Tell
us about yourself first.
I
am the proud father of two sons and two daughters.
When
not spending time with my children, writing, teaching, or promoting
my works, I speak to troubled children through the Straight
Ahead Program and host a Comedy
Benefit each year for A Wish Come True, Inc. Visit:
www.StevenManchester.com
Tell
us about your new book, Twelve
Months
Don
DiMarco has a very good life – a family he loves, a comfortable
lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also
thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced
with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if
he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he
didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most
ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his
most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he
barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve
months is time enough to live a life in full. A glorious celebration
of each and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as
the eternal bonds that we all share, Twelve
Months is a stirring testament
to the power of the human spirit.
When
did you start writing?
I’d
just returned home from Operation Desert Storm, and was working as a
prison investigator in Massachusetts. Needless to say, there was
great negativity in my life at that time. I decided to return to
college to finish my degree in Criminal Justice. During one of the
classes, the professor talked about police work but nothing else. I
finally raised my hand and asked, “The criminal justice system is
vast. What about the courts, probation, parole – corrections?” He
smiled and told me to see him after class. I thought I’d finally
done it! In his office, he explained, “There’s no written
material out there on corrections or prisons, except from the slanted
perspective of inmates.” He smiled again and dropped the bomb. “If
you’re so smart,” he said, “why don’t you write it?” Nine
months later, I dropped the first draft of 6-5;
A Different Shade of Blue on his
desk. From then on, I was hooked. I was a writer.
What
inspired you to write this book?
My
wife and children. They inspire all of my writing.
Has
the Internet helped you in your writing career?
Yes—it’s
hard to be successful today without social media.
What
are the major challenges that you have faced in your career?
The
greatest challenge for me has been time. First and foremost, I am a
Dad and my children come first. After that, there are other
responsibilities that need my attention. Yet, my passion to write has
constantly gnawed at my soul.
To
overcome the obstacle of time, I made writing a priority over
watching TV and sometimes even sleeping. Once my family is taken care
of and the world closes its eyes, I’m up for a few more hours each
day – chasing my dreams on paper.
What
do you advise new writers to do?
Be true to yourself, always.
Write
constantly.
Keep
the faith!!!
And
NEVER, EVER, EVER quit. Most people in this industry would agree that
more than talent or skill or even luck, perseverance is the one trait
that will always get the job done.
Knock
on every door you can, and keep knocking. I promise that eventually
someone will open and the warmth you feel on your face will more than
validate every hour spent alone in the darkness.
Where
is Twelve Months
on sale?
DISCLAIMER: I was not compensated. Opinions are not my own.
Wow, I love it when authors give back and reach out to kids. Thanks for sharing you book with us! I'm adding it to my TBR list.
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