Interview with Dan Hayashi

Published 2015-03-01.
What inspired you to begin writing children's books?
I know our children represent the world's future. They symbolize the core of spirit & promise. Therefore, we not only need to set a wonderful example for them to follow, but must take care to inspire from within them, the best they can bring to the surface.
What do you read for pleasure?
Spiritual materials and true life stories.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
A tablet and/or kindle fire
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Word of mouth and handing out promotional materials.
Describe your desk
Somewhat chaotic.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
North Hollywood, California. As a young preteen I spent my spare time drawing and illustrating people, animals and cars. I fell in love with old black & white romance movies from the 40's & 50's. As a youth, I read love poems and I carried my faith in true love well into my adult years. I found it in my soul mate & only wife - Sue. I felt that this faith in general ideals became the foundation of my spiritual convictions. From personal experience, I believe that all children can be similarly inspired to bring forth their own form of rock solid spirituality from deep within themselves. I also wholeheartedly believe, that naivete and innocence are the virtuous by-products of our inborn, inner spiritual power, which we all need reclaiming or maintaining for a beautiful world to prevail.
What's the story behind your latest book?
An orphaned otter named Otto befriends a tiny hedgehog named Sunna. Together they go on an unsanctioned adventure to the city, which gets them into trouble, yet teaches them to consider others' feelings. However, Sunna's godfather, Mr. Sun keeps a careful eye on them, while his premonitions bring them to safety. It is a story of believing in something greater than oneself, while persevering despite apparent obstacles.
When did you first start writing?
In high school I was inspired by my creative writing teacher. She always told me to express my innermost ideas to paper.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
It has enabled me to produce books electronically which would otherwise be difficult and more time consuming to publish in paper. Although from what I have read, hard copies are still preferred 80% of the time. The predictions are that this will change dramatically in favor of ebooks over paper books in the very near future. We shall see.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Expressing the ideas & thoughts I have always had throughout my life, by a combination of story telling combined with illustrating those ideas and images.
What do your fans mean to you?
With writing, an audience is everything. It is more important for your readers to enjoy the subject matter and go away with a feeling of emotional, sentimental & mental enrichment. I hope to thoughtfully inspire, in children and the young, a sense of unlimited imagination. That all successes begin with dreams, which must be set into goals, we then pursue with perseverance. Fans are simply the side benefit of one's successes in story telling. If I can do any of these things, then God has blessed my pen.
What are you working on next?
A animal story about a unusually small giraffe, born on a tropical island. She overcomes adversity & personal slighting to become a friendly giant and a guiding light for all who know her.
Who are your favorite authors?
My tastes are broad. I love some old English classics. But do not have a limited list of favorites.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Life's innocence and all of its beauty. Seeing children's innocence at play & nature's indescribable beauty unfold. All the while, knowing it gets lost, if we mature - falsely thinking as adults, that we are negotiating peaceful coexistence with others, when we subvert it with stipulative conditions to prove that mistrust of those we claim we desire to share peace. We have created a world of endless laws to guarantee that our word is kept & our intentions are written in stone, whether we truly mean it or not. It is not laws or lip service which has run amok, but our thoughts. Therefore, I submit, our thoughts are everything. Thoughts are the birthplace of how our tomorrow's shall take shape collectively. The ideal of love, innocence & universal acceptance is the only pathway to heavenly coexistence. Call me naive, but the need of brotherly love & universal acceptance has never changed since time immemorial. It's the Golden Rule. Every great teacher & wise man, past or present, has supported this position.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I photograph, paint or illustrate as pastimes.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I mostly read hardcopy books. Rarely do I read electronically, although I do own & use an electronic tablet. I mostly use the tablet to see how successfully I have laid out my children's stories and how clearly my characters and art come across when viewing them on an electronic screen. The tactility of paper books is more ingratiating and pleasurable to my sensibilities, as a story takes me away to some far away place & I thumb through those pages. I would rather hold my wife's hand or embrace my son & daughter, than look at electronic pictures of doing those things.
