I am about 50 years old, born and bred in the southeastern United States. My day job is air traffic control, although my real passion extends into gaming and writing (not necessarily in that order). I am married and have two grown daughters, one of whom is married and the other on the verge. I spent about seven years living in the Republic of Panama where I met my wife and the girls were born. I think every American needs to spend at least that long living overseas to expand their horizons and better understand themselves.

2. How long have you been interested in writing?

I began writing at about age 7, so you could say I've been interested in it all my life.

3. What was your first sale? And to which magazine?

My first sale was to an anthology edited by Beecher Smith entitled "Monsters from Memphis" (Zapizdat Press, 1997). The Story was "Inner Enemies", a horror tale.

4. What sort of writer are you-quill and ink, or PC?
A little of both, I think. I still do a lot of longhand writing, especially if the muse strikes me when I am working or away from the computer. Actually, come to think of it, about 60% of my writing is longhand, which I then transfer on to the computer for editing.

5. Who's better, Buffy or Angel?

You got me. I don't understand the question. Cultural problem, or age?

6. What advice would you give to any other aspiring writers?
Keep writing. Never take rejection personally. Don't procrastinate. You've only so much time in your life to accomplish what needs to be done. Share your talent as often and as fully as possible.

7. How do you feel about the move from hard copy books to downloadable
internet stories? Is it really the end of the printed word?

I wrote an article for the Tandra website about that. I think the printed word will always be with us, if for no other reason than it is so much a part of civilization in general. Disregarding the fact that there will always be places where the internet is not available, access is restricted or denied, the printed word still demands respect. "It is written" will always hold a special fascination for us.

8. What author or author's work inspired you to become a writer?
H. P. Lovecraft was a heavy influence on my work, with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
Robert E. Howard, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, and a host of others coming in a very close second.

9. Have you heard of Terry Pratchett?

Yes. Why? Is Pratchett missing?

10. If you had to be a character in Star Wars who would you be?

Whoever gets the honor of offing Jar-Jar Binks.

11. Have you ever been to London, UK?

Unfortunately, no. I am, however, looking forward to going on an Ugly American
Tourist trip to Hadrian's Wall in 2001. I have always wanted to visit England and Scotland.

12. Burger King or MacDonalds? Which is your bag?

I'll take a Whopper with MacFries. I like taking the best of both.

13. Describe your writing process.

First, the muse delivers the inspiration. This could take a minute or a year, depending on her mood. After that comes the easy part. I build an outline of the story to maintain a coherent Direction, then fill in the blanks. This takes from five minutes to three years (whether short story or novel doesn't matter).

14. If you had the choice to work full-time writing trashy romance novels, never having time for your own work, would you compromise and do it?

No. Dame Cartland I ain't.

15. What does the future hold for you (hopefully)?

I am in the final stages of a novel and have several stories and poems under
consideration at websites in the US. I intend to have a new work on the web each
month for the rest of my life (or until I can't write anymore, whichever comes first), and at least one novel per year. With the e-publishing houses operating today, this goal is closer than it ever has been.

David Blalock

Thanks to David for taking the time to answer these questions