May 2016

D.L. Stalter

Author Interview Form
Tell us your name and where you’re from.
 I’m D.L. Stalter and I’m from a farm north of a small town in Illinois. I can usually be found in the barn.
What led to your decision to become an author?
 I had a story to tell which then led to another story… and another…
Tell us about what you’re currently working on, and what you’ve written in the past. While my past books are either middle grade or young adult, I am currently working on a post-apocalyptic novel. After that, I have another young adult which will be my third in the series.
What are some of your strongest points as a writer, and what if anything are you constantly working to improve upon?
 My strongest point might be my imagination. I also think I am pretty witty (as long as I am writing – if I try to be witty in conversation, it usually ends up being sarcastic). I am constantly trying to improve on all of my writing skills. I’m a work in process.
Are you self published, traditionally published or both? Why did you choose to go that route? I first chose to self-publish because I didn’t want to spend time searching for an agent. I wanted to write more books. After talking with others who had gone the traditional route, I also knew that I wanted more control over my book(s) than a traditional publisher would give me. The only drawback I see to self publishing is marketing. I’m a writer, not a marketer.
What format are your books available in? Which of these formats do you prefer and why? My books are available from Amazon in both eBook format and in paperback. The second book is available in other online bookstores including Barnes and Noble and iTunes.
How do you go about marketing your books?
 Until now, I haven’t done any marketing. I recently created an author’s website and an author’s Facebook page. I will learn more about marketing as I go.
Have you ever had to deal with harsh criticism in a review, and how do you handle it? Not yet. So far, almost all of my reviews on Amazon have been five star. There might be a 4 star in there. When it comes, I can only hope that the reviewer mentions what they didn’t like about the book so that I can learn from it.
What are your favorite genres to both read and write? I like to read thrillers and mysteries. Aw heck, I like to read anything and everything. I like to write young adult mystery, but give me a prompt and I’ll give you a story.
What authors have influenced or inspired you?
 James Patterson, John Sanford, Stephen King, Dr. Seuss for starters.
What kinds of things do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing? If I’m not spending time with my horse, I’m usually writing or thinking about what comes next in my writing. Sometimes I take a time-out and watch a movie.
What software do you use for your writing? Did you try others before you settled on the one you’re currently using? I’ve always used MS Word. For my last book, I used Scrivener to outline it and then MS Word to write it. For my current book, I am writing it in Scrivener. I think it helps me stay on track.
What is it that you like about the software you’re currently using that makes it the best solution for you?
 Scrivener is great for outlining. I have recently started using it to write the actual book and am finding that it has many features that help me keep on track. I wish I’d found it a long time ago.
What’s the best advice you could possibly give to your fellow authors? Don’t give up. If you are a fledgling, it’s so easy to put off writing because you simply aren’t sure what to write for the day. It’s easy to put it off until tomorrow, then the day after, and the day after that. Put your butt in the chair every day – even if just for 15 minutes. Even if the only thing you write is “I don’t know what to write today.” Just write.
Where can people find out more about you and your books? http://www.dlstalter.com
https://www.facebook.com/dlstalter

 

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Cindy’s Story is now the official title of my next book…

Unable to come up with a better title, Cindy’s Story will be the official title of my next book.  That’s what I’ve been calling it ever since I first came up with the idea, so the name just sort of stuck.

I designed the cover for it today, and I just finished chapter four.  Work was delayed by the passing of my father and some other things that have been going on, plus it’s slow going because I’m writing a non-series book.  I had this problem with book 17 of the series as well.  It was all new characters and a totally new setting, so I can’t just pound through stuff like that the way I can when I’m working within the normal series canon.

So it will take a bit longer with this one, but I’m really happy with how it’s going so far.  I don’t have an estimate yet for when I’ll be done with it, but when I get closer to the end I should have a better idea.

Anyway, that’s it for now.  Just wanted to pop in and give a little update.

 

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Progress on Cindy’s Story…

My father passed away last week, so obviously I haven’t been writing much since then.  I did just finish chapter three however, and the story is coming along nicely.  I’m throwing a lot of humor into this one, so I think the final product is going to be something that pretty much everyone can read and enjoy rather than being geared toward a more genre specific audience like the series is.

This book will be and was always intended to be a standalone.  There will be no others with these characters.  As much fun as I’m having writing them, unless the book really takes off and people are clamoring for another book, then there won’t be one.  If there is a demand, then I’m sure I could come up with another story for them.

In any case, I am plugging away at it, and when I finish this one I’ll write the next one in the Unseen Things series while I try to come up with some ideas for some other standalone books to write.  I’ve never had much of a problem coming up with story ideas.  I just need to settle on one.

Anyway, that’s it for now.  Oh, one last thing.  Cindy’s Story is really sticking with me as a title for this one.  I know it’s not a great title, but the more I think of it, the more I like it.  It may not be descriptive as far as titles go, but it really is her story, so it’s appropriate.

 

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Duane L. Martin