Post date: Sep 29, 2016 4:39:42 AM
Craig Dirgo interview with David Alan Binder
Craig is the third co-author with Clive Cussler that I have interviewed! I love interviewing authors. Read below how he met Clive Cussler, very interesting!
Craig Dirgo’s bio is straight from his website:
Craig Dirgo is the best-selling author of The Einstein Papers, The Tesla Documents, The Cristos Parchment and Gunnison Grit. He also co- authored several books with the masterful Clive Cussler including The Sea Hunters I and II, Golden Buddha and Sacred Stone - all New York Times best sellers. One of six children of an Air Force Colonel, Dirgo grew up on air bases in the United States and England before finally settling in Colorado.
A part-time job washing and waxing classic cars led to meeting Clive Cussler, acclaimed author and founder of NUMA National Underwater and Marine Agency, a non-profit historical research foundation. When an opportunity arose to co-author a book about NUMA, Cussler asked Dirgo to take on the task. The result was the New York Times best seller, The Sea Hunters. This was followed by Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed and The Sea Hunters II. While working with Cussler, Dirgo also began writing on his own and soon thereafter published his first John Taft adventure, The Einstein Papers. Taking some time away from ocean adventures and writing, Dirgo formed several small businesses, moved back to the mountains he loves and concentrated on skiing and hiking. In 2010-11, he skied 115 days thus achieving a lifelong goal of skiing more than 100 days in a season.
In 2012 Dirgo published his first eBook novel, Gunnison Grit, a work of historical fiction set in Gunnison County, Colorado. He followed this work with re-issues in electronic format of The Einstein Papers and The Tesla Documents (originally published in paperback under the title Tremor) These were followed by the ebook exclusive The Cristos Parchment.
Website: http://craigdirgo.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Craig-Dirgo/e/B000AQ0TK0
1. How do you pronounce your name?
Dir-go.
2. Where are you currently living?
Colorado, New Mexico.
3. What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?
It’s all about the story.
4. What would you say is your most interesting writing, publishing, editing or illustrating quirk?
Not a quirk really-but I like complex plots.
5. Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher?
I self-publish now. It provides a writer with almost complete control.
a. Who is the name of your publisher and in what city are they?
6. Any insights eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?
I believe that eBooks and audio books will be dominant in the future. Print books will still be available and widely used but more for non-fiction.
7. Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published?
Go the self-publishing route until alternatives to the half-dozen big boys appear.
8. How did you or would you suggest acquire an agent? Any tips for new writers on getting one?
I already had a book deal when I sought an agent.
9. Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers (please be specific and informational as possible)?
Write, write, write. A wise old sage once told me you are not a writer until you write a million words. Since my average manuscript is 100,000 words-that’s ten novels published or unpublished. Fake it ‘til you make it.
10. What was one of the most surprising things you learned your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating?
The story changes as you write. Sometimes the direction surprises the writer.
11. How many books have you written?
Co-wrote 5. Sole author of 7.
12. Do you have any tricks or tips to help others become a better writer (please be as specific and information as you possibly can)?
Copy an entire book by someone else-that will give you the basis of structure and also test if you have the discipline to be a writer.
13. Do you have any suggestions for providing twists in a good story?
Look at the opposite of what you are thinking. What if the president was targeted? What if the target was not actually the president?
14. What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd?
I try to make my characters and plots different from the run-of-the-mill.
15. What are some ways in which you promote your work?
I don’t much. If you want the stories they are out there.
16. What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?
Write shorter stories. There is a lot of media in competition for people’s attention.
17. What saying or mantra do you live by?
Do it, then figure it out later. Most people never try-they just talk.
18. Anything else you would like to say?
I wish everyone the best and if you haven’t tried snow skiing give it a whirl-very fun.