Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Mike Darcy
When did you start writing?
The easy answer is since I was able, hopefully we've all been writing since we were taught. I've written on and off over the past 3 decades. But, it was 2024 that I committed to writing as an effective means of story telling.
What makes writing your passion?
For me, writing is my method of story telling. I love stories, the ability to lose yourself in the world crafted for you. This is true with a well written TV show, Movie, Novel, Play, and any other form of story telling. I've discovered writing as my most effective means to share.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing things for decades, but I would say I fully committed to writing in the past year (2024)
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I suppose I should say I was proud and excited, and I'm sure that I was. Truth is for me publishing my first book was the next step in the process, it is the moment you transition from writer to author. As the latter, sales and reaching readers becomes the focus. What I've learned is that I'm a story teller and the marketing and promoting is a challenging new element to writing that I am trying to learn.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Little Joe was born on a rainy evening date with my now wife. We decorated my living room with drawings of our dream house. Hidden among the drawings were Little Joe and Hopper the frog. A few years later, I first told, made up, Little Joe and the Big Rain as a bedtime story for our flower girl. The stories have grown and expanded since then, but that is where the characters became.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Marketing and promoting myself. There is a certain satisfaction when you get your book into a library or on the shelves of a book store but most of the time, I'd rather just tell my character's stories and let someone else deal with the business side of things.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I am so bad at this, I'm not the one to ask how to overcome writer's block. I've tried powering through, doesn't work for me. I've tried escaping, going for a walk or something, and had very limited success. I am now trying to create a more regimented schedule for writing, we will see if that helps but I'm terrified I'll be spending more scheduled time staring at a blank page.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
I'm sure we all have stories we want to share and I encourage everyone to find their preferred method to share. I think all authors, new or old, should remember that we should strive for collaboration not competition. Readers read, so we should work together and share our readers.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I'd probably tell myself to write more, really work on getting the stories in my head onto paper. I'd also gently suggest that I invest in Apple and BitCoin.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I read every review, and I've been blessed with really positive reviews thus far. even the "bad" one is a solid review that still recommends the book to others. I have had some editorial critiques and some of them have been, less than glowing. But, those negative critiques forced me to look at my writing honestly and justify the choices I've made.
The bad reviews may not be meant to be mean, but they should encourage you to look at your writing with fresh eyes and be certain you are happy with your choices.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
There have been a few AMAZING reviews that have brought tears to my eyes, happy of course. Usually it is when the reviewer tells about reading the book with their own children and how the messages came through. Those reviews make me feel that I've done the right thing in publishing and sharing my stories.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
There are elements of my life and the lives of my pets in all my Little Joe stories. Yes, I've had several encounters with bears in the woods. Yes, I had a dog that would escape from the backyard and she ended up in the city pound. Yes, my current cat had been adopted and returned twice before we adopted him.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
I think Little Joe is the puppy version of the young me. Always wandering through the forest finding "things" and exploring places. For the most part, these characters have become their own beings, now I tell the stories as they share them with me. With each book their own personalities grow and shine through and I become the observer.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
For sales, yes. For writing, no. In fact, for sales the book cover may be the single most important element of your book.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love connecting with readers, it fills my soul to hear how the stories I share have impacted or brought joy to others' lives.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I am still learning to accept compliments and recognition. It isn't something that is easy for me or something that comes naturally. So, if you see me in public and tell me how you love Little Joe and you see wrap myself in my arms and draw into myself with a forced smile as I mumble something unintelligible; just know I really am happy and do appreciate you, I'm just REALLY bad at accepting compliments.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Wow, this is a tough one, specially as I am currently re-re-re-rereading The Testaments by Margret Atwood.
But, I'll say Suzanne Collins. She is one of the few authors who I desperately want more stories about other Districts and Victors within the world of Panem. She is able to weave her messages throughout her writing and I can't get enough.
Others would be Margret Atwood, Gary Paulsen, David Morrel, Rudyard Kipling, Arnold Lobel, and A.A. Milne
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
The dream? I just want to be able to go hiking, all the time.
I happen to live in the same community as Archer Mayor. That is big enough for me, I'd be completely happy to having writing allow me to do what I want in life.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Maybe? I feel like any rewrites happen through the drafting and editing process for me. Once they are published, they've been rewritten enough.
I think we can always look back and see changes we want to make, BUT, we should not become George Lucas's example and "fix" our past works. PS leave Star Wars alone, Yoda should be a puppet, and New Hope was better without the CG add ons.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
Meh, I am pretty happy being me and no matter how challenging, I like the path I'm on. I don't need to switch places with anyone, but if some famous author reads this and wants to share the wealth, I'd happily accept the promotion and help!
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I guess there are two things to say. First, all press is good press. So, even when you attack someone else for whatever reason you think you have, that shows engagement for them and when there is a crappy review some will read it to just to find out why. So, it isn't working.
Second, I'm sorry you are so angry. I don't know what has happened to you that allows you to justify trying to tear down others but it makes no sense. A rising tide floats all boats, maybe we should try lifting others and not sinking them.
PS as someone who has written some pretty harsh reviews myself here is the most simple suggestion to authors out there. STOP using AI. That is a surefire way to ensure bad reviews.
What would you say to your readers?
Support new authors! Leave reviews, it is the life blood of the business side of this whole industry. Share with your friends, us new and small authors depend on the magical organic growth method. Back to the reviews, reach out to us, the most full-filling moments as a writer is when we get positive feedback and support from someone we don't know who loves our work. That is how you will get more books from us.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I currently live in Southern New Hampshire, but I grew up on the other side of the river in Vermont. I am married, for 20 years now, and we have one grown child headed to College this fall. We have a dog and a cat, and that is me.
What is your day job if you have one?
I am an operations manager for a small brass window hardware company.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Hiking, that is my free time, my hobby, yeah my me. When I'm not working or sitting at home you can find me in the mountains.
I also enjoy playing 4X and world building games, gardening, and I've even taken to running as of late.
Did you have a happy childhood?
The grass is always greener, right? I had a happy childhood, though I'm sure some would see the challenges and negative elements, I know my childhood was better than most and I'm certain worse than others.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I don't think there is anything particular that started me writing, it was a progression that naturally led to publishing my book.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have 6 unpublished Little Joe stories right now. Fully written and edited and ready to go. There are several other Little Joe ideas that I am slowly writing.
I do have a manuscript that I have started work on, though it is just an outline right now. It is Middle Grade and the working title is The Homework Fairy. I'll leave it mysterious there.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
I'd love to see the focus for students to more on learning, not testing. Of course I'd love to see encouragement in reading and writing. I'd love for our education system to turn the attention span tide, so that young people are able to think in more than 148 characters.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
Hmm,
Let's call it human harmony, an end to the hate and division. Maybe just maybe we can come together as a species and stop killing each other.
Free and unlimited energy, for vehicles and all of our power consumption needs. So we can stop fighting over what others have.
A cabin in the woods, either something on an isolated lake or a year round brook. Yes, I get one personal fulfillment wish.
What is your favorite music?
I love most music genres. Although I've never been able to enjoy country music. I often listen to Nine Inch Nails while writing, I guess it calms my mind.
Share a secret with us 🙂
You have a piece of spinach between your teeth.
How many of you just checked?