Interview with Dave Cleinman

Today I am pleased to welcome Dave Cleinman to my website; a gentleman who has been kind enough to interview me about The Eyes of the Dead and Shapes in the Mist – it was about time I returned the favour.

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1. What is your earliest memory of writing?

I was writing in first grade, just as soon as I learned to read. Unlike a lot of schooling nowadays, writing and reading were fully integrated. As we learned to read, we learned to write. I loved to read, and I enjoyed writing just as much. At thirteen, when I read the Lord Of The Rings, I began a full novel series, with two languages developed mostly from the romance languages, with some German thrown in as a family tribute.

2. Which writers have inspired and influenced you?

Tolkien still ranks number one. His skill with language made his novels artistically beautiful, true literary fiction that sings with beauty. Michener and his epic stories are inspiring. King's tongue-in-Cheek fiction, as well as true horror stories (The Shining is my favorite) gave me insights into how to rip characters apart mercilessly, and then fix things again, sometimes. The classics, Steinbeck, Dickens, Dante, Shakespeare, Plato…all of them influenced my ability to craft words. And, as an exercise in playful indulgence, Piers Anthony and his Xanth series, and at a higher level, his Incarnations of Immortality series sparked my imagination. There are many more, but this is a good start, I think!

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3. Your novel Toys in the Attic deals with the subject of familial abuse and an act of incest that leads to teenage pregnancy – could you tell me more about what made you decide to deal with such a sensitive and, some might say, controversial subject and what thoughts and feelings drove such narrative decisions as Sara keeping her father's baby? 

The novel was inspired by the fact that I have personally known young girls who suffered this very situation, and I needed to share it. I don't consider it controversial, simply because reality has a place in quality fiction. Sara keeps her baby because she feels it's wrong to punish it by aborting it. It is her personal choice that makes life difficult for her in the beginning. As she matures, however, and recovers, she realizes it is the best decision she could have possibly made. I made very few narrative decisions, really, I just told a story that has been experienced by real women in real situations. The story is one of survival, and triumph. To get to the brightest, sometimes we need to face the dark head on.

Toys In The Attic is available here:

amazon.com  |  amazon.co.uk  |  Smashwords   |  B&N

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4. Your novel Principle Destiny features a literal race between a princess and a prince with a kingdom as the prize – using this device, what did you hope to portray about a woman's position in an archaic patriarchal society? And did you intend there to be parallels with the ongoing battles for equal rights in the modern world?

Interestingly, I thought nothing about equal rights, at all, even though the novel definitely supports the concept. This story is about  a woman's strength and courage and her relentless determination. I fully expect readers, especially women, to be inspired by Princess Alyssa, but it is historical in nature, and not allegorical. The patriarchal society is simply a hand-me down situation. Alyssa's father, King Jessett, is more tyrant than patriarch, and Alyssa's singular goal is to return freedom and peace to her kingdom, and to the surrounding kingdoms as well.

In their society as a whole, women are integral and equal: community leaders, mothers, business builders. Only in King Jessett's eyes are they not worthy of ruling his kingdom. In some ways his sexist views are diametrically in opposition to those of his own citizens.

This novel combines a nasty family feud with a covert attempt at a political coup that puts the Princess in endless danger. She know this, yet she chooses to accept the challenge. For most of the novel she struggles to cross nearly a thousand miles of terrain to win this race, reclaim her position as first born heir, and take the Kingship. It is filled with suspense and action, driven by one woman's pure strength of heart and will.

Principle Destiny is available at:

amazon.com  |  amazon.co.uk  |  Smashwords   |  B&N

5. How would you describe your literary voice and what do you think makes it unique?

I just try to write gripping stories with strong characters based on real people. I consider myself a bit unique, and suppose since I just try to be me, and no one else, my voice is probably unique in the same way. To be honest, I don't give it much thought. I just work hard to write good stories and engage my readers.

6. Would you say that you feel empathy and identify with all of the characters that you create?

Main characters, always. All characters, no. What I will say is all of my characters, major or lesser, are all based on actual people. As such they have depth and are recognizable. When a character steps up into a major role, or starts out in one, I always use myself as a sounding board… what would I do? How would I react? What would I want? And then I expand that idea to other individuals I have known or observed in similar situations. The blend is generally a strong character that comes alive and feels real.

7. What benefits do you think realistic and fantastic fiction have for the writer respectively?

I think realistic fiction engages a wider audience, and fantasy appeals to a smaller niche, but the best stories I have ever read successfully combine elements of both. Even if a story is realistic, such as a Michener or Clancy novel, it keeps us engaged through a perpetual series of what ifs and thens. Realistic fiction, such as Toys In The Attic combines some fantasy-like dreams, with a hard-hitting reality. Principle Destiny, which is mostly modern fantasy, combines real people and real emotions with a unique situation (a thousand mile endurance race).

8. Do You find writing to be cathartic, just an escapist experience, or can it be a fusion of both?

My writing is cathartic at times, as with Toys In The Attic where I needed to get the ideas off my chest and out into the open. I don't think of it as escapist, just because I engage the world around me to make my writing realistic and appealing to my readers.

Generally, I just write. Characters do a pretty good job of steering me in the right direction, and I just go with it.

9. Are there other genres of fiction that you would like to explore in the future?

I am moving into thrillers. It seems all my writing has elements of thriller, just because that's the way I think, but future works will likely be much more focused on that niche. I am also working on the horror genre, teaching myself how to really be impactful and scary without being trite or overtly repulsive.

10. What new projects are you currently working on?

I have completed part two of my MindEater series and will do a final edit within the next week. The first segment is a stand alone short story free on Smashwords.

I am very close to finishing book one of my YA novel. I'm not yet ready to share details, but the rough draft will be done within a week.

11.  Any last words for the readers?

I am giving  away free coupons for either of my books to any of your readers who will like my FB author page, and leave a hello, or leave a comment on my blog referencing this post. Just let me know which book you'd like to read!

Thank you, Dave! All the best for the future!

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