Paul and Paula's Place: W.D. FRANK

I have known W.D. FRANK for a bit over a year. I've yet to read LUCIFER'S LADDER, W.D.'s first traditionally published novel.

But, I have read other works of his. Many of the characters are ones I would not like to have in my life,while others are vulnerable and engage. However...! His stories are lush with imagery and extremely difficult to put aside once started. The reasoning to me is found in one of his answers below ~

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I honestly don't think I ever thought about being a professional writer until I started writing. Well, that is not entirely true. I didn't think about writing novels when I was a kid, but I wanted to write screenplays and make movies. At one point during my childhood, I wanted to be a marine biologist. In fact, that was my ultimate dream at the time. I was utterly obsessed with fish. It is funny to think of the things we dream about when we are children.

2.How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on the book. I wrote Lucifer's Ladder in around three months if my memory serves, but I never rush anything. I take things at my own pace in order to ensure that the finished product is perfect. It doesn't normally take me as long as you would think to finish the first draft, however, it does take time and lots of patience. If I had to give a real answer, then I suppose it takes me at least six months to finish novels these days.

3.What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Oh, God! I don't want to sound whiny, but it is such a nightmare balancing all of the stuff on my schedule. (Especially since I have people who actually care to see me these days) I spend most of my time during the day promoting my published work on the internet as I simultaneously mow through as many of my other daily jobs and family obligations as humanly possible. Then I write a few pages at night. I realize that part sounds easy, but you have no idea of how time-consuming writing is for me personally. I spend an unholy amount of time just deciding my word choices. Everything has to look beautiful on the page. If I am not too exhausted after that, I will play a video-game... or watch a television show at the very least. Remember, kids! Entertainment is absolutely vital to a person's mental health.

4.What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have so many quirks as a writer, but I suppose that my most interesting one involves me occasionally taking on my protagonist's personality traits and mannerisms. Writing is a lot like acting for me. I slip into another world and I channel my character through me. I once ruined a potential relationship because I was still in the mindset of my frigid and narcissistic protagonist from Lucifer's Ladder. I was talking like him and even acting like him to an extent. It doesn't usually last long. I typically transition back to my normal self soon after I stop writing. My date just caught me at the wrong time.

5.How do books get published?

Books are published through inhuman patience and seemingly irrational persistence on their writer's part.

6.Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Sometimes the ideas just come from some sort of deep and unseen well of knowledge in my soul. When I become aware of an idea, I write it down and wonder how the concept in question could have possibly been born. I occasionally even know things that I shouldn't know. It weirds me out! "Where in the blazing hell did it come from?" That is something I constantly ask myself. That being said, I actually know where Lucifer's Ladder came from for the most part. It was primarily inspired by Japanese role-playing games such as Final Fantasy and the psychological horror masterpiece known as Silent Hill 2. I also longed to see a story that featured a dark and ruthless protagonist like Hugh. Perhaps I needed to see him. I was struggling with a lot of darkness of my own at the time.

7.When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote my first book in 2009. I was eighteen at the time.

8.What do you like to do when you're not writing?

This is going to sound incredibly nerdy, but I am a huge geek. I love playing video games and watching lots of television... especially anime. I am currently geeking out over Berserk and the upcoming Pokemon games.

9.What does your family think of your writing?

My family is proud of my writing. (Especially now that I have been traditionally published!)

10.What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I suppose the most surprising thing I learned is how natural it feels for me to create entire worlds and histories from nothing. I can conjure an entire universe into existence and it feels as typical as slipping on a pair of pajamas.

11.How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Is it bad that I don't know the answer to that first question? At least eight, I suppose. Although, I have likely written a lot more than that. My personal favorite out of all of the books I have created is Lucifer's Ladder because of how personal the story is to me.

12.Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

I realize this sounds cliché’, but just keep at it. Writing is something you naturally become better at as you go along. Write a couple of novels and admire your progress. I guarantee that you will see the improvement.

13.Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

It depends on the readers, but they mostly say positive things. I have a few haters, but the fans are the people I concern myself with. If I am making the fans happy, then I am happy.

14.Do you like to create books for adults?

I don't write books for children. My stories are intended for adults, but if children want to read them and their parents let them, then I am all for it. Personally, I think my writing is better for children than most of the mindless crap that is being shoved down their throats.

15.What do you think makes a good story?

Characters who feel as real as family, an unforgettable story, and a unique atmosphere.

16.As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Like I said earlier, I wanted to be a marine biologist... or at least a rapper like Eminem or LL Cool J when I was a child, but now I remember very little about aquatic life and while I still appreciate good rap songs, I am not as into it as I used to be. I am more obsessed with David Bowie and Nobuo Uematsu these days.