Today I want to welcome David Normoyle to The Mind’s Eye. He is quite the interesting character. And we have a special bonus. David has graciously offered a copy of his book Crimson Dream in either e-pub or pdf format. One lucky commenter will be selected on Friday, 7/15 so be sure to leave me your contact information.
David was born in Australia, but moved to Ireland at an early age. The early globe crossing must have gone to his head, as he has since backpacked through and lived in numerous countries. He grew up on a farm as the eldest of nine unruly siblings, but since his escape, he prefers city living. His electronic engineering degree is currently gathering dust while he tries new and strange pursuits such as novel writing. His first novel, a Young Adult Fantasy called Crimson Dream, is now available from MuseItUpPublishing.
Buy at Muse: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=44&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Or on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Dream-ebook/dp/B004M18XDO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310445077&sr=8-2
David, will you tell your readers something interesting about yourself.
Well, I can tell you an anecdote. I went to Japan and Korea, following the Irish World Cup soccer team. When we got knocked out of the tournament (though it was a moral victory as usual for Ireland), we were all really depressed. We went to this bar in Seoul where we heard the Irish team had been a few days before (might have been why it was only a moral victory). As it happens, all the Irish soccer players turn up at this bar and they start a singsong and soon the whole bar is in great form. (The Irish know how to celebrate: win, lose or draw.) By the time we leave, there's not a drop of alcohol left in whole place. Anyway, Michael Flatley is also there who's a famous Irish dancer, and who started off dancing for Riverdance, a famous Irish dancing act. As the bar is emptying out, the Irish fans want Michael Flatley to "give us a dance", but he's having none of it. So one of the Irish players jumps up on to the top of Flatley's limo and starts doing Riverdance on the roof. It's a fond memory of mine.
Too funny, David. What was your favorite book as a teen? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.
It was probably Ender's Game. It's a science fiction book about a super-intelligent boy who is trained at a young age to fight for mankind against their insectoid enemies. The world of the battleschool is immersive and Ender's journey captivated me from start to finish.
I don't think it's affected me as a person. At least I hope not. I read to be whisked away to a new world rather than to learn lessons for this one. Though, if insectoid enemies ever come calling, I'll be ready. (Remember, the enemy gate is down.)
Tell us about the genre you have chosen to write for. Why do write specifically for them?
It's Young Adult Fantasy. Fantasy is my first love as a reader. I love the scope and imagination of fantasy novels where anything is possible. As a writer though, I'm not prolific in terms of wordcount and I don't like writing descriptions so I don't think I'm suited to write trilogies of 700 page books which are the benchmark of the genre. With YA, on the other hand, I can still enjoy writing fantasy, only write shorter action orientated books that suit my style.
Please tell us about your new book. How did it come about and share your favorite excerpt/scene.
The core idea that drives Crimson Dream is: What would a teenager do if they dreamed their sister would be killed?
Then there's complications: What if the dream shows her killed by their people's ancient enemies who haven't been seen for hundreds of years? What if he's a weakling who's asthmatic and can't become a warrior like most of his society.
And so the story begins...
One of my favorite excepts is where Deren's asthma threatens to kill him after he's attacked by bullies.
----
Deren tried to get up to help Oso and Bennie and fell onto his back. He began to gasp, his breath laboring through his lungs, fighting for every mouthful. He took deep sucking drags of air, clutching his neck with his hands. His own lungs were drowning him, refusing to breathe. He looked into the sky, thinking he would die. Although it was only twilight, a ghostly moon peeked over the trees.
Whistling noises crept up and down his throat. He prayed to the Goddess of the Moon. Yenara, help me. Please, don't let me die. Bennie needs me. Please.
A face swam across his vision. "Deren, are you okay?" the face asked. "Deren, try to calm yourself."
The voice was laden with worry. A hand touched the side of his face. Warm drops landed on his forehead. "Don't give up on me," the voice said in a fierce whisper.
----
I’m in the middle of the story, David and enjoying it very much. I can feel Deren’s pain. Tell me, what’s your favorite part of being a writer?
It's the finished product. I love storytelling in all its forms, but just reading or watching isn't enough for me. I want to be a part of it. I want to have created. I want to invent worlds and characters and stories that wouldn't have existed if I'd never been born. The actual writing itself is hard work and not all that fun. It's the moment when I've finished a great scene or character or story or novel. It's that moment of creation that is my favorite part.
What advice can you give regarding the writing process?
Well, I think you should be a prolific reader before you contemplate writing. Next up, you have get the words on a page. Write what you would like to read. When you are finished, rewrite it until it shines. Probably get some help at this stage in the form of critiques. Also, at this stage, read books on the writing process or learn from internet research. Then, when it's perfect, submit it and start working on your next writing project.
Regarding publication, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?
Research online beforehand. (Before that, of course, make sure you've done all your polishing and learning about how to write well.) Find out about all the many pitfalls for aspiring writers and avoid them. When submitting, check the guidelines and follow them. Expect disappointment as the staus quo. Writing success is like pop stardom: desired by many and achieved by few. Like pop stardom, it requires a mix of talent, hardwork, luck and timing. Refine your talent, put in the hard work and hope for the best.
Thank you for being on my blog today, David. How can your fans find, follow or friend you?
You can find me in all the usual venues. Hope to see you there.
website: http://www.davidjnormoyle.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-J-Normoyle/157832707561908
twitter: http://twitter.com/davidjnormoyle
Thanks for stopping by. Remember to leave a comment and be entered into the free drawing for an e-book copy of Crimson Dream.
