Interview with author Steve DeWinter
Tracee Gleichner
June 16, 2011
About Steve DeWinter
I was born and grew up loving to read. But enough about me; you´re here for my books. If you like super-charged thrillers that merge high-tech gadgetry with ancient mythology and pit the outcast against powerful clandestine organizations, you are among friends.
My goal as a writer is to transport you to fresh and exciting worlds that not only take you on a white-knuckle ride but leave you hungry for more when you finally turn that last page and reluctantly slam shut the back cover of the book.
This is my promise to you the reader.
I will continue to satisfy your never-ending desire for more. So keep reading!
When one story ends, another begins.
To find out more about Steve visit www.stevedw.com
The Interview
Where are you from?
I was born in Dillon, Montana. Ahhh Big Sky Country. When I was three, my family moved. Eventually, I found them again. Calm down, just kidding. After we moved to California when I was three, I have lived here ever since and am as close to native Californian as you can get without actually being born in California.
When and why did you begin writing?
I have always enjoyed reading, and each story I read prompted a flurry of what-ifs in my imagination. This happened so much, that I had to start writing them down just to keep track of everything. I finally took the plunge and wrote my debut novel during the summer of 2006 over a six week period.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I've always considered myself a writer. Even though I wrote, directed and produced a feature length film (available on DVD) and a full-cast wild west radio show (my own dramatic take on the Lone Ranger mythology), my favorite part of each of those projects was the writing.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My inspiration was reading the awesome spy thrillers of Robert Ludlum. But what really prompted me to actually write the first book was being laid off and telling my wife that I wouldn't be looking for a "real" job until I had written my book. Six weeks later the first draft was completed.
Do you have a specific writing style?
My writing style focuses on what the bad guys are up to as well as the hero of the story. For this reason, I do not write first person narratives and stick with the third person point of view so I can switch characters as needed and tell each part of the story from the most exciting perspective.
How did you come up with the title?
My book was originally titled Line Of Succession. But when another book was published last August with the same name, and similar looking cover, I read through my book again to look for another name that would still capture the essence of my story. And I think I actually got a better fit for the title out of the change.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I mostly want readers to have fun reading my book. It is the perfect beach read. But the underlying theme in most of my writing is that liberty is something we have to fight for if we want to keep it. And to watch out for those who will step all over your personal liberties in order to get something for themselves.
How much of the book is realistic?
Earlier drafts of the book had a supernatural element to it that I have since removed leaving it completely within the modern world with no "unexplained" events taking place. I do a ton of research for each book and try to interlace actual facts with the fiction of my story. Any "facts" in the story that conflict with what someone else "knows" are a direct result of my taking creative liberty in order to craft an exciting story for my readers.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I would hope that nothing that happens in my books would take place in real life. As a thriller writer, I look for the worst possible situation and make it happen. My writing is intended for entertainment purposes only.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Apart from the numerous books I have read on the craft of writing, I am sticking to my original story. Robert Ludlum made me want to be a writer. I enjoyed reading his books and wanted to be able to pass on the feeling I got to the next generation of readers.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I have a stable of writers who unknowingly helped me both in the craft of writing and the business of being a published author. I'd like to thank Robert Ludlum and James Rollins for creating and maintaining the type of audience who just might enjoy my books. And I would like to thank Barry Eisler and J.A. Konrath for helping me keep a solid perspective on what I am; the business owner of my own writing career.
What book are you reading now?
Right now I am reading A Touch Of Deceit by Gary Ponzo. He grabbed me with the first chapter and just wouldn't let go.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
One new author that I have enjoyed recently is Kieth Thompson who wrote Once Upon A Spy and the sequel Twice A Spy. It was gripping and exciting, with a dash of humor.
What are your current projects?
My current project is a six book novelette series, titled Hired Guns, which is modeled after the U.K. television serial format. Each novelette follows the adventures of Joe and Kat, two Las Vegas private investigators, just like a television series follows recurring characters. Each episode, or book in my case, is a complete story, but since my primary format for writing is the long-form novel, I have included an overall plotline that will spread across all six novelettes. The question posed in the first book will be answered by the sixth book. I am pleased to announce that Book 1 is already available on Amazon.com.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Other writers like Barry Eisler and J.A. Konrath. They pulled back the curtain on the mystery that is publishing and shared their insights and thoughts on what it was like, how they see it now, and where they think it might be going. They are willing to share their experience in publishing. That, in and of itself, is the most valuable thing they could have done for new writers such as me.
Do you see writing as a career?
I see writing as a business and my chosen career. And the more effort I put into it, the more I will get out of it.
What do you think makes a good story?
I am a pretty easy going reader. If something entertained me, I thought it was a good story. While I am easy to please, please don´t bore me.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
My favorite part of the writing process is all the research. I come across dozens of facts about our world that I would most likely never have known if I hadn´t written this novel. One of these gems of uncommon knowledge is the unique features of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. They were so interesting that I included them as a location in my book.
About Inherit the Throne
"Just like "24″, only better!" "A female Jason Bourne!" — Textnovel Readers
Some lines should never be crossed.
Living under a new identity in the tiny Northwestern tourist town at the base of Mount Hood, Melissa thought she had finally escaped her past. That is until an assassin tries to kill her and forces her back into a treacherous shadow world she vowed never to return.
That same night an unmanned robotic SUV slams into the limousine of the Vice President of the United States and detonates with several hundred pounds of explosives. Melissa soon discovers that the attack on the Vice President and the attempt on her own life are related.
