Interview with JK Dark

Today we're chatting with author JK Dark who's got a new book coming out next month.

Welcome to We Do Write. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, I’m your typical middle aged balding white man. I was born and raised in St Louis, Missouri, and have had the good fortune to live on both the east & west coast of this beautiful country, before coming home in 1998. I have worked in the plant & soil science field all my adult life, which is an embellished way to say I know a lot about Fertilizer!

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing my entire life. I decided after prompting from family and friends, to really persue it seriously about 5 years ago. It beats writing copy for trade and industry publications, which is what I found myself spending a great deal of time doing career wise.

Let's hear about your new book. What's it called and what's it about?

Dark Thoughts and Dark Forces is the title, it is a collection of fictional short stories in the horror/ mystery/suspense genre. To summarize it, I suppose it examines and questions the mind of man and the mystery of killing human beings. There are a few supernatural twists in the stories and a glimpse of New Orleans voodoo sprinkled in for good measure. It is a departure from my normal genre, and one I enjoyed writing, As I found fiction removes the need for logical endings to a story.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

Gosh, these stories are a collection of experiences, cultures, and the search for understanding or order in a senseless mystery, which I find killing of man to be.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, ordo you self-edit?

I use my blog as a raw unedited sharing of my stories. I find the readers that visit regularly provide great feedback and are not hesitant to express like and dislikes to opinions or a subject. From that I have determined both by feedback and raw number of hits, what my audience not only likes, but as important reads and wants more of from me.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I am very much a planner. I’m already planning two books ahead. Next is a full length novel of the same genre. I find most of my writer friends to be the same way, planning and crafting of a book is very much a planning function.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Easily the hardest part has been editing, as you have discovered by now. Finding a professional editor to work with has been the best thing I have ever done. And learning to come to grips with the fact that perhaps what I believe to be my best paragraph or writing may need to be discarded in order to better the story or chapter. That can be a hard pill to swallow for a writer.

Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Dorothy, if you find black coffee and cigarettes deep, then my CD collection must make me Hemmingway like!

LOL.

I don’t know how deep that probes or speaks to my writing habits, but I find all three to be both prominent and a necessity when writing. I hope to drop the cigarettes from the mix soon though.

Good idea. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Easy, it would be Super hearing. Imagine the story possibilities!

What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

Oh Lord! I would be afraid to even look at my google history!
I guess on the exciting side, an erotic thesaurus, searching for the right words for a story. On the boring side, a data table on the fishing industry in Plaquemines Parrish Louisiana, while doing research for another story.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: plastic wrap, dinosaur, and arguable.


The man’s body went in the plastic wrap in an arguable fashion, as he was still alive, but he would soon become as extinct as a dinosaur when the air escaped his lungs.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who aresupporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I will undoubtedly fail to mention someone; however I am blessed with many good friends who lend me encouragement and support. Among them, many writers who are arguably (do I get bonus points for the use in two sentences?) (Yes, you do!) are the most selfless people when it comes to helping or providing feedback to another writer. And of course my family, I promise I gave proper credit in the acknowledgement section of the new book.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

Both my first book: Anecdotes, Short Stories & Mind Clutter, as well as Dark Thoughts & Dark Forces, are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, As well as the many great Independent bookstores. They can also be found on my blog which is www.onthedarksidewordpress.com

I am also a contributor to The Good Men project www.goodmenproject.com which is an e-magazine.

Dark Thoughts and Dark Forces will be available April 1st in ebook format and April 15th in paperback.

Thanks so much for chatting with us today. I wish you continued success with your books.

Thanks!