An Interview With Ohio Author, Daniel Bautz
Daniel Bautz invites readers on a chilling and thrilling
adventure through his mesmerizing novels and short stories. His latest work, Aristotle
James and The Phantom Funeral Coach, transports readers to the 1980s in a
gripping tale that sparks the imagination.
His award-winning debut, Life Is In The Blood, takes
you on a spine-tingling journey through the mysterious 19th century, capturing
the essence of historical horror. For those who crave more, Rampage at Redd
Ranch and The Haunting of McMurtry Manor offer prequels that will
keep you on the edge of your seat.
Bautz's talent extends to short stories featured in
anthologies such as Autumn Tales, showcasing Made of Clay, and Autumn
Tales II, featuring In Burgundy and Wine. For a captivating twist, Von
Otto’s Child and Other Forsaken Offspring is a collection of compelling
stories, while War On Christmas: Down The Chimney promises a humorous
thrill as an action holiday satire.
Follow Daniel Bautz on an exhilarating journey through horror and adventure, where each tale is designed to leave you spellbound!
Welcome, Daniel!
GM: Can you share the initial spark that ignited your journey
into writing?
DB: The ignition was missing my Siberian husky, AJ. I
wanted a way to have him in my life again and concocted the story that became Aristotle
James and The Phantom Funeral Coach. Once I let some people read it and
loved it, that coupled with the joy it brought me to write it, had me pursuing
writing.
GM: What is your favorite part of the writing process and why?
DB: Without being facetious, I love every aspect of
writing. Drafting, editing, all of it.
GM: How do you handle writer's block?
DB: I write. Always write. If the words aren’t flowing it’s
okay. I just make sure to write something, anything. And I find the dam usually
breaks and the words flow freely once more.
GM: What are your research methods?
DB: I am a hobbyist researcher. I thirst for knowledge.
That said, the research depends on the project. For Life Is In The Blood,
I did so much research. Aristotle James hardly any. It depends where the
knowledge gaps are. I find google is great, other times I’m in the library or I
am speaking with an expert over the phone.
GM: How do your personal experiences influence your storytelling?
DB: My personal experiences influence my interests and they
affect the stories I tell. But with that in mind, sometimes I have to set aside
personal experiences to tell a story that presents multiple perspectives.
GM: What themes or messages do you most aspire to convey in
your work?
DB: Each book has an overarching theme. But I never want to
sacrifice storytelling to impart a message. I’m here to tell stories first and
foremost. I want a reader to have a thrill when they read a book. If they get
something more, that’s great, but I want them mostly to have a good time
reading a good story.
GM: Who are some authors or works that have significantly inspired
you?
DB: Edgar Allan Poe, Joe R. Lansdale, Mordecai Richler,
Washington Irving, Brad Meltzer, and so many others.
GM: Can you discuss any challenges you've faced in the publishing
industry?
DB: Obscurity and the waning interest in reading as
entertainment. I think some folks are proud to tell you they don’t read. That’s
sad to me. I get it’s hard sometimes to find the time, but reading does so much
for me, I think it’s important to find time for it.
GM: How do you develop characters to ensure they resonate
with readers?
DB: I try to make all my characters three dimensional. That
they have their own personalities and motivations. It’s paramount to have
characters that ring true or the reader won’t care what happens to them.
GM: What do you hope readers take away after finishing one of
your books?
DB: Number one thing above all else, they had a thrill ride
that left them feeling like they witnessed an adventure.
GM: What advice would you give aspiring authors trying to break
into the industry?
DB: Read, a lot. Then write even more!
GM: What are you currently reading?
DB: The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury (For the
1000th time)!
Connect with Daniel…
Instagram: @dbautzy
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