And time is running out to find out who wants her dead and why she alone holds the key to saving the President of the United States.
I was born and grew up loving to read. But enough about me; you´re here for my books. If you like super-charged thrillers that merge high-tech gadgetry with ancient mythology and pit the outcast against powerful clandestine organizations, you are among friends.
My goal as a writer is to transport you to fresh and exciting worlds that not only take you on a white-knuckle ride but leave you hungry for more when you finally turn that last page and reluctantly slam shut the back cover of the book.
This is my promise to you the reader.
I will continue to satisfy your never-ending desire for more. So keep reading!
When one story ends, another begins.
To find out more about Steve visit www.stevedw.com
The Interview
Where are you from?
I was born in Dillon, Montana. Ahhh Big Sky Country. When I was three, my family moved. Eventually, I found them again. Calm down, just kidding. After we moved to California when I was three, I have lived here ever since and am as close to native Californian as you can get without actually being born in California.
When and why did you begin writing?
I have always enjoyed reading, and each story I read prompted a flurry of what-ifs in my imagination. This happened so much, that I had to start writing them down just to keep track of everything. I finally took the plunge and wrote my debut novel during the summer of 2006 over a six week period.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I've always considered myself a writer. Even though I wrote, directed and produced a feature length film (available on DVD) and a full-cast wild west radio show (my own dramatic take on the Lone Ranger mythology), my favorite part of each of those projects was the writing.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My inspiration was reading the awesome spy thrillers of Robert Ludlum. But what really prompted me to actually write the first book was being laid off and telling my wife that I wouldn't be looking for a "real" job until I had written my book. Six weeks later the first draft was completed.
Do you have a specific writing style?
My writing style focuses on what the bad guys are up to as well as the hero of the story. For this reason, I do not write first person narratives and stick with the third person point of view so I can switch characters as needed and tell each part of the story from the most exciting perspective.
How did you come up with the title?
My book was originally titled Line Of Succession. But when another book was published last August with the same name, and similar looking cover, I read through my book again to look for another name that would still capture the essence of my story. And I think I actually got a better fit for the title out of the change.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I mostly want readers to have fun reading my book. It is the perfect beach read. But the underlying theme in most of my writing is that liberty is something we have to fight for if we want to keep it. And to watch out for those who will step all over your personal liberties in order to get something for themselves.
How much of the book is realistic?
Earlier drafts of the book had a supernatural element to it that I have since removed leaving it completely within the modern world with no "unexplained" events taking place. I do a ton of research for each book and try to interlace actual facts with the fiction of my story. Any "facts" in the story that conflict with what someone else "knows" are a direct result of my taking creative liberty in order to craft an exciting story for my readers.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I would hope that nothing that happens in my books would take place in real life. As a thriller writer, I look for the worst possible situation and make it happen. My writing is intended for entertainment purposes only.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Apart from the numerous books I have read on the craft of writing, I am sticking to my original story. Robert Ludlum made me want to be a writer. I enjoyed reading his books and wanted to be able to pass on the feeling I got to the next generation of readers.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I have a stable of writers who unknowingly helped me both in the craft of writing and the business of being a published author. I'd like to thank Robert Ludlum and James Rollins for creating and maintaining the type of audience who just might enjoy my books. And I would like to thank Barry Eisler and J.A. Konrath for helping me keep a solid perspective on what I am; the business owner of my own writing career.
What book are you reading now?
Right now I am reading A Touch Of Deceit by Gary Ponzo. He grabbed me with the first chapter and just wouldn't let go.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
One new author that I have enjoyed recently is Kieth Thompson who wrote Once Upon A Spy and the sequel Twice A Spy. It was gripping and exciting, with a dash of humor.
What are your current projects?
My current project is a six book novelette series, titled Hired Guns, which is modeled after the U.K. television serial format. Each novelette follows the adventures of Joe and Kat, two Las Vegas private investigators, just like a television series follows recurring characters. Each episode, or book in my case, is a complete story, but since my primary format for writing is the long-form novel, I have included an overall plotline that will spread across all six novelettes. The question posed in the first book will be answered by the sixth book. I am pleased to announce that Book 1 is already available on Amazon.com.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Other writers like Barry Eisler and J.A. Konrath. They pulled back the curtain on the mystery that is publishing and shared their insights and thoughts on what it was like, how they see it now, and where they think it might be going. They are willing to share their experience in publishing. That, in and of itself, is the most valuable thing they could have done for new writers such as me.
Do you see writing as a career?
I see writing as a business and my chosen career. And the more effort I put into it, the more I will get out of it.
What do you think makes a good story?
I am a pretty easy going reader. If something entertained me, I thought it was a good story. While I am easy to please, please don´t bore me.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
My favorite part of the writing process is all the research. I come across dozens of facts about our world that I would most likely never have known if I hadn´t written this novel. One of these gems of uncommon knowledge is the unique features of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. They were so interesting that I included them as a location in my book.
About Inherit the Throne
"Just like "24″, only better!" "A female Jason Bourne!" — Textnovel Readers
Some lines should never be crossed.
Living under a new identity in the tiny Northwestern tourist town at the base of Mount Hood, Melissa thought she had finally escaped her past. That is until an assassin tries to kill her and forces her back into a treacherous shadow world she vowed never to return.
That same night an unmanned robotic SUV slams into the limousine of the Vice President of the United States and detonates with several hundred pounds of explosives. Melissa soon discovers that the attack on the Vice President and the attempt on her own life are related.
And time is running out to find out who wants her dead and why she alone holds the key to saving the President of the United States.
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