What is your writing process?
I always carry a notepad. When I get ideas, I scribble them down. Sometimes I sketch a character, draw a scene or write down a storyline. Those ideas usually become new stories when I address them later.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
First novel was The Scarlet Letter, which rattled my mind with its religious condemnation, persecution and judgements. Then Catcher In The Rye, startled me with it's rawness & struck me so indelibly with its narrative power. I looked for characters like Holden in college & found his characteristics, here & there, scattered over multiple personalities I then knew & experienced.
How do you approach cover design?
I always want to depict personalities with child-like naivete. The straight forwardness of their expressions should be insights into the book's possible content.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
My desire to reach young, pliable minds through the ageless eyes of dreamlands and fantasy. These are the glorious virtues in life's simplicity, which unfortunately, only some of us rebirth as aging adults and/or grandparents.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Josephine the Wallaby
Series: Animal Clan Series, Book 11. Price: $2.95 USD. Words: 3,140. Language: English. Published: February 28, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories, Poetry » Spiritual
A tale of compassion by Josey the wallaby. Though small she's forced to keep up with large kangaroos. Despite size she emerges a savior helping those in need. Immense speed makes her a “tomboy,” yet is handy when helping fellows combat the effects of Global warming. Hotter climates deadened seas, causing phytoplankton to diminish, as other sea creatures suffer. Josey succeeds to change things.
The Red Circus Tent of Dreams
Series: Animal Clan Series, Book 10. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 2,540. Language: English. Published: December 10, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Religious / Christian / Bedtime & Dreams, Fiction » Children’s books » Imagination & Play
This is a warm children's fantasy about the fanciful world of dreams. Dreaming & imagination are the theater of this play. In it, these kids fancifully share the same dream in a red circus tent, where affection & love are a hidden force driving & compelling their imagination's great power. These young energies evoke all possibility, especially when their hearts feel supported.
Briana the Basset Hound Fair
Series: Animal Clan Series, Book 9. Price: $3.50 USD. Words: 2,510. Language: English. Published: August 14, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Baby animals
Briana the Basset Hound is a tale about an abandoned puppy. She is saved from under a bridge & a life of scavenging by a young boy. Through this bond, the lonesome boy uncovers a puppy's unconditional love & companionship. His spirit & heart are magnified in awe and compassion. It is a story of how pets bring children joy while teaching us the wonders of responsibility, devotion and kinship
The Legend Of Sky, Animal Clan Series - Volume 8
Series: Animal Clan Series, Book 8. Price: $3.50 USD. Words: 1,720. Language: English. Published: August 6, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Baby animals
The Legend Of Sky is a tale about a blue jay who escapes being seen. As blue as the heavens he is therefore elusive to trappers and hunters. His presence is only known moments after he’s passed by. Unseen, Sky knocks human objects over showing them he's come & gone. He creates a way to cloak his friends like himself. This story is about his shenanigans to save and protect his animal friends.
Crocky Dial Dooby - The Tale Of Dragodiles & Crocagons
Series: Animal Clan Series, Book 5. Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 2,920. Language: English. Published: October 1, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
A sweet, rhyming tale of how the convictions of a good baby dragon prevail over prejudice. How his similarities with his adopted crocodile family and fellow crocks, are eventually seen as attributes rather than differences. Because of his innocence & parental upbringing, he personifies love incarnated. Eventually he wins over the two opposing clans of crocodiles and neighboring dragons.
Otto Otter, Sunna Hedgehog & The Premonitions Of Mr. Sun
Series: Animal Clan Series, Book 3. Price: $2.25 USD. Words: 3,810. Language: English. Published: December 10, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Mammals, Fiction » Inspirational
A fairy tale of two naive little animals, who grow up quickly after mistakenly going to the city without approval. Otto Otter & Sunna Hedgehog learn they are alone & without means. Injuries could hamper their return home, except for the guidance of Mr. Sun. A misguided outing turns into an inspirational experience. Sunna's Godfather, Mister Sun, gives them life counseling.