Author Interview - Dan Bar Hava

What is your writing process like?

I wait until inspiration strikes for the most part, Sometimes, when I am facing a particularly challenging section, I run it in my head over and over and over again, until I can almost recite it from memory, and then I sit down. There is almost no middle ground between those two extremes.

How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?

Sometimes dreams, There is a movie script I co-wrote based entirely on a dream I had. Other times I think of things that exist in the world but that no one took them and ran with them. Such is the myth about the 36 righteous souls that protect the universe, upon which my book series is based. I then take cues from my personal list of writing gods - Frank Herbert, Umberto Echo and others, and - go to work!

What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?

Pretty much nothing, i either write or I don't write, when I write, I am basically in constant intellectual and emotional pain until I finish a full draft, no blocks.

How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?

I learn from them. people pointed out that book I in the 36 watchers series was a bit cryptic and abrupt in spots. I think i fixed it.

What is the most challenging part of your writing process?

Dialog , dialog, dialog, dialog and once again dialog. has to flow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How long have you been writing, or when did you start?

decades, but i was not very good 20 something years ago, my characters were not developed, nor did I care about developing them, I was all about the story, rookie mistake of the first degree. readers seem to respond to Jenna, the protagonist of the 36 watchers series, it makes me happy!

What advice would you give writers working on their first book?

Lots of dialog, know how your story ends and work towards it.

How do you develop your plot and characters?

I create storylines, one plot point seem to lead to the next one. I find myself wanting to be in that world and i write that world that way.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

I have written 4 books and 3 screen plays (screenplays with other writers). The most recent one, the 36 watchers book II, spring, with the publication date set by my publisher in November this year is my favorite. I really feel I took my lead character Jenna, on a journey worthy of reading about.

What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?

The scenes that were dialog heavy. You want the dialog to flow, but also to be concise and informative and move the story along, with pauses for atmosphere, to weave it all together is challenging. To make each of these scenes work is challenging, to not sound like you are repeating the some tricks is challenging.

What inspired the idea for your book?

A perfect summer night in Tel Aviv , Israel, in a balcony, 12 stories high, overlooking the Mediterranean .

What was your hardest scene to write, and why?

The dialog between Jenna and her secret service handler in Israel, for the reasons I stated above.

What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?

SNACKS!!!

If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?

Roger Zelazny, if he was still with us.

When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?

Like last week, found the NY times article that mentioned my name when i was going to school for jazz piano at the Manhattan school of music.

Dan Bar Hava

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