Meet David Buzan – An Author!

I first met David Buzan through social media and found out he is also a Black Rose Writing author. He and I write in the same genre, thriller, but the difference is in our approach to it. David has a fantastical aspect in his writing, while I have a coming-of-age theme in my nine books. I think that’s why I enjoy the thriller genre so much. It tends to be broad and can incorporate action and adventure, mystery, horror and suspense.

One thing I did not know about David is that he was trained in screenwriting. I was tempted to grill him on it, because I took a few courses in screenwriting myself. Certainly not as many as David, nor have I attempted to write a script. Both of us, however, use the visual aspect of screenwriting in our books.

Earlier this month, his first book, In The Lair Of Legends, came out earlier this month, and I hope this interview inspires you to pick up a copy. Here is my interview with David Buzan.

What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?

At 51, I’m a very late-to-the-party debut author. I didn’t even begin writing my first book until the end of 2020. Although I had sold short fiction and articles to various magazines throughout high school and college, I pursued screenwriting after graduating from the Vancouver Film School in the mid-90’s. Over the next fifteen years, I ended up with six completed screenplays, three agents, two options, and a plethora of heartache. I simply lost count of how many “sure thing” moments and close-calls that never came to fruition.   

There came a point where I had become so disillusioned with the entire process that I walked away from it almost entirely. In fact, I turned my back on creative writing for over a decade.

However, 2020 was when everything changed for me. It was during the worst wildfire season in Oregon history. The sky had been choked with smoke for days; friends and family members evacuated from their homes. The world was just beginning to deal with the long stretch of Covid-19. Being a manager for an essential business, I was working straight through all of it. While at work one afternoon, I was overwhelmed with sudden emotion. I remember walking outside and staring up at the dark skies. I thought about my writing and was instantly filled with regret. I hadn’t achieved my goals and hadn’t reached my dreams.

Before I walked back inside that day, I had made the unwavering commitment to write again. And so I did.         

As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?

My prose is very cinematic. I developed a unique voice as a screenwriter in terms of how I described action. I think that style has translated well into the pages of books. It keeps the readers engaged, and flipping those pages as quickly as possible.

How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?

I believe the character’s voice will ultimately guide you through these moments. The subconscious constantly pulls various storylines through your mind while you’re writing. Some paths are right; however, most are creative dead-ends. You can feel the voice of your characters ebbing the further you stray from where the story needs to be. I use that as my guide.

What genre do you write, and why?

Thrillers would be the all-encompassing brush that paints all the genres I enjoy writing. I’m partial to straight-up action, though. I grew up reading the Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolen books. Phoenix Force and Able Team were also a fantastic series. Nonstop, hard-hitting, bone-crunching action. It’s certainly something of a lost art these days. There are only a few authors today who truly know how to pull it off.    

Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?

I’m a film score aficionado. I could probably lead a college lecture on spotting music in motion pictures, and the emotional impact of themes and motifs on an audience. It’s the most fascinating art form to study. The very best composers are able to make decisions on where music should and shouldn’t be within a film. Often, the very absence of music is just as powerful as the inclusion of it. Just a huge passion of mine. When I’m writing, this is the music I listen to. It fosters creativity and free association.

If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?

I was in seventh grade when I originally read First Blood. There’s really no other book that had quite that huge of an impact on me throughout my life. David Morrell crafted the ultimate thriller. Fifty years on and its power still hasn’t been equaled. It’s the prose that gets me. Almost like Raymond Chandler in terms of how vivid the imagery is while you read it. It’s my favorite novel of all time.

What authors do you read regularly? Why?

David Morrell, Stephen King, Michael Koryta, and Tana French and are my favorite authors. Not surprisingly, they all write thrillers. (I would argue that King is a thriller author first and foremost.) Each of these writers is gifted with such a unique voice in terms of how the pages unfold.

If you were to have dinner with 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be and why?

Jerry Goldsmith: the greatest film composer ever. I would absolutely would have loved to talk with him about so much of his work, but primarily his three incredible Rambo scores.

Richard Nixon: I’ve been fascinated with Nixon for most of my life. Oh, do I have questions! The man himself was brilliant in so many ways, but allowed self-loathing to blind many of his decisions. I find his life to be as inspiring as it is tragic.

Sylvester Stallone: I just couldn’t imagine my life without Rocky in it. I would love to talk with him about his complete writing process, especially regarding that legendary series.

Bruce Springsteen: His songs defined so much of my life. They still do. So many of his songs are akin to novellas. His characters are vibrant; unforgettable. I would definitely enjoy speaking with him over dinner about how he approaches these stories, and the how’s and why’s behind his songs.

When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?

