Here is an author who did voice over work, had a minor role in a movie, and is a children’s author. While he stated that he admires anyone who writes a novel length book, I admire anyone writing a children’s book. There has to be painstaking effort to create a story that will captivate a child’s imagination, and frankly, I know I’m not cut out for it.
Besides being a Black Rose Writing author like me and some of the other authors I have interviewed, he and I share one other characteristic: our fondness for the group, Journey, and for Steve Perry’s vocals.
What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?
I hadn’t ever planned to be an author. I was a single father raising two young daughters by myself. My daughters were the inspirations that led to me to writing books. Before them, I was interested in writing songs, poetry, and screenplays. Then one day, my oldest daughter came to me and told me she was tired of reading the same stories over and over. I told her that if she wanted to read new stories, we would have to write them ourselves. Her eyes got so big and she responded, “Can we?” It was then that I began this journey, one that would help strengthen a bond between my girls and me, rewarding me in ways I could never have imagined.
As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?
I hesitate to toot my own horn at times, because I am really humbled by the success I have found in being a published author. I guess I would say that all of my stories are original and fun. I try to stay away from any controversial subjects, and focus more on the importance of family and friendship. I also write all my stories in verse. Rhyming has always been the way I naturally think, and it has been fun to let some of my stories go in directions led by the words, and become something I hadn’t expected.
How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?
Many of my story ideas come about at the most inopportune times. I’ve never been able to plan time to sit and write. Instead, inspiration will usually hit me when I’m busy at work, driving on the highway, or at 2:30 in the morning, waking me from a sound sleep. It isn’t always an idea that comes to mind, just a voice telling me I need to sit down and listen. I never know what I am going to write out, or how long I’m going to be there, but as inconvenient as it has been at times, it has served me well. I haven’t been disappointed.
What genre do you write, and why?
Children’s books are the only genre I write now, and that’s because of my two daughters and our love of new stories. There was a time I wanted to write a novel, but I quickly learned that I didn’t have the focus or patience to create a lengthy story, with many moving parts and characters. I was more comfortable developing a character quickly, and keeping the adventures to roughly thirty-two pages.
Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?
This would best fit me using the phrase, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” Some people know a lot about a few specific things, while I see myself as knowing a little about many things. I’ve written a couple of screenplays, recorded some songs where I sing and play the keyboard, met a couple of big name actors and had an opportunity to be cast as an extra in a couple of movies. I also did some voice over work for a movie as well, but none of those talents can compare with being able to successfully raise my daughters, who have become a teacher and a nurse, and who are living their best lives, blessing me with three grandchildren to date. Perhaps a lone exception that only I may think of as a talent is my ability to say the alphabet backwards in less than five seconds. I keep meaning to contact Ripley’s Believe It Or Not about that.
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?
One of the strange things about seeing myself develop as an author is that I was never an avid reader in the past. I didn’t enjoy reading much, and I struggled to get through the required reading in school. But I remember that Dr. Seuss and his book, “Green Eggs and Ham,” was the first book I learned to read independently.
What authors do you read regularly? Why?
I have begun picking up other children’s books by other authors. I enjoy seeing what others are doing and when I see one that appears to be very successful, I try to find out how they got there, and what I can do better.
If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?
My answers to this question are mostly based on my admiration of what they accomplished in their careers.
- Michael Jordan, whom I thought did things that defied gravity and reality.
- Albert Einstein, who worked on ideas that I don’t think I could ever grasp.
- Kirstie Alley and John Cusack, who were my favorite actors while I was growing up in the 80s.
- Steve Perry, the former lead singer of Journey, because it was his songs and voice that inspired me to write. Journey songs are also the centerpiece of many childhood memories.
- And I’m going to add a sixth person here. My dad, who passed away in October 2015. What I wouldn’t give to have one more dinner with him.
What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead or are you a “pantser”?
As I mentioned above, I never plan a time to sit and write. It just comes to me. I am definitely a “pantser”, as I allow the rhyme to direct the flow of the story. I was told some years ago I shouldn’t write in rhyme, because I would limit the ways my stories can go. However, I have found that some of my stories ended up going in ways I could never have imagined, and became better stories than I ever expected.
