davis
Thank you so much for your question. I've actually been waiting five years for someone to ask about this. I knew it would raise some eyebrows, and I hesitated a long time before actually diving into the story. But when I finally prepared the initial pages, including that death-on-the-beach scene, my editor thought I had something special. And, to be honest, so did I.
The concept actually began to take shape years earlier, when I read F Scott Fitzgerald's short story, ' The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. The longer I read, the more upset I became. I felt like the concept held such beauty, and so much potential, but the way he shaped it was, in my opinion, unnecessarily dark. Then the film came out, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, and produced by Kathleen Kennedy - who is the guiding hand behind so many of Steven Spielberg's films. They took the basic concept and transformed it into a love story. Watching this, I felt like they had touched upon the compass heading I wanted to take in a sort of fantasy-type story, one where love between two people was so strong it overcame the normal boundaries of life.
Again, thank you so much for writing.
Warm personal regards,
Davis
Davis Bunn
Dear Glenn, My sincerest apologies for not responding before now. Your queries arrived during quite a difficult period, and I simply lost track of them until this afternoon. I don't know if you're still at all interested in hearing from me. But here goes anyway... Dream Voyager: That series, alas, is not going to be continued. The publishers no longer do either fantasy or syfy, and my new publishers prefer for me to run with new characters and storylines, so they basically 'own' them. I personally think the new story that flies closest in this direction would either be Prime Directive, released last autumn, or my new Thomas Locke story with Jyoti Guptara, Fortune's Favor. Warmest regards, Davis
Davis Bunn
Dear Carol, My sincerest apologies for not responding before now. Your queries arrived during quite a difficult period, and I simply lost track of them until this afternoon. I don't know if you're still at all interested in hearing from me. But here goes anyway... Firefly Cove: I'm so glad you became so caught up the story, which remains a personal favorite. Each of the Miramar Bay stories - the latest, Emerald Tide, was released this month - is intended to be a standalone. They share settings and there is an interplay of characters. But as for a sequel that directly ties to this one... Hmmm.....
Davis Bunn
Dear Tom, My sincerest apologies for not responding before now. Your queries arrived during quite a difficult period, and I simply lost track of them until this afternoon. I don't know if you're still at all interested in hearing from me. But here goes anyway. You're right, I don't have historical fiction on my radar as of now, as I work my way through too many other exciting concepts. For now.
Davis Bunn
You are absolutely right, Tom. I am seeking to instill a greater sense of immediacy and vivid reality in my stories, even those with a supernatural edge. This summer's release, Island of Time, pretty much follows that same course.
Davis Bunn
Hello, Anna, and thanks so much for your note. What a keen eye you have! I confess that was a new one. I had never considered 'pelt' to be exclusive to one particular kind of animal. I've just checked online, and it appears that the experts aren't so sure either. From what I've gathered, you are correct in that 'hair' or 'fur' are usually the terms applied to a dog, and this depends on whether the particular breed has one level or two. But it also seems that in both cases, pelt can be used. Maybe. Who knows?
Warmest regards, Davis
Warmest regards, Davis
Davis Bunn
Hi, Lynne, and thanks so much for writing. I hope you've enjoyed your read of one of the last books I wrote with Janette. It remains a personal favorite for us both. To answer your question, yes indeed, I'm also writing as Thomas Locke. And btw, I have a new Locke title appearing later this year, co-authored with my gifted friend Jyoti Guptara. Watch this space!
Davis Bunn
Shelley, might I request you sign up for my newsletter on www.storyworlds.ink and respond to the email you will receive there with your request? My co-author, Jyoti, will explore doing reviews. Thank you for all you've done!
Davis Bunn
Wow, thank you so much! Yours is the first response from a reader that I've received, and it's so good to hear that the story resonated with you so strongly you want a second helping. The answer is yes, a sequel entitlted 'Forbidden' is now in the works, and will be released in February 2023.
Davis Bunn
Dear Tom,
Thanks so much for the wonderful note. You are more than welcome to send as many 'atta-boy's' as you like!
The Domino Effect was the first time in ten years that I put my finance background to work in a story. It was spurred by an opportunity to interview the head of compliance within the Bank of England, which would make him the equivalent of our SEC's watchdog chief. He was brutally frank in his concerns over the way the global banks had restarted using tactics that had brought us to the brink in 2007-8. The longer I listened to him, the more convinced I became that this was a story that had to be told, and now.
Again, thanks for writing.
Warmest regards, Davis
Thanks so much for the wonderful note. You are more than welcome to send as many 'atta-boy's' as you like!
The Domino Effect was the first time in ten years that I put my finance background to work in a story. It was spurred by an opportunity to interview the head of compliance within the Bank of England, which would make him the equivalent of our SEC's watchdog chief. He was brutally frank in his concerns over the way the global banks had restarted using tactics that had brought us to the brink in 2007-8. The longer I listened to him, the more convinced I became that this was a story that had to be told, and now.
Again, thanks for writing.
Warmest regards, Davis
Davis Bunn
Thank you so much, Birgit. I hope you have continued to enjoy my books!
Davis Bunn
You have been added to the list, Debbie. Thank you for your support.
Davis Bunn
Dear Tom,
Thanks so much for your note. Really great to hear you bonded with Night Angel. To respond: There are two distinct time-frames related to the Acadia series. The first five books, written with Janette, were centered upon the aftermath of the Acadian expulsion. Longfellow's poem was one of our inspirations - if you're into poetry, you may want to give that a read. There are a number of excellent books on the subject, and the Wikipedia account really is very moving and quite accurate.
