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Author Donald Allen Kirch Interview and $25.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest

Posted by Site Hostess Monday July 16, 2012

Reich by Donald Allen KirchBBB: Tell us 3 things not in your bio we don’t know about you that might make us leery of befriending you. LOL

DAK: Wow! Well, I’m a devout “Dr. Who” and “Star Trek” (TOS) fan. Each time I seem to inform girls of this, they give me the “Nice guy…stay away from” look. Don’t know why. Vulcans and T.A.R.D.I.S’ are cool! I cannot stay away from a bag of potato chips. LOL! They’re my kryptonite. And…I love classic horror movies.

Not too weird…I hope.

BBB: What actors would you choose to play some of your characters if your book were made into a movie or a TV show?

DAK: Good question! For the part of Captain Meyer, I would like to see Jason Statham (aged a few years by make up, of course) The First Officer, Jordan Starger…Chris Pine. Father Donavon…David Tennant (Aged a lot more by make up). Kate Donavon…Scarlett Johansson. Hitler…? Hmmmm. Ben Cross would do an excellent job as “The Monster.”

BBB: How do you keep track of your world building?

DAK: When I write, I take notes. Sometimes, I end up with a story outline that is larger than the novel. After everything is done, I read the finished book and envision myself as a child sitting in a movie theatre. There is nothing in this universe more critical than the eyes of a child. If the child within me isn’t entertained, or smiling at the end of the process, I do a rewrite.

BBB: Please tell us more about Reich and the storyline that drives it.

DAK: Reich takes place a few weeks after the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler’s life. The Third Reich is starting to crumble, the Allies have started their invasion of Europe, and the end is within sight. However, there’s one little factoid Adolf Hitler has kept to himself. The reason he survived the bomb blast, wasn’t because his guardian angel was working overtime. It’s because he’s a member of the undead.

The Captain of a u-boat is ordered to transport Hitler to one of the only remaining Gestapo bases in Norway, and his secret is learned. The Captain, a dedicated soldier from the “Old Germany” and not a Nazi, decides to “kill the beast.”

Reich” is a good old-fashioned “Monster movie” story.

BBB: I’ve noticed that in some of your books you refer to a somewhat obscure historical fact at the end. Do you find the fact first and build the story around it, or find a fact that fits the story? And how do you find them?

DAK: I love to start with facts and branch out from there. Nothing helps out a writer more than history. Even when writing a fantasy, with elves and dragons, one can always turn to an example in history for a little inspiration.

Reich” was partly based on an episode, that took place a few years after the Second World War. Someone discovered a “message in a bottle” which had stated that the leader of the Third Reich did not perish in the underground bunker, in the manner sold to us by the Soviets. He was killed in the hull of a German u-boat. I took that, and the amazing fact of his surviving a bomb blast from six feet away… added the occult…and created a horror novel.

BBB: Your books have a wonderful ‘film noir’ feel to them – atmospheric, full of tension and mystery. Have you written suspense?

DAK: Any good story should have suspense in it. Life is layered with the stuff. Thank you, for the wonderful complement though! My fingers are making my mouth smile as I type this!

BBB: Did you do any kind of research to determine the details of your characters lives / lifestyles?

DAK: Somewhat. Needed to know a little about u-boats, their crews, and how they were hunted down by the Allies. Other than that, I prefer to place myself in the character’s shoes, and see what I would do if I were them. Imagination and logic takes you far in the world of fiction. Fiction can be fun, as long as the outcome makes some kind of “wibbly wobbly timey whimey” sense. You know what I mean? ;-)

I had fun with the vampire world, just a little. I took most of Hitler’s personal characteristics and added them to the universe of the undead. Thereby making him “fit” as a vampire. Tooting my own horn, though, the “vegetarian” angle was a good one. Then there’s the factoid about water…

BBB: All of your characters are really complex and individualistic. Do you have a favorite character (and who)?

DAK: My favorite character in this story is Captain John Meyer. He’s an honorable man, who cares nothing about the politics of the war. He is a good person. He loves literature, is educated, and cares for his crew. Like most of us, in the course of our lives, he just wants to seek that moment of “peace.” Unfortunately, for him, he’s right in the middle of one of the worse wars in human history. I am a firm believer in the fact that there are good people, even in the face of our enemy. There were Germans, and then there were Nazis. Captain Meyer was a “good German.”

BBB: Would it be fair to call your books “Historic Horror”?

DAK: That’s the way I try to sell them. When I write horror, it is usually fact-based. A good example is my novel “Still Waters.” I based that on a 1922 British newspaper article. That the sinking of the Titanic was not because it hit an iceberg, but because of a mummy’s curse. Add a little imagination, knowledge of the disaster, and you got one hell of a story!

