Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Douglas Wells 65

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m a military brat, so I’m from a lot of places. I was born in Seattle.

Fiona: A little about your self (ie, your education, family life, etc.).

I have a Master’s Degree in English, and I’m a Professor of English at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida. I’m married and have two sons.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

My new book, The Mourning Islands, is published on April 19 this year.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

In my teens I wrote maudlin, lovelorn-themed  poetry.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Upon completing my first novel, although it wasn’t published; still, I knew I was committed.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I just felt it was time write one, and I happened upon a good story.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

For all of my novels, especially the 3 published ones, I try to match the title with a theme in the book.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

My work is cinematically descriptive. Attempting to find the right words is always challenging.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The Mourning Islands is mystery and suspense, so I was compelled to make it as realistic as possible. The events in the book are pretty much fictional.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

There are scenes in my books which occur in places (some fictionalized) I have traveled to, but I have yet to travel somewhere specifically for a book I’m working on.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

My publisher and I collaborated on my covers

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

An abiding theme in my books is characters trying to find their place in the world and their destinies.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I haven’t read too many new writers. This summer I might try one or two. I have a trio of favorite writers. John LeCarre for his complex plots; Leo Tolstoy for his understanding of people; Kurt Vonnegut for his wacky humor.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

I would say some of my colleagues at the college supported me.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Definitely. It’s not a hobby.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Maybe a word or two here and there. A book is never really finished. There’s always something you realize in retrospect that you could’ve changed.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Yes. I had to some research about boats.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Maybe Chris Pine or Bradley Cooper for the male lead; maybe Emmy Rossum or Rachel McAdams for the female lead.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Stick with it.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I hope they enjoy my writing style, find my characters engaging, and the plot engrossing.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I just started John Le Carre’sA Legacy of Spies.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I seem to remember reading a book about Daniel Boone when I was kid.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Ironic humor/satire is my favorite. Any story or film about a dog will make me cry if the dog dies at the end.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

I really wanted to meet Stephen Hawking; alas, he’s no longer with us. I have read almost all of his books, and he introduced me to a science about which I was fairly ignorant and a world (cosmos?) I find fascinating. Plus, he had one helluva sense of humor.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Hiking in the woods, wine collecting (well, mostly wine drinking), and cooking.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

Over the past two years my wife and I have binge watched about twenty UK detective series. Luther, Shetland, Broadchurch, A Touch of Frost, and Hinterland stand out,but there are others we have enjoyed as well. As for films, my taste is extremely eclectic.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?

I am as eclectic about my food choices as I am about films. Color: Shades of blue. Music: Bach, Sarah Brightman, Ludovico Einaudi, Film scores, Nils Frahm, Max Richter, Philip Glass.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

What almost all non-writing writers do: Drink.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

Uh, drinking again, but only the really good stuff.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

It was a good run.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

My website is www.douglaswellsauthor.com. I also post any events/updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Douglas Wells is an award-winning author.His first novel, The Secrets of All Secrets, received the Literary Titan Silver Award and was a finalist in the 2017 Independent Author Network’s Book of the Year Awards. His second novel, How We End Up, also received the Literary Titan Silver Award and was a Finalist for Literary Fiction Category in the 2018 International Book Awards, the 2018 American Fiction Awards, and the 2018 Topshelf Magazine Book Awards. Douglas is a reviewer for The New York Journal of Books. He lives with his wife and two cats in Panama City Beach.

Amazon authors page USA https://www.amazon.com/Douglas-Wells/e/B0716TMPNM/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Douglas-Wells/e/B0716TMPNM?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_7&qid=1556383020&sr=1-7

Facebook: https://facebook.com/DouglasWellsAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wellsdadouglas

Amazon book link USA : https://www.amazon.com/Mourning-Islands-Douglas-Wells/dp/1946920630/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+mourning+islands&qid=1556381435&s=books&sr=1-1

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QC27YLD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0