We recently interviewed published author Douglas Misquita
SHORT BIO
Hey, I’m Douglas Misquita and I write action-thrillers. When I’m not writing or thinking up a plot, I’m usually practicing with my guitar, playing with a rock-n-roll band or… working. There’s more about me at http://www.douglasmisquita.com.
Tell us something about your novel – Haunted. Any specific reason for this title? How did this book happen and why did you choose to write about it?
Haunted is a raw, gritty action-thriller designed to give the reader a sense of being in the thick of the action. It’s got everything you would want: explosions, gun-battles, fist-fights, car chases, underwater action, espionage and double-crossing agents and some serious weaponry!
I wanted the title to convey the psychological trauma of one of the protagonists in the book – essentially he is haunted by the demons of his past. Hence the title, which actually makes people think I’ve written a horror story. I get quite a few questions on that, what a silhouette of a man holding a gun has to do with paranormal activity.
The book came about because I love large-scale action movies and always imagined these great action-sequences in my head. I wanted to put them down and turn it into one helluva action book. That, and I’m fascinated by dark transformations: how incidents in people’s lives can push them over the edge and drive them to do things they wouldn’t otherwise have.
When did you take to writing?
I took to writing after reading Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park. I was so fascinated by Crichton’s ability to transport me into the story he was telling that I thought, “Wouldn’t it be something if I could grab people’s imagination and take them on a roller-coaster ride for a few hours in a story of my making.” I began writing shorts in 100-page single-ruled line books and suddenly, one day, it culminated in Haunted.
Where do you usually write? What is your favourite setting to write in?
I write anywhere peaceful because I need to hear myself think. Usually it’s at my computer desk before a large poster of 12 Hollywood film stars taking a lunch break from constructing the Empire State Building. At other times I’ll be doing something when suddenly an idea will strike me, and I’ll just stop what I’m doing, think through that idea and file it away to be used in a story whenever I’m actually writing.
Did this story come to you easily or did you find yourself stuck with a writer’s block sometimes?
Well, I think no story comes easily. There’s always going to be blocks and it happens at anytime or any point in the story. For Haunted the toughest part was to interleave all the plots into a cohesive story: that means the underlying thread was the toughest.
Does this story have anything to do with your personal life? Or is it a story of someone close to you
Nah, nothing to do with my personal life or anyone I know. It’s just my fascinations and imagination on an adrenaline ride.
Tell us about your life online and the sites you maintain
At about the time Haunted was launched, I read this Jeffrey Deaver thriller about a killer who stalks people through social networking sites. I immediately went and upped the privacy on my social page. So I’m very cautious. I maintain a website and blog and a Facebook page. I’m also on Twitter and Goodreads. I personally think, we should be aware and regulate our online life and its impact on our personal life and society.
What are your thoughts on life – The one thing that it takes to live it?
Life is beautiful, our planet is beautiful. One thing that it takes to live: Acceptance. Accept things that come your way and deal with them with grace, courage and confidence.
How has been your experience so far in the literary world? Any highs or lows being a part of this space that you would like to share here?
I think I’m not yet very famous to have major experiences. But it’s a warm feeling to see my book on someone’s book shelf, and also on my book shelf alongside the authors I love reading. The highs are when people appreciate the stories I tell; it makes me feel that all the effort and investment was worth-it. I did feel some ‘lows’ when initially people said, “Oh, this genre is not popular, I don’t know how well it will do.” Let them tell that to me now.
Tell us something about your work & hobbies?
My work is top-secret, classified. Joking J I work as a Project Manager with a mobile messaging solution company. I love music and I play guitar and sing with a rock-n-roll band called Victor and the Crowns. We cover classic rock and roll. For a list of our gigs, visit the News section of my website. I watch movies and read voraciously. Occasionally, I sketch.
So how did it feel when you finally finished writing the book?
I can’t say that in a few sentences, that’s a blog post in itself. I’d direct your readers to: http://douglasmisquita.com/blog/2011/01/22/i-had-a-dream/
Top 3 All-time favourite books
Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton
Total Control – David Baldacci
Temple – Matthew Reilly
awesome interview! keep it coming
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