The second five books, which include Night Angel, all have to do with the development of our nation and its relationship with England following the war of 1812. William Wilberforce played a huge role in our own Dissenter movement - and yes, this was indeed a real and powerful influence, both in England and here in America. That great man and his legacy would be where I would personally start, if you'd like to learn more about what role our faith played in our nation's early development.
Thanks so much for your note. Really great to hear you bonded with Night Angel. To respond: There are two distinct time-frames related to the Acadia series. The first five books, written with Janette, were centered upon the aftermath of the Acadian expulsion. Longfellow's poem was one of our inspirations - if you're into poetry, you may want to give that a read. There are a number of excellent books on the subject, and the Wikipedia account really is very moving and quite accurate.
The second five books, which include Night Angel, all have to do with the development of our nation and its relationship with England following the war of 1812. William Wilberforce played a huge role in our own Dissenter movement - and yes, this was indeed a real and powerful influence, both in England and here in America. That great man and his legacy would be where I would personally start, if you'd like to learn more about what role our faith played in our nation's early development.
Davis Bunn
With each new project, I tend to develop a series of specific triggers. The aim is similar to what happens in dealing with writers’ block, because in many cases this writing ‘prompt’ is just another word for isolating myself from the outside world and returning swiftly to the world of my current project.
When I first started writing, I ran a consulting group based in Dusseldorf. My work had me in three countries every week. I held this job, and wrote on the side, for eleven years. My writing prompts were crucial to drawing me away from the fear and the frustration and the pressures, and return me to what I wanted to do with my life. Write.
Early in that period, I read an article about Mick Jagger, who has prepped for every concert he has ever given by listening to the same artist—James Brown. I find music enormously helpful, and will often use this as a means of drawing away, and drawing in.
There are others, as I said, that are specific to the current project. You need to search these out. It is vital. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. You have to ready yourself to take full advantage when those rare perfect moments arrive.
When I first started writing, I ran a consulting group based in Dusseldorf. My work had me in three countries every week. I held this job, and wrote on the side, for eleven years. My writing prompts were crucial to drawing me away from the fear and the frustration and the pressures, and return me to what I wanted to do with my life. Write.
Early in that period, I read an article about Mick Jagger, who has prepped for every concert he has ever given by listening to the same artist—James Brown. I find music enormously helpful, and will often use this as a means of drawing away, and drawing in.
There are others, as I said, that are specific to the current project. You need to search these out. It is vital. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. You have to ready yourself to take full advantage when those rare perfect moments arrive.
Davis Bunn
To my mind, the method of overcoming writer’s block is less important than the guidelines. Whatever it is you use, it must achieve three goals to be successful.
First, it must utterly separate you from your current work.
Second, it must be creatively energizing.
And third, it must be singularly important to you and you alone.
Too often, the second factor is overlooked, as most methods are creatively destructive. For me, there needs to be a measure of healthy indulgence. Surfing is first on the list, if there are waves and if I am in reach of the sea. Road cycling, particularly on new roads where there is a hint of adventure, also works.
One question that needs to be honestly addressed is the issue of solitude. To completely separate yourself from your work, do you also need to isolate yourself from others? If so, be honest. For the first five years of my published life, my greatest block-overcomer was taking a silent retreat at a monastery.
First, it must utterly separate you from your current work.
Second, it must be creatively energizing.
And third, it must be singularly important to you and you alone.
Too often, the second factor is overlooked, as most methods are creatively destructive. For me, there needs to be a measure of healthy indulgence. Surfing is first on the list, if there are waves and if I am in reach of the sea. Road cycling, particularly on new roads where there is a hint of adventure, also works.
One question that needs to be honestly addressed is the issue of solitude. To completely separate yourself from your work, do you also need to isolate yourself from others? If so, be honest. For the first five years of my published life, my greatest block-overcomer was taking a silent retreat at a monastery.
Davis Bunn
I came to faith at age twenty-eight, and started writing two weeks later. Up to that point, I had never written anything longer than a business report. I studied international economics and finance at university, and had assumed my life would be focused on business.
But the day I started writing was a turning point on many levels. At that time, I had no idea what the spiritual meaning of ‘gift’ might be. Since then, I have experienced a myriad of lessons through the creative process, and through the sense of spiritual responsibility that has come with it.
I remain so very, very grateful for the chance to write. It was an invitation, on one level. There was no divine command. And yet by recognizing this as an open door, and then walking through it, I allowed the divine plan to unfold in my life.
I wrote for nine years and finished seven books before my first was accepted for publication. During that time, I doubted my abilities and my future on numerous occasions. But I remained utterly certain, then and now, that this was a true divine gift.
But the day I started writing was a turning point on many levels. At that time, I had no idea what the spiritual meaning of ‘gift’ might be. Since then, I have experienced a myriad of lessons through the creative process, and through the sense of spiritual responsibility that has come with it.
I remain so very, very grateful for the chance to write. It was an invitation, on one level. There was no divine command. And yet by recognizing this as an open door, and then walking through it, I allowed the divine plan to unfold in my life.
I wrote for nine years and finished seven books before my first was accepted for publication. During that time, I doubted my abilities and my future on numerous occasions. But I remained utterly certain, then and now, that this was a true divine gift.
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