Q: When did you consider
yourself a writer? That time when you realized that you crossed the line from
"want to be a writer" to "I am a writer."
A: When Return
to UKOO became more important than who wrote it. UKOO existed in the Universal
Mind waiting for someone to capture it. Perhaps for the first time in my writing
life, it didn't matter who wrote the book. Before that, each project had as its
goal to see Don Hurst (Early on, Don Douglas Hurst) listed as author. Return
to UKOO became its own star.
Q: Do you feel you have
more than one voice in your writing.?
A: I do. I have the 'entertaining' voice, the 'spiritual' voice; and the 'teaching' voice, in that order of importance.
Q: What kept you writing
while getting rejection slips and struggling with writer's block?
A: The NEED to write and express myself creatively. In art school
I studied my esoteric painting style and said: "Maybe I'm a writer." Something
clicked when I found Writers' Village University on-line. [www.WritersVillage.com] My fellow writers helped me build my story with advice and editing.
For writers block
I take a nap with the problem on mind and often wake up with an answer. (I'm
70, so the naps come easily.) The other way I overcome the block is to type and
type until something shows up.
Q: Do you use certain tricks
that help prevent you from straying from your goal?
A: Reading 'how to'
books and magazines on the subject of writing. I once gave up writing in my twenties,
then along came the computer with spell and grammar checks. No longer would I
have to retype page after page, misspell word after word. I joke that I'm 'spelling
challenged' and 'tense dense', but it's no joke. Also, I sent a book length manuscript
to a paid critic and he told me to give up writing. Every time I thought of giving
up again, I remembered his devastating advice. At WVU, my fellow writers encourage
and try to help. No one tells anyone to give up.
Contrary, we all believe in 'keep writing no matter what.'
Expect self doubt
and to read other author's works who you think are better than you ever could be. I
wish I could write like J.K. Rowling with her Harry Potter series. The fact is,
I'm Don Hurst and write as only Don Hurst can. J.K. Rowling could not write like
Don Hurst, should such a strange desire ever enter her mind.
Q: Do you use certain tricks
that help prevent you from straying from your Return to UKOO writing goal?
A: I attacked the
project with narrow focus. I wrote Return to UKOO a little each day, never
deviating. UKOO took on a life of its own, as if sharing its life with me rather
than me creating anything.
Q: How long have you belonged to a writers' group?
A: I've belonged
to Writers' Village University for about three years. It's the only writers
group I've ever belonged to. I have a lifetime membership.
Q: Where did you come up
with the idea for Return to UKOO?
A: The idea for Return
to UKOO came to me while reading J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. What if a forty year old Harry Potter returned to his wizard training school, Hogwarts, without knowing
he was a wizard; with no memory of having ever been there?
From that inspiration
point, I woke up each morning and wrote down my morning reveries. UKOO, of course,
has nothing to do with Harry Potter.
Q: How do you develop your
plots and characters? Do you use any set formulas?
A: I hate formulas! (Not for others, just for me.) I flow
with whatever comes to mind and allow it to express itself fully without edit. I'm
often surprised when certain characters and situations show up. It's a joy! Formulas destroys this joy for me.
Q: What are your current projects?
A: I've written another
book, Cloud Riders in the first draft. I also have a sequel to UKOO in
the planning stages.
Q: What dreams have been
realized as a result of your writing? Any special memories that you'd like to
share?
A: My dream that
one day I'd create something of enough worth that others could see its value. Return
to UKOO made me realize that a lifelong dream can come true. I'm a writer! I knew it, now others know it too.
Short term dream? UKOO found a home! I'm ecstatic! For dreams to come true first you have to have one.
I dream of readers finding the humor in my fantasy adventure.
Q: If you had to do it over
again, would you do anything differently?
A: Early in life
I would have read more and turned off the Television once in a while.
Q: What do you feel is one major benefit to e-publishing?
A: I can change text. Folks can download an inexpensive e-book for about the price of a couple of hamburgers. There are no books for bookstores to return.
A book is created only when wanted. Publishing on demand (POD) is the
future, in my opinion.
Q: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
A: Read and write
every day. Remember, only you can express yourself as you do, no one else has
your voice. Trust yourself. Love
yourself. Study your craft. Write
with a passion, and don't compare your writing to anyone else's.
Turn off the TV once
in a while. Remember, advice can be accepted or rejected. If someone suggests you to stop writing, forgive them. They're
just frightened you'll succeed and leave them behind.
Don