When writing, how much do you read? Do you read in or out of your genre?
My overall reading is very low. I spend most of my reading time at local schools and festivals, sharing my stories with kids who are really struggling to keep up. I feel like I have a mission in life to help improve the childhood literacy rate, which seems to have declined in the past few years. I believe I have a gift to share, and so I try to do so with as many as I can, improving children’s literacy, one page at a time.
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?)
The first thing that comes to mind with this question is the art of investing. I often tell people I feel like I can do anything in life, except make money. I have an amazing track record of buying high and selling low, betting on the wrong team or horse, and picking the exact wrong lottery numbers. I’ve gotten really good at these.
What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?
So another thing I try to do often is visit high schools, middle schools, and have been invited as a guest speaker to teacher’s conventions, where I don’t read my books but I talk to them about being a writer, and my journey in becoming an author. A couple of things I always stress is;
- Don’t become a writer for the love of money. Write for the love of writing.
- Never throw away what you have written. Keep it, store it, and revisit it later. You may one day wish to see what you wrote about in the past, and it may reignite an idea in the future.
- And remember, it may only take forever to become an overnight success.
How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?
The evolution of writing for me came naturally. Songs were always front and center in connecting my life’s events and emotions. Rhyming and stanzas were formidable, and I would always listen to the cadence to see if I could change it or make it better. It flowed easier for me. I tell others to write the way that feels natural, comfortable.
How do you handle a negative critique?
Thankfully, I haven’t had that many, but they happen from time to time. A wise man once told me to just say, “Thank you!” and move on.
Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?
I don’t know if a genre would be difficult, but a novel in any genre for me would be. I have such a respect for someone who can write a novel. To keep a reader’s attention over a long period of time, with such description, action and energy, is beyond my capacity.
How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?
I have an added challenge being a children’s book author. I have to grab a reader’s attention almost immediately, and develop the story line quickly. I have only a few pages to draw you in, connect with you, and take you on a journey. For my stories to be memorable, I need these elements to be strong right away.
Do you see yourself in any of the characters you create? How/Why?
My characters are not attached to me as far as being someone I am or was in my childhood. However, some events and adventures originated from memories I had as a child. There are certain aspects, such as morals and family values, that show up during my stories. I see those in myself.
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?
The most obvious for me would be Santa Claus from my award winning first book, Santa’s Zany, Wacky, Just not Right, Night Before Christmas. (Yes, that is the whole title). Santa was always larger than life for me when I was young. That I had a chance to use Santa in one of my stories and send him on the adventure that I did is very rewarding for me. I love to see the looks on kids’ faces when they read my book. It’s the innocence in action as they care about and connect with Santa through a story told by me. It’s almost surreal.
Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept? How did you come up with the title? From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character?
My next book, titled The Playground Hop, is based on the time when I had my daughters, and we were developing a routine that was fun and enjoyable. The neighborhood where we lived had a small, basic playground. It wasn’t long before I saw my girls lose interest in going outside to play there. One day I told them to get in the car, and we started driving around into neighborhoods that we had never been to before in search of new playgrounds to play on. It quickly became standard that we head out several days a week in search of new adventures, with new friends, doing The Playground Hop. Of course, my favorite characters are my daughters. I’m excited to portray them in one of my stories. Illustrations are about to start, and I’m hoping I get a likeness to them they can cherish forever.
I hope you enjoyed this interview, and I hope you check out David’s books.
Author/media contact information
You can learn more about me, or follow me on my Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/RadWriterForChildren
When Grandpa Gets Going can be found at
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-grandpa-gets-going-david-radman/1127605571?ean=9781612969992
Peek and Boo are Looking for You can be found at
Santa’s Zany, Wacky Just not Right Night Before Christmas can be found at
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/santas-david-radman/1132479658?ean=9781933302249
I Bet a Dragon Could can be found at
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-bet-a-dragon-could-david-radman/1140827685?ean=9781684339372
Titles published by Black Rose Writing can be found at www.BlackRoseWriting.com
Santa’s Zany, Wacky, Just not Right, Night Before Christmas published by AC Publications
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