Hey, Charlie! Thanks for having me over.
What’s your name, and where are you from?
It depends on who you ask. Most
know me as David Powers King, but some have called me P. King Duck or
Earthquake (don't ask), and I am a product of Southern California, now living
in Utah. Like Bilbo Baggins, I like mountains.
How long have you been writing?
Almost 15 years now. I started
writing seriously at age 15, so that pretty much gives my age away…
What genre(s) do you write?
I write MG/YA/Adult science
fiction and fantasy. Right now, I'm in YA fantasy mode, seeking
representation/deal for my 7th novel.
What’s your current WIP? Can you tell us about it?
It's called The
Dragon's Heart, a rewrite of my first stab at fantasy (after my
wife challenged me to write something she would enjoy). I wrote it
three years ago, a blending of Grimm's Beauty and the Beast and Rumpelstiltskin.
It's about a princess with an unusual curse which causes her to black out and
do terrible things to her suitors, just when she falls in love with
them. With the help of a dragon, she searches for an ancient relic
that can absorb magic from whoever possesses it. This is great for her, but
fatal for the dragon - and a cursed prince who is trapped within.
What’s your current day job? How does it help or hinder your
writing?
- (This is totally going to
give away my secret identity) I'm a psychometrist (psychological test
administrator). It keeps me busy, but the multiple opportunities to
meet with and help evaluate clients and their problems is not only great for
helping me step out my comfort zone (I'm not exactly sure where that is
anymore), but for understanding the wide range of the human experience - an asset
to excellent character development.
Who is your favorite author/favorite book?
So many great ones to choose
from, so I'll go with the author who has influenced me the most and inspired me
to start writing—Orson Scott Card and his novel, Ender's Game.
What other hobbies or activities do you do outside of
writing?
Aside from writing, I'm a LEGO
collector, a FPS gaming addict (you won't like me if we play Halo), a reader of
books and a film connoisseur (Hollywood culture has a way of ingraining itself
in you when you're raised near LA), with a strong background and knowledge base
for animation. I'm also a jungle gym for my two kids and a cheesy romantic to
my forever girl.
What is something unique about yourself?
I can whistle film scores
without pausing for breath (inhale whistling - very fun), I use jellybeans as a
"dangling carrot" to help me get through my blocks, and I can make
you the meanest homemade pizza that may put
your favorite franchise to shame (subjectively, of
course).
Do you have a blog, Twitter, and/or Web site we can link to?
I have both! You can find my
blog at davidpowersking.blogspot.com and my Twitter
handle is @davidpowersking. Stop by any time. I post about story devices
(tropes) and general writing advice each week—along with query critique offers
and other random awesomeness.
If you're willing to be interviewed for Someday Stars, please email me at CNHolmberg (at) gmail.com.
Great interview. I love Card, too. His Ender's Game and the Bean series are phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteEarthquake? Bahaha! Why am I all of a sudden hearing AC/DC's Thunderstruck jammin' in my ears?
ReplyDeleteDavid, Halo? We gotta deathmatch!!! We'll hate each other after we do! Trust me :) Hehehe
If I had time, I'd get in on that deathmatch between you and Jack. I might need to practice up a bit.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview.
Great interview! I read David's blog regularly. You've got a cool one yourself:)
ReplyDeleteI really want to read your novel. Those are two of my favorite fairy tales. And I love dragons. I'm excited for it to be published one day!
ReplyDeleteVery fun interview guys! David, love the storyline to your Dragon's heart! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi, David! Great interview! And nice to meet you, Charlie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Charlie. It was very interesting to learn more about David... Earthquake, lol.
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the more entertaining interviews I've read. Your WIP sounds really cool. I like the idea of blacking out and doing horrible things to her suitors, and I like that that's the novel you wrote for your wife to enjoy. Hmmm....
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of your book. :)
Charlie, I love that title: Someday Stars.
ReplyDeleteDavid, we all know you're a star already. :)
Psychometrist is a really cool job title.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview. Loved learning more about you David and your new project sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you David! I like the sound of your work in progress.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever see David at a conference I am going to have him whistle the Star Wars theme. ;0) Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, you two!
ReplyDeleteForget the Halo match-- I'll join you in a inhale whistling match!