Horror and history work well together. What is more horrifying than “cause and effect?” That is what history is all about. That is horror as well. I mean, what would “The Monster’s” cause be, if Doctor Frankenstein hadn’t created the “effect?”

BBB: Are you a plotser or a panster? or a Planster (a combo of both – lol)

DAK: I am a Planster! All the way…

BBB: What types of creatures can readers expect in your world?

DAK: Anything I can create. I never try to follow dogma – life is more fun that way! However, there are certain rules one must follow. The hero should always be believable. The lover should always be cautiously hungry. And…the monster should be evil. Other than that…I’m game.

BBB: What’s coming up for you in 2012 and 2013?

DAK: Well…currently, I am collaborating with a fellow “creator,” John Raab, on an episodic novel called “Green Lake.” It takes place in a small Northern California town, that has a rather dark history. Think “American Horror Story” meets “Twin Peaks.” It’s available on Smashwords and B & N, and is updated every time we add another scene to it…and…it’s free! So far, it’s been great fun!

My first “historical” novel will be coming out quite soon. No monsters! It’s entitled “Selznick’s Folly,” and it’s a fictional account on the making of “Gone With the Wind.” In 1938, when the movie was made, the average film cost about $25,000. “Gone With the Wind” cost $3,000,000! The newspapers at the time labeled the project “Selznick’s Folly” because they all thought that the film’s producer, David O. Selznick, was a mad man. They predicted that the film would never make any money. Well…they were wrong! I invite you all to read the story and find out how they made it work.

In fantasy, the third novel in my “Nown World Chronicles” will be released at the end of the year. BBB readers can take a look at the first book “The Misadventures of Ka-Ron the Knight” here…you did a great review on it. The second book “The Lurker War” was released earlier this year, and the last book “The Return of Ka-Ron the Knight” will be out soon!

As for horror: I am working on a grisly “monster” story for the mystery lover. I’m still in the creative stage, but…looks interesting!

Note for Bitten by Books readers.

We are trying something new for our contests to see if it works out better for you and for us! I am sure many of you have seen the Rafflecopter widget on other blogs. If you have any trouble PLEASE email me at rachel@bittenbybooks.com do not post in the comments because I probably won’t see it. The only mandatory action is the first one which of course is your Name and Country as usual. All others are optional. Also, you can post as many comments and questions as you like, but there are 3 that are worth points if you want them. You can by pass using the widget at all, if you don’t want to enter the contest. The ONLY way to enter this contest is by using the Rafflecopter widget. It will add up all your points and save all of your data for me. So, the good news is you don’t have to count points or keep track anymore! YAY! Feel free to let me know what you think of this new method!

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Learn more about Donald Allan Kirch here:

Read reviews of the author’s work go here.
http://www.donaldallenkirch.com/
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/Donald-Allen-Kirch/148652113760
http://www.youtube.com/user/storywriter1967

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Posted under Contests,Interviews by Site Hostess on Monday July 16, 2012 at 11:52 am

100 Responses to Author Donald Allen Kirch Interview and $25.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest

  1. Jaime says:

    Jaime C USA

  2. Jaime says:

    humanity

  3. Raonaid Luckwell says:

    Answer A Question – Is there anyone out there who has read any of my other books? (Note: Eyes all watery and hopeful)

    —-> Sadly no, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of Donald Allen Kirch. Bittenbybooks is good at introducing new authors.

    • Thank you for being curious in my work, Raonaid! I agree with you about Bitten By Books…it is a WONDERFUL place to find new authors, great books, and fascinating people. Enjoy! Hope to make you a fan :-)

  4. Raonaid Luckwell says:

    Name the first novel, or film, that truly frightened you. And, why??

    First novel, hrm it was something a friend loaned me while I was spending the night. I was an avid book reader and did not have a book with me. While she went to do her thing I was left bored. So she gave me this horror book. I’ve never read one before… but I know the book played with my head.

    Freddy Kougar one. I can tell you that much. I am not really into that type thing. As I mention they play too much with my head, inspire nightmares. Why the hubby has to watch his horror movies after I go to bed.

    • LOL!

      The first book I read that frightened me was Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend.”

      • Raonaid Luckwell says:

        I really want to say it was V.C. Andrews; however my husband received last year from his mother box full of V.C. Andrew books. And I looked through them but none of the books matched what I read.

        But then again I was a teenager at the time. It was possibly ’91-’93 when I read it.

