Interview with David Donaghe

Published 2020-12-07.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Southern California and some of what I write is about that location, but I also write about other places I have been and as I go to new places I incorporate them into my writing.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I have had some books published by traditional publishers, but I got tired of them having all the control and I got tired of waiting, plus some of what the small time publishes do to promote your work, you can do yourself.
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book is the Battle for Planet Earth. It is the third book in the Space Corps Chronicles. It is the tale of revolution planet wide. The rebels are fighting the forces of the Council of Economic Unions which rules the entire planet. They have help from their brothers on Mars and Europa,. While they are fighting for their freedom on Earth, a new threat from beyond our solar system looms on the horizon.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing short stories when I was in grade school, but I quit for a while, but I have always loved to read. One day I was reading a western novel and the book was so bad that I couldn't finish it. I told myself, I could do better than that, so I started writing again. I think that to be a good writer you must love to read.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has greatly contributed to my success. If not for their distribution service, my books wouldn't be in nearly half of the markets that they are.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Creating an entire new world filled people and things. Sometimes the characters and setting in a book can seem so real, that they almost are. Thinking about this gave me the idea for one of my first novels, Tale Spinner, the story of a timid New York accountant who gets teleported into the world of the Western novel he is reading. The book is an exciting ride that crosses genres.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans mean the world to me and they can contact me any time at dhdonaghe@eartlink.net If not for my fans, who would read my words?
Who are your favorite authors?
John Locke and a bunch of other Indie authors. If you tell a good tale, I will read it.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My dog.
What are you working on next?
I have two books that are on pre sale right now, Blood Bond and Door Number two which is book three and four of the Mike McDonald Action Adventure Saga. I am also working on the first draft of Galactic War which is the forth book in my Space Corps Chronicles series. Next I will start on Mendoza's Revenge which will be book five in the Mike McDonald Action Adventure Saga.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I am not writing or working, I enjoy spending my time with my family, and that includes my extended family, The American Cruisers motorcycle club. There is nothing like rolling down the highway with my brothers and sisters with my face in the wind. It brings me peace and it is when I get most of the ideas for my short stories and novels. I also enjoy practicing Martial Arts.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Through email list and from recommendations from friends on social networking sites and browsing on my ereader.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
The first story I wrote that I tried to have someone publish was called, Some Call it Madness. It was a story about a young man who saw monsters. It didn't do too well but I enjoyed writing it.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I have been a constant reader since I was old enough to hold a book. I guess the earliest story I ever read that had an impact on me was, To Build a Fire by Jack London. I was young at the time and the thought of going off into the wilds of Alaska and trying to survive excited me.
How do you approach cover design?
Right now, I find a picture I like, but the rights and make my own covers.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I had to upgrade from a first generation Kindle to a Kindle Fire and I love it. It can do so much more.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Using Face Book Twitter and giving away some of my books for free.
Describe your desk
My desk in its former life was an old sowing machine table. It is small and cluttered with my computer, monitor and printer all crammed into a small space, but I make it work. My desk is cluttered.
What is your writing process?
I write in the morning and the evening. Half the time I spend on a first draft project and the other half of the time I spend editing. I should put after my name as the author of my work, "and Basco." Basco is my seven month old Boxer mix puppy. When I am writing I either have to take frequent breaks to play catch, or stop stop when he thinks that I am not paying enough attention to him. He jumps up and put his paws on my lap and wants to play. Then there are the times when I leave him in my room when I go into the kitchen to get a drink and he decides to edit my work. He will jump up and put his paws on the keyboard. I have found, "ZZZZZZZZZZ" across the page after I came back to the room. Maybe he's trying to tell me something? Basco came into our lives at a bad time. We had just lost our dog "Trouble" which we had had for thirteen years. Everyone in my house was sad, including our other dog "Athenia," who we have had for about nine years. Athenia, was depressed, getting sick and wouldn't eat, but then Basco came, wormed his way into our hearts healed the wound that was still leaking and made us whole again.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
1. The Stand by Stephen King-because I like its message. I think you must make your stand against evil every day.
2. Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain- I think there is a small boy in every man who would love to have lived Tom's life.
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain- for the same reason.
4.The Shack by William P Young- for its message.
5. Unintended Consequences by John Ross, because the book is one of the most informative books you can read when it comes to our 2nd amendment rights. If you don't understand the US gun laws and why things are the way they are now, then read this book.