I’m definitely a writer who enjoys an outline. But for me, everything first begins with research. My projects are typically a labyrinth of historical events, which requires a great deal of research before I can even begin to put pen to paper. Often, the outline can change based upon the research that I’m doing. Ideas can shift so quickly once I begin. Outlines should be flexible.

When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?

I like to read for at least an hour six days a week. Interestingly enough, I read different genres all the time. I enjoy new voices and fresh ideas.

Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)

Screenwriting will always be an opportunity I never reached in terms of my goals. I was really fortunate to have gotten representation and options, but nothing (yet) has been produced. I feel like an Olympic athlete who trained his whole life for something, but missed the mark by mere seconds or inches. It’s disheartening to work so hard at something for so long and come so close, but not achieving the success you had envisioned for yourself.

What tips would you give to new writers?

There’s a great line from Throw Mama from the Train when Billy Crystal tells his creative writing class, “A writer writes.” I think that’s the best advice for anyone embarking on this endeavor. The blank page is so daunting, but you have to have the courage to begin. Often, it’s not the beginning that’s the most difficult, but it’s sustaining that initial burst of creativity that can be the hardest part of the process.  

How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally?

I honestly don’t believe that the creativity behind writing can be taught. The mechanics of it certainly can. It’s like how anyone can get a driver’s license, but only the rare few have the talent to compete in the Indy 500. I’m certainly not equating myself to a world-class athlete (or a world-class writer, for that matter!), but I believe talents are a gift. And it’s our own responsibility to recognize the unique gifts that we have, and to spend a lifetime honing them. When it comes to being a writer, the challenge is to be better than you were yesterday.

How do you handle a negative critique?

They’re certainly crushing experiences. Back in my screenwriting days, I had a big-name producer read one of my screenplays and tell my agent: “Thanks for the toilet paper.” But in that same month, a very successful director, after reading that same script, praised it to the moon. It’s always about perspective.

You have to understand the spirit of the critique. Is it just to be mean spirited? Are there nuggets of truth to be gleaned from the opinion? When my novel was being sent out to beta readers, 95% of the critical feedback centered on the title. I was so stubborn about changing it! But I ultimately relented, and the book is better because of it.  

Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?

I would absolutely love to write a mystery, but I find the mechanics of the plotting to be quite beyond my reach. I truly admire those authors who can write them.

How important is character to a story, and why?

I believe character is the most important component of any story. The protagonist is your guide through the myriad of trails that lead throughout the book. No matter what the genre might be, the character is whom you are following.

Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?

I write in the action/adventure field. While I never could imagine myself in any of those high-stakes situations, I definitely try to find relatability in motivation.

In the case of In The Lair Of Legends and Jolon Winterhawk, he is constantly finding himself faced with moral dilemmas. And throughout those moments, it was thoughts of his family that kept him always doing the right thing. I can relate to that.  

Is there an unforgettable or memorable character that will not leave your head, either of your own creation or from a book you’ve read?

I first read Anne Tyler’s The Accidental Tourist back in 1986. I was in eighth grade. And I’ll tell you, the character of Muriel Pritchett has never left my memory. She’s an incredible literary creation.

Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept?

In The Lair Of Legends stemmed from a 2020 newspaper article centered on the plight of the Nez Perce Tribe and their rightful reclamation of ancestral land in Oregon. A single line from that article mentioned that nearly a quarter-million Native Americans had served in the military during the Civil War. These heroes never received the recognition they deserved, so it was something I wanted to explore. Concurrently, I had also recently had a vivid nightmare where I was hiking and found myself chased by a frighteningly ravenous Sasquatch. Those two ideas melded together and ultimately became the foundation of my novel.    

How did you come up with the title?

In The Lair Of Legends is a bit of dialogue spoken in the last part of the book. It is used to metaphorically describe the cavern that each of us walk through life. I thought it invoked a classic adventure feel, which is why I chose it.

From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?

Jolon Winterhawk is my favorite character in my novel. He’s brave and heroic, charismatic and honorable. I enjoy his sense of humor, too.

My least favorite character is Captain Isbell. He was a man who faced great personal loss and suffering, and chose to direct those feelings against those in society who are helpless and innocent.

I hope you enjoyed my interview with David as much as I did. You can connect with David on social media by going to his website at www.davidbuzan.com because it includes links to all of his social media accounts. I hope you check out his book In The Lair of Legends on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Lair-Legends-David-Buzan-ebook/dp/B0C8BMMRV3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F84J8I1WOPI2&keywords=in+the+lair+of+legends+david+buzan&qid=1693157651&sprefix=In+the+lair+of%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1

or Barnes & Noble at: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-lair-of-legends-david-buzan/1143607078?ean=9781685132507