        I’ve read a few other horror books that were given to me. I’ve even read Stephen King’s The Other Half? Again same scenrio. I was at a different friend’s and they encouraged me to read it. Didn’t bother me like that one book did.

        Alas it shall remain a mystery. LOL

  5. Dina S says:

    Hi Donald, going to ck out your site and learn more about you and your books :)

  6. Dina S says:

    like Rao said, love this site brings us lots of new autors to find, there are so mant if not introduced too, wouldn’t know :)

  7. Rachel says:

    Okay movies that scared me as a kid? The Shining. The scene at the elevator where the blood is like a wave? that did me in. I don’t know what year that movie was made, but I probably shouldn’t have been watching it. LOL Pet Cemetary watching it freaked me out. I read it and was okay, but watching it? Oh HELL no.

    Most Stephen King books. I can’t read or watch horror anymore. Misery is one. The other one I can’t remember the name of it. Somebody here might know. It’s the one where the guy finds out he’s got part of a twin that was absorbed into his brain during his mother’s pregnancy? There’s like an eye and a fingernail or some such scary thing like that. That’s when I stopped reading King. LOL

    I’ve since learned that things like that DO actually happen, but Stephen King should NEVER be allowed to play with scenarios like that. See I was so scarred I cannot remember the name of the book.

    Glad to have you here with us Don!
    PS
    Don’t judge me by my youtube content. LOL

  8. John Raab says:

    From the US. Donald’s writing has always been fascinating. If you love Horror / Suspense, Donald is the author for you.

  9. Dina S says:

    The Excorsist is it for me, still can’t watch it, really freaks me out.

  10. Dina S says:

    Ok Donald, I bought your book and when done will leave a review :)

  11. Rachel says:

    Don,
    Do your books incorporate just a good old fashioned horror aspect or do they get down deep into that psychological horror too? In my mind there are two types of horror supernatural and psychological. I guess there is a mash up of them both. What are your books like? Especially Reich?

    • I like my horror “both ways.” ;-) For me, the most horrific “monster” is the one we create in our own minds. Remember, when we were kids, and watched that late Friday Night “Creature Feature” program every UHF TV station had in the past? (Right now, some of you guys are saying, Damn, he’s old!”) The movies were cheesy, but it was the build up in your mind, about the creature that made it fun. I like my monsters to be complicated.

      Reich is supernatural, and in a supernatural setting the hero should always be reluctant. In a supernatural story, the “monster” should always be pure evil…what better way to accomplish that, than to put fangs on Hitler?

      As I have stated, I try not to follow rules, but the ones I have mentioned here make for great drama. Reich was a lot of fun to write.

  12. Lisa R

    I look for compassion in a “good monster”

  13. Lisa R

    I haven’t read any of your other books but after this I’m off to scope them out.

  14. Flowers in the Attic- I read it as a high school freshman and it scared the crap out of me. I’d been reading Stephen King but for some reason the evil grandmother in FITA was much more real and it kept me awake for nights.

  15. Any plans for any YA books in your future?

  16. YOU are a paranormal character, what is your super power?

  17. If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?

  18. Lois M. says:

    Hi! :)

    Well… I’ll call a monster good if he doesn’t want to eat me or kill me, whatever his preferred thing is… :)

    And, ah, well, um, *cough*, you’re new to me, so um, no, can’t say I have read any of your previous works…

    First thing that really scared me… I just don’t remember… I can remember that early on, when we just got the Scifi channel, and I was home from school, either because there wasn’t any, or I was sick, they always seemed to have Killer Clowns from Outer Space on. Not sure if it scared me or not, but I’m assuming it was supposed to.

    Oh – and not sure if you are aware of this, but you can get a Trek/Dr Who fix with this three(?) issue comic series of TNG meets (the newest) Dr Who… me, I’m waiting for the hopefully they’ll wise up and finally do it Trek and Star Wars crossover… but not holding my breath. ;)

    Lois

    • The explosive popcorn always made me laugh…AND…”Another door!?”

      Already have my comicbook guy on it! Have the first two issues! Word has it that it will also crossover into classic Trek! Can’t wait. :o )

      As for not knowing me…well…now you do! Pleasure to meet you, Lois!

  19. Na S. says:

    Monsters are such interesting creatures for me. I definitely want to be scared of them but at the same time believe they can exist. That way it’ll scare me more the possibility of their existence.

    You are a new author for me and I’m always open to finding new ones. I grew up reading a lot of scary stories. As scary as some are I can’t stay away from them.

