I wait for an idea for a story to pop. I imagine a potential plot arc. I begin writing once I picture a great opening scene. Then I rely on intuition to get through to the end, which I hope will surface along the way.
Arthur M. Doweyko – 8 September 2016
The Back Flap
Applegate Bogdanski returns from Vietnam with a missing leg, a Purple Heart, and an addiction to morphine. He stumbles through each day, looking forward to nothing and hoping it will arrive soon. When he attempts to thwart a crime, he is knocked unconscious and wakes up to discover that people are once again calling him a hero, though he feels undeserving of the praise.
Apple returns to work and meets Angela, a mysterious woman who claims to be his guardian. Immediately, he feels a connection to her, which morphs into an attraction. But he soon discovers that Angela is much more than she seems.
Apple and Angela are swept up in a conspiracy that stretches through time and space. Together, they must fight to save everything they hold dear from an alien race bent on destroying humanity.
About the book
What is the book about?
It’s about redemption and belief. A Vietnam veteran Applegate Bogdanski, who lost a part of his leg, comes home to a life of dejection and drugs. He has no future and expects less when Angela walks into his life, claiming to be his guardian angel. They uncover a conspiracy that immediately threatens them both. The two are caught up in survival while solving the mystery, and along the way Apple reclaims his life, falls in love, and saves humankind.
When did you start writing the book?
The book was based on a short story written in 2011 (published as Guardian Angel in the Christmas Angels Anhtology, ed. Jean M. Goldstrom). The first draft of the novel was completed in 2013.
How long did it take you to write it?
One year…however, considering subsequent edits and rewrites … more like 2.5 years.
Where did you get the idea from?
I love “what ifs”, something that science fiction thrives on. So, what if the stuff in biblical accounts of creation were kind of true? … like how long human beings actually existed on Earth. So I came up with a semi-plausible theory as to how that might have happened.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I generally don’t outline, so I worried about the ending. Luckily, my subconscious came through and surprised me with a decent plot.
What came easily?
The characters sprung to mind rather automatically. I especially enjoyed the ones from Tibet.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The characters are entirely fictitious, although loosely based on Vietnam vets I’ve known. I lived through the Vietnam War era, and I know how badly the returning soldiers were treated.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
As Wings Unfurl is a soft science fiction tale. I actually like hard science fiction the most, and several authors leap to mind. Arthur C. Clarke, Heinlein, and Asimov are probably the strongest influence on me, particularly since, like Asimov, I too am a scientist. Hard SF brings a reader into the story with very believable concepts which help the suspension of disbelief.
Do you have a target reader?
The target audience is anyone with a creative mind, willing to experience a world where things are not quite the same.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I wait for an idea for a story to pop. I imagine a potential plot arc. I begin writing once I picture a great opening scene. Then I rely on intuition to get through to the end, which I hope will surface along the way.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
The only times I have ever outlined have been when stuck. This happens once in a while, especially when I have multiple character arcs entangled with each other. That’s typically a moment that requires some logical thinking, so an outline is really important to work out a way through.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I tend to lightly edit the writing from the day before in order to clean up the prose and catch up with the action before setting off to the next scene.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Editing is super important. As Wings Unfurl was edited by the staff at Red Adept Publishing. The experience was an eye-opener, as the manuscript went through several waves of editing including plot points, line and proofreading.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
In theory, music could work, and does for many…however, for me it’s a complete distraction. That might be because I play the piano and get caught up in the details of the music.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I had a NY agent when I started this work, but she failed to find a suitable home for the novel. Not all agents are created equally. I think that if you can get an agent to represent your work that would be the best way to get published by one of the big 5 or 6 houses. Times are changing, and small publishing houses seem to offer just about the same opportunities to writers as the big ones (caveat: small houses usually lack significant money for marketing and book placement).
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Red Adept Publishing may lack the oomph of a big publishing house, but their editing prowess leads to very well-written books, which in the end, is what counts the most.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Although I am an artist (painting and sketching), I prefer to go with a professional book cover service, as they have experience in presenting just the right graphic to capture the spirit of a novel.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Red Adept has furnished me with some social media tools to help spread the word. The best advice here is to get as many reviews for the book as possible, since this is one factor which has been demonstrated to correlate with sales.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Get your manuscript edited so that you present your best face to an agent or publisher. First impressions are lasting.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was born in a military camp in Aldershot, England, and spent my toddler years in London. I grew up in New Jersey.
Where do you live now?
Florida…the land of liquid sunshine.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am a scientist and artist, who finally has the time to write. An overall theme to my writing could be said to be the why and how of it all. Those are awesome questions which we tend to ignore throughout most of our lives. My blog captures a few observations that readers may find of interest: www.ArthurMDoweyko.com/blog
What are you working on now?
I am finishing up the editing for Henry The Last. This manuscript has already been awarded 5-stars by Readers Favorite and is currently a Finalist in the 2016 Royal Palm Literary Award competition. It’s about a Lakota Native American who is the last human left on Earth. For more info see www.ArthurMDoweyko.com/novels.
My first two books appear in one novel (Algorithm) as Part 1 (The Medallion) and Part 2 (The Makers). The story began with the discovery of a gold medallion in a lump of coal and ends with a trip to the planet of our creators. I am currently considering a Part 3 (The Return) which will describe the return trip to Earth 20,000 years later.
End of Interview:
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