Author David E Gordon, stopped by today to discuss his new book Cutter and for a little Q&A session. Let’s give him a warm welcome.
How would you describe Cutter to someone who has not read any of your previous novels?
David E Gordon: This is easy since this is my first book. Self-made billionaire Robert Cutter made his money investing in struggling companies. Plagued by “accidents”, it becomes apparent someone is trying to kill him. The accidents and the resulting concussion make him question his life and bring his, not so perfect past, back into focus. Robert Cutter has everything a man could ask for – money, women, cars, houses, and power. But, with the latest attempts on his life, he starts to rethink his life and evoke change. Soon he begins to realize that what was important is no longer that significant. He thought he had everything, but he had nothing.
Will your next book also feature some of the characters from Cutter?
David E Gordon: Yes, some of the characters will be part of the second book. They may not be the primary characters, but they will have roles. I don’t think a good character can ever go away, they just change – a little.
Which part of researching Cutter was the most personally interesting to you? Were there any facts, symbols, or themes that you would have liked to include, but they just didn’t make into the story?
David E Gordon: The part that was the most interesting to me was researching some of the sites that are included in the book. I love to travel so this was easy for me. Nothing in particular got left out of the book.
Are your books available in any other eBook stores other than Amazon and Barnes & Noble?
David E Gordon: It is also available through iBooks. But, I am also looking into putting it into print.
Does your series have to be read in order?
David E Gordon: I don’t think of this as a series, so no.
What inspired you to write this book?
David E Gordon: There wasn’t any one thing that inspired me to be honest. Just life. I started off just writing a simple story and it grew from there all on its own.
What’s the message of this book?
David E Gordon: I didn’t write the book with any particular message in mind. But, I would say that you could take away from this that a person should always look at their life and make sure they are happy with themselves.
How do you relate to the characters?
David E Gordon: Well, in my “regular” career I am a finance professional so I can relate to a lot of what Robert does for his career. I think we all want to try and help people out, so that comes out in the book also.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
David E Gordon: My second book is about a man who wakes up after being in a coma for five years. It is about him learning about his old life and the challenges that he faces because of it. He will also have to decide if he wants to continue to be the person he was, or this a chance to be different. Perhaps even better?
What are you reading right now? Are there any authors that you would name as influences?
David E Gordon: I am currently reading The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry. I really enjoy his books, they all have engaging storylines for his characters.
What challenges came with writing?
David E Gordon: The biggest challenge that I faced wasn’t with writing the first book as much as it was with all of the work that came afterwards. Especially the editing because I sometimes felt like I was changing something I had labored on so much. Unfortunately this has made my second book harder to write because I find myself trying too hard to write it, instead of letting the characters tell me their stories.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
David E Gordon: I enjoy spending time with my family. I have an amazing wife who is also my best friend. My son is almost 16, a wonderful young man and absolute joy to be around. My daughter is about to graduate as a teacher and works incredibly hard – through school and a job. We do get to spend some time together, and I cherish it all. I also enjoy playing poker, golf, xBox games, travel, and Disney.
Favorite films?
David E Gordon: I am a James Bond fan, but like lots of different movies. Mostly I generally like movies in the thriller, action, drama genre.
Favorite music? Do you have a playlist specifically for writing?
David E Gordon: I don’t have a favorite genre of music, in fact if you shuffle my music list you can get just about anything. Depending on my mood I may just do that when I have to serious writing.
If you had a book club, what would it be reading — and why?
David E Gordon: Probably Steve Berry, David Baldacci, Tom Clancy, or James Patterson since I love their story lines and their characters. But, my book club would read just about anything that any members felt like reading. I try to keep an open mind about genres – you never know where the next enjoyable read will come from.
Do you write with a detailed master plan, or take a general idea and characters and see where it goes as you write? Why?
David E Gordon: I started writing what I thought was a good story and then developed it as I went. After a while I would make changes to fit the plot developing. For my second book though I did spend more time developing a basic plot line and story. But, even now the characters seem to keep calling for changes.
How do you develop your characters to make them seem like real people?
David E Gordon: Once I knew I needed a character in the story, I would just write him/her in. Then I would fill him/her out in the way I would expect him or her to be if I were to actually meet them. I didn’t make them out to be superior, just normal people so I pulled from my own experiences.
What’s your schedule like as a writer? Do you work 9 to 5, or fit it in where you can around other things like a job or running a household?
David E Gordon: I have a “regular” job that I work 9 to 5 and help around the house also. My commute includes a 40 minute train ride to and from, so I do some writing there. I also find time in between chores and life to write, and my wife gives me the time and space I need to do it.
Give us three “Good to Know” facts about you. Be creative. Tell us about your first job, the inspiration for your writing, any fun details that would enliven your page.
David E Gordon: I am a softie at heart. It doesn’t take much to get me to tear up. Just ask my wife – I can cry at almost any AT&T commercial. I am also a huge Goofy fan, not just in a funny t-shirt kind of way either. My cell phone case, candy jar, mug(s), etc. And when we are at Disney, I will go out of my way and stand in line like a little kid for a picture. The last thing to know is that I can watch some of my favorite movies – even the (bad) ones – over and over again, even picking it up in the middle.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
David E Gordon: This has been an amazing journey, from just writing a little story that popped into my head to actually releasing it. That was on Wednesday, September 17th and it has been a crazy ride. Between the editing, cover design,re-editing, re-writing, and marketing. I can’t believe how much work has gone into actually getting this book out to the public. And now, it is up to my readers to decide if it is ok. I hope that you will enjoy the story my characters helped me decide to tell.
Purchase Links for Cutter:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cutter-David-E-Gordon-ebook/dp/B00MOQ19OE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411434329&sr=8-1&keywords=David+E+Gordon+Cutter
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cutter-david-e-gordon/1120137910?ean=2940150420960
love & kisses,
Mika Jolie
David E. Gordon Author says
Reblogged this on David E Gordon Author and commented:
My friend MIka Jolie posted this interview to her blog, of our interview for my debut suspense/thriller novel. Give her a read – she is alos a good author.