C.K. Volnek
David was born in Australia, but moved to Ireland at an early age. The early globe crossing must have gone to his head, as he has since backpacked through and lived in numerous countries. He grew up on a farm as the eldest of nine unruly siblings, but since his escape, he prefers city living. His electronic engineering degree is currently gathering dust while he tries new and strange pursuits such as novel writing. His first novel, a Young Adult Fantasy called Crimson Dream, is now available from MuseItUpPublishing.
Buy at Muse: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=44&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Or on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Dream-ebook/dp/B004M18XDO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310445077&sr=8-2
David, will you tell your readers something interesting about yourself.
Well, I can tell you an anecdote. I went to Japan and Korea, following the Irish World Cup soccer team. When we got knocked out of the tournament (though it was a moral victory as usual for Ireland), we were all really depressed. We went to this bar in Seoul where we heard the Irish team had been a few days before (might have been why it was only a moral victory). As it happens, all the Irish soccer players turn up at this bar and they start a singsong and soon the whole bar is in great form. (The Irish know how to celebrate: win, lose or draw.) By the time we leave, there's not a drop of alcohol left in whole place. Anyway, Michael Flatley is also there who's a famous Irish dancer, and who started off dancing for Riverdance, a famous Irish dancing act. As the bar is emptying out, the Irish fans want Michael Flatley to "give us a dance", but he's having none of it. So one of the Irish players jumps up on to the top of Flatley's limo and starts doing Riverdance on the roof. It's a fond memory of mine.
Too funny, David. What was your favorite book as a teen? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.
It was probably Ender's Game. It's a science fiction book about a super-intelligent boy who is trained at a young age to fight for mankind against their insectoid enemies. The world of the battleschool is immersive and Ender's journey captivated me from start to finish.
I don't think it's affected me as a person. At least I hope not. I read to be whisked away to a new world rather than to learn lessons for this one. Though, if insectoid enemies ever come calling, I'll be ready. (Remember, the enemy gate is down.)
Tell us about the genre you have chosen to write for. Why do write specifically for them?
It's Young Adult Fantasy. Fantasy is my first love as a reader. I love the scope and imagination of fantasy novels where anything is possible. As a writer though, I'm not prolific in terms of wordcount and I don't like writing descriptions so I don't think I'm suited to write trilogies of 700 page books which are the benchmark of the genre. With YA, on the other hand, I can still enjoy writing fantasy, only write shorter action orientated books that suit my style.
Please tell us about your new book. How did it come about and share your favorite excerpt/scene.
The core idea that drives Crimson Dream is: What would a teenager do if they dreamed their sister would be killed?
Then there's complications: What if the dream shows her killed by their people's ancient enemies who haven't been seen for hundreds of years? What if he's a weakling who's asthmatic and can't become a warrior like most of his society.
And so the story begins...
One of my favorite excepts is where Deren's asthma threatens to kill him after he's attacked by bullies.
----
Deren tried to get up to help Oso and Bennie and fell onto his back. He began to gasp, his breath laboring through his lungs, fighting for every mouthful. He took deep sucking drags of air, clutching his neck with his hands. His own lungs were drowning him, refusing to breathe. He looked into the sky, thinking he would die. Although it was only twilight, a ghostly moon peeked over the trees.
Whistling noises crept up and down his throat. He prayed to the Goddess of the Moon. Yenara, help me. Please, don't let me die. Bennie needs me. Please.
A face swam across his vision. "Deren, are you okay?" the face asked. "Deren, try to calm yourself."
The voice was laden with worry. A hand touched the side of his face. Warm drops landed on his forehead. "Don't give up on me," the voice said in a fierce whisper.
----
I’m in the middle of the story, David and enjoying it very much. I can feel Deren’s pain. Tell me, what’s your favorite part of being a writer?
It's the finished product. I love storytelling in all its forms, but just reading or watching isn't enough for me. I want to be a part of it. I want to have created. I want to invent worlds and characters and stories that wouldn't have existed if I'd never been born. The actual writing itself is hard work and not all that fun. It's the moment when I've finished a great scene or character or story or novel. It's that moment of creation that is my favorite part.
What advice can you give regarding the writing process?
Well, I think you should be a prolific reader before you contemplate writing. Next up, you have get the words on a page. Write what you would like to read. When you are finished, rewrite it until it shines. Probably get some help at this stage in the form of critiques. Also, at this stage, read books on the writing process or learn from internet research. Then, when it's perfect, submit it and start working on your next writing project.
Regarding publication, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?
Research online beforehand. (Before that, of course, make sure you've done all your polishing and learning about how to write well.) Find out about all the many pitfalls for aspiring writers and avoid them. When submitting, check the guidelines and follow them. Expect disappointment as the staus quo. Writing success is like pop stardom: desired by many and achieved by few. Like pop stardom, it requires a mix of talent, hardwork, luck and timing. Refine your talent, put in the hard work and hope for the best.
Thank you for being on my blog today, David. How can your fans find, follow or friend you?
You can find me in all the usual venues. Hope to see you there.
website: http://www.davidjnormoyle.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-J-Normoyle/157832707561908
twitter: http://twitter.com/davidjnormoyle
Thanks for stopping by. Remember to leave a comment and be entered into the free drawing for an e-book copy of Crimson Dream.
C.K. Volnek
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