What do you read for pleasure?
Anything and everything..
How do you define success as a writer?
If you have published books out there and people are reading your words, then I consider that success. To me it's not about making a lot of money. It's about reaching people and touching their lives by telling a good tale, but of course I would like to be more successful and take my books to the next level so I can reach more readers.
What are your plans and your goals?
My goals are to reach more readers. My plan is to read, write and repeat. To put words on the page for people to read.
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Books by This Author

Door Number Two
Series: The Mike McDonald Action Adventure Saga. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 136,120. Language: English. Published: January 30, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Action/Adventure, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
When Bill Caldwell comes home from work early and catches his wife having sex with his best friend, Bill sells his used car lot, buys a Motorcycle and heads east. In Jacksonville Florida, after three of his detectives are murdered Mike McDonald goes to war with a Cuban drug cartel. Bill Caldwell and Mike McDonald meet at Dayton Bike Week and Bill joins his fight against a Cuban drug cartel.
Blood Bond
Series: The Mike McDonald Action Adventure Saga. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 118,020. Language: English. Published: January 23, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » Men’s adventure, Fiction » Erotica » Action/Adventure
When Mike McDonald left Nebraska he thought that he had left the blood and violence behind. His intent was to ride to New York City to visit his brother and enjoy some peace and quiet, but he arrives in the city only to find his brother, Johnny in the hospital and in a coma after someone placed a bomb under his car. Once again Mike goes to war with a group of Irish Thugs and the Italian mob.
The Cave Man Action Adventure Box Set
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 40,440. Language: English. Published: May 23, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » Action
Follow the adventures of Cave Man and his bros in the Road Dogs MC from the zombie outbreak in 1968, to Biker Heaven and to the Lost Highway
The Battle for Earth
Series: The Space Corps Chronicles. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 113,630. Language: English. Published: May 9, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi
In the twenty-fourth century, Earth is divided into Economic Unions. Personal freedom is a thing of the past. The Council of Economic Unions rules the planet. Eddie Falcon leader of the People's Fist launches worldwide protests, which lead to all-out war across the planet. With the help of their friends from Mars and Europa, they struggle to win their final battle, the Battle for Earth.
In the Wind
Series: The Mike McDonald Action Adventure Saga. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 93,330. Language: English. Published: April 25, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Paranormal, Fiction » Erotica » Men's Erotica
Mike McDonald leaves Green River Wyoming heading east to start a new life. In Nebraska, Mike meets Chris Chandler, a widowed rancher who has her back against the wall. A local real estate developer is trying to steal her ranch. Mike and The Green River Boys, a friendly motorcycle club go to war fighting New York gangsters. They will either get her cattle to market, or die on the road to Texas.
Thunder Road
Series: The Mike McDonald Action Adventure Saga. Price: Free! Words: 109,860. Language: English. Published: April 11, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Paranormal, Fiction » Adventure » Men’s adventure
(5.00 from 1 review)
Mike McDonald,a Persian Gulf War vet, awakes from a coma and can't even remember his own name. His friend and pastor, informs him that while on vacation an out law bike club known as The Lost Souls rape and kill his wife Sharon and leave him for dead. Mike recovers, and goes to war with The Lost Souls. The final battle takes place at a lonely hunting lodge in the woods, at the end of Thunder Road.
The Battle for Mars
Series: The Space Corps Chronicles, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 85,190. Language: English. Published: July 6, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi
(5.00 from 1 review)
When the miners on Mars form a trade union and call a planet-wide strike, the Council of Economic Unions on Earth orders the federal forces on Mars to take a firm hand, but when the federal Marines execute the union leadership lives on the vid stream, Eddie Falcon, leader of the so-called terrorist organization known as The People's Fist calls for all-out war on Mars.
The Battle for Europa
Series: The Space Corps Chronicles, Book 1. Price: Free! Words: 109,030. Language: English. Published: March 2, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi
(3.00 from 1 review)
The Battle for Europa is a tale of revolution in the twenty fourth Century. Earth and colonies in the solar system are ruled by The Council of Economic Unions on Earth. The council rules with an iron fist. When Shawn Gallagher, an ice miner on Europa launches a miner's strike, it is a ruse for rebellion. The ice on the surface of Europa will turn red with blood in The Battle for Europa.