    The Candyman scared me :( I used to be scared to look in the mirror because he could just pop up and take me away. I remember a scene where he was covered in bees…*shudder*

  20. Here’s REAL for you: Ever hear of the Sallie House? It’s a haunted house in Atchison, Kansas…I was attacked there! I have attached a link telling my story there. So, Na S…Monsters Do Exist!

    Sallie House link:

    http://www.thesalliehouse.com/articles/donald_allens_story.html

    Wonderful meeting you!

  21. Storm says:

    Yea…I’m off work and finally here. I’ve read (and reviewed) 3 of your books and found it outstanding that although I had the sense of “you” in all 3, they were all very different from each other (saying this poorly). Still Waters was my favorite – combining Egyptian myth and Titanic was sooo out of the box! I’m a horror fan and you are as refreshing as a tall drink of cold water. It’s been somewhat difficult finding good horror books that didn’t include a chain saw. Movies scare me much more than books..the visual distracts me from the story. I’m a monster fan – grew up on Godzilla, Mothra, the Thing, The 50 foot aand radioactive ants (yes, I’m older than dirt). I also root for the monster :) (Think I covered things you asked.) So, where DO you find your historical quirks and tidbits – library, bookstores, stacks of history books piled on chairs in your kitchen?

    • Some people collect comic books, others coins, and even others movie stuff — well, I do to, actually…So…where was I?

      Oh! I collect odd facts. One on my favorite shows as a kid was “In Search Of…” hosted by Leonard Nimoy. This series is what started me off and running. Then came all the “monster” documentaries of the late ’70′s. I started reading books on Bigfoot, UFO’s, Loch Ness, hell…even Noah’s Ark! Ghosts and ghost stories were always my favorites. I closely followed the paranormal investigations of Hans Holzer – a ghost hunting hero of mine! I just have a knack of remembering an odd fact, and I use that as a means to create.

      I have a vast library of history, weird facts, and a few lumps of coal that were brought up from the Titanic.

      I am so honored to finally talk with you Storm! Thank you for such wonderful reviews. :-)

      • Storm says:

        I collect figurines marked “Made in Occupied Japan”, simply because of the historical factor and clever psychops it was. Also, old Japanese monster movies. I’m a wuss…ghosts scare me. LOL…I gave you good reviews because you wrote GREAT books – unique, clever, surprises galore, twists, turns and flat out twisted a time or two. You are a craftsman and it shows. I believe that some of them would translate beautifully to screen..any plans for that? (ps..thanks for your kindness during my Facebook silliness and I’m eating a BBQ chip in your honor)

        • My fav Japanese monster is Gamera. A huge flying turtle……you gotta love it. AND Jonny Sokko and his Giant Robot! My publishers are talking with people who are talking…it’s a weird game of “hurry up! and wait…and wait…and……………….wait.”

          Is good to eat chips! I’m diving into a bowl of double chocolate chip ice cream with fudge topping! (Drool)

          • Storm says:

            Ice cream ? You have ice cream ? Earline, you just reminded me that I went to the Tut exhibit in Seattle a couple of weeks ago. Wowza – not only were the items exquisite, but the exhibit was very clever..low reddish lighting, a path that leads through 10 rooms ..deliciously spooky. I was waiting for things to jump out from behind the huge statues and swear I heard whisperssss (which of course were the other folks touring, but I have a vivid imagination). There IS something about being the presence of such items so seeped in their own history and mystery. I would love to see the Titanic exhibition. Has anyone else here seen the Tut exhibit?

    • Earline says:

      Still Waters is still my favorite but Manchester House was fun. I saw the Titanic exhibit this weekend and they mentioned the fact that some people thought the ship sunk because of a mummy’s curse because supposedly there was a mummy in the cargo hold.

  22. Lisa D. USA says:

    I like the way you think. History that you can bend to make a really good book out of it. I’m going to be buying your book. My grandson although he’s
    just 9 has a true love for history. He is into Kennedy and Lincoln but often
    talks about the Germans. I’ll share this book with him so we can read it together and what he has questions about I can help him enjoy the books that I Like.
    Lisa D. USA

  23. Well…it’s about that time. I had a wonderful day, meeting and talking with all of you. I hope that you all enjoy my work and let me know what you think of it. If you wish, please, ask for my friendship on facebook. I look forward to reading all your reviews.

    There is one truth all creative people know: No matter how much we may try to fool ourselves that it is our own creative talents that propel us through life, it is the simple and honest love of the fan that keeps the universe alive. You are all decent and brilliant people…

    Thank you for the chance of knowing you!

  24. Dovile P. says:

    A good monster is one that makes my heart beat faster.

  25. Dovile P. says:

    Sorry, I haven’t read your books yet.

