Brit Author DAVID RUSSELL

REVEALS...
From where do you get inspiration and what inspired you to write Self's Blossom?
From other people’s experiences told to me, from my own ‘secret yearnings’, from books and films. In this instance, I was catalysed by a friend’s work, and those strands came together.

In a couple of sentences, describe the hero’s character. What do you like best/least about him?
He is bright, observant, detached, aloof, calculating. He is somewhat lacking in warmth; one reviewer described him as ‘creepy’. I would not dispute this.

And the heroine? How do you relate to her?
I suppose I put her on some sort of pedestal, as supremely bright and beautiful. But I also felt I had some empathy for underlying self-questionings and insecurities.


BUY


Who controls the story – you or your characters?
I think my characters took control, the heroine especially.

What do you hope your readers come away with after reading the book?
Plenty of food for thought, and complexities

What do you enjoy about writing romance?
One can imagine oneself in these exciting situations, and get away from irritating, humdrum stresses. It is also benign in that it dissipates anger and bitterness, and makes one feel philanthropic afterwards.

What do you like best and least about writing?
Best is that is its exciting and invigorating, worst in that mechanical chores are necessary to keep it up and running.

Do you have a writing routine?
I try to do some every day, however little, and even if it’s just amendment or proofing; there’s always something to go on with.

Anything special you require to keep the creative juices flowing?
Dialogue with others, prompts from their experience and their criticisms.

What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
Always be receptive to criticism, but never accept the judgement of one individual as final Good advice!

What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
A sequel to my story ‘Explorations” (also published by Devine Destinies)

How do you like to spend your free time?
Painting, listening to and making music (I am also a singer/songwriter)

Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions you wish to accomplish? What would you most like to accomplish this year?
I would like some of my speculative fiction, and a translation, to see the light of publication.

What was your favourite book as a child/teen/adult?
Are you currently reading anything? Franz Kafka’s The Castle  Must revisit Kafka sometime...

What is your culinary speciality?
Brown rice, lentils, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, onions and smoked mackerel

Which flower would best describe you and why?
The foxglove, because I like to think of myself as inscrutable.

Any other exciting plans coming up?
Only exciting reveries; I’d love to be able to enact my hero’s part for a brief stint.

Thanks for allowing us this insight into your world, David
Find David on Goodreads where there are some great reviews!
Don't forget to come back tomorrow to read an excerpt
And leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Self's Blossom

A Big Welcome to Brit Author
DAVID RUSSELL

First, a little about David:
Born 12 June 1940 and living in West London, UK, David is a writer in all genres, including poetry, fiction, and criticism, and he is a guitarist and singer-songwriter.
Some of David’s erotic poems have been featured in anthologies produced by Forward Press. He has a collection of poetry and prose entitled Prickling Counterpoints, that has been published in many magazines. He has written two novellas: High Wired On (speculative fiction) and Self’s Blossom (romance).
The latter, together with the short story Explorations, have been published by Silk’s Vault. His albums include Bricolage (Hangman Records, 1992) and Bacteria Shrapnel (Posterity Recordings, 1997).

And here's the blurb for Self's Blossom
A romantic, erotic tale of a vivid portrayal of the quest for the inner truth, empowerment and sexual liberation of Selene, a woman searching for primeval abandon and reckless adventure.


Intelligent, a university graduate and a successful careerist, Selene became emotionally scarred by
unhappy relationships. Riled and taunted through the years by her former college roommate Janice, Selene gave in to the long-term desire to “get one back” at Janice by having a passionate holiday
encounter.


Immediately drawn to the sea and enthralled by its brutal yet sensual waves, Selene seduces a
young boy on a deserted beach. Once she comes to meets the mature and powerful Hudson, Selene
finally begins to claim her sensual destiny. Through a slow process, accentuated by Selene’s shyness, introspection and circumspection, she embarks on a long and elaborate interplay of leading on and rejection. The volcanic passion builds until there is a blazing row. A possible drowning, the final ritual undressing at long last, leads to the ultimate flowering of the woman Selene was meant to be.


This is about a young woman's self-discovery. Selene is a 'success story', having become a top journalist, while retaining her dazzling looks. However, in the past she has had unhappy relationships, and feels she has missed out on hedonistic fun. This she obtains, firstly with a young stranger on a beach, and finally with enigmatic Hudson: tryst is preceded by cultural tourism, and careful sizing up of minds. Afterwards Selene returns to her 'I stand on my own' attitude.
While she is on holiday, her mind is free to ramble, often into Selene's chequered past. Flashback blurs into the present, past-rooted interior monologue into direct observation. The dialogue is sparse. Selene is a cautious, premeditative type, in whom