  26. Dovile P. says:

    A horror movie based on Stephen King’s Christine, about a possessed car that killed any females that got into it because it was jealous of its male owner. I was only 5 or so when I watched it, and it made me believe for some time that there’s a creature under my bed that will grab my ankle if I go near it.

  27. Do you remember a movie called “The Car?” It was about the Devil’s car, going out on its own, and terrorizing a small town. Starred James Brolin. Scared the ga-gee-bees out of me when I was younger.

  28. Dina S says:

    do you go to an kinds of comventions?

    • Oh, I wish! Don’t make that much at this and traveling money is tight. However, one thing about life that remains the same…”Things Change”…so, who knows about the future? Perhaps, one day! AND…I certainly look forward to it! :o )

  29. Pingback: Author Donald Allen Kirch Interview and $25.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest LIVE Here! | Vampire Occult Society

  30. Roni Lynne says:

    Hi Don!

    It seems like we’ve got a bit in common! I’m a big fan of the old b/w monster movies too! Godzilla & Gamara are my favorites~I even had a toy Godzilla (back in the 70′s) that (for some unknown reason) shot one of his fists off. We religiously watched In Search Of… growing up. Several years ago there was a channel that showed reruns~it was cool while it lasted. And of course, I’m a total Star Trek & Doctor Who fan.

    The 1st book to scare the pants off me is the one that STILL scares me: James Herbert’s THE DARK. I never finished the book because it scared me so bad & I had to stay up all night with the lights on for weeks after reading the part I did!
    The movie that scared me? That’s harder. I think Helter Skelter. I remember being over at my uncle’s house as a child & the movie was on TV. I only saw bits & pieces, but what I saw was enough. REAL monsters always scared me more than imagined. I could never watch episodes of Unsolved Mysteries for that reason.

    Best of luck with your books!

  31. justpeachy36 says:

    The first thing I look for in a good monster is if it scares me or not. Does it make the hair on the back of my neck stand up, that sort of thing.

  32. justpeachy36 says:

    I haven’t read any of this authors book before, but I’m certainly interested.

  33. justpeachy36 says:

    The first movie that really scared me was Pet Symetery. Stephen King just has this knack for scaring the crap out of people lol.

  34. starryblue says:

    The first thing I look for in a good monster is his appearance. I must decide if he is terrifying.

  35. starryblue says:

    The first movie that frightened me was The Grudge. When I was an early teen I use to love watching scary movies. I saw this movie with my sister at 2:00 A.M.
    Something about the character gave me the chills.

  36. You woke up this morning and realized you had been reincarnated as a pair of shoes.
    Describe yourself.

  37. If you were selected today for an outer space adventure (forget any family obligations), would you go?

  38. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?

  39. Rae M. says:

    I haven’t read anything from you. Yet! I swear as soon as my TBR list stops trying to devour me like some weird paper version of Audrey II (the giant plant from Little Shop of Horrors), I’ll read it!

    As for the first film that scared me…it’s a toss-up. For me it’s always things that are more disturbing than scary. One was in the movie Poltergeist. That THING (and it demands to have all capitol letters) that appeared in front of Carolanne’s door creeped me out! It was all wrong. It’s arms were too long and its legs were bent weird. Not okay!

    The other was in the movie The Gate. I don’t know if anyone has seen it. But when an eyeball appears in one of the character’s hand. Ugh. I was rubbing my hand for a long time.

    For a book, it was a 3-book series written by Charles de Lint writing as Samuel M. Key. If I had to choose one it would be From a Whisper to a Scream. The only book to have ever given me a nightmare.

    And for what makes a good monster, hmm it depends on what kind of monster we’re talking about here. For most I think it’s got to be the look. There should be something menacing or frightening about the way the character looks. Whether it’s purely physical or some air about them.

    So now I’m curious, what movies or book frightened you?

    Thanks!

    • Rae,

      The first movie that scared the ga-gee-bees out of me was a low-budget Italian movie called “The Gates of Hell.” Good story! I was eleven, and eating a plate of spaghetti. There was a scene of a couple making out in a VW bug, and a demon approaches, causing the woman to vomit up all her internal organs – made the rest of my dinner…interesting. :-P

      The first book was a tie between “Salem’s Lot” and “The Exorcist.”

  40. If we looked under your bed, what would we find?

  41. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

  42. If You Could Spend 24hrs As One Of Your Favorite Super Heroes, Who Would You Be?

  43. Thank you all for your kind attention and time. I hope that you all enjoy my books. Can’t wait to see who will win!

  44. Dina S says:

    congrats lois and leni

  45. My VERY BEST to both winners! Take care, my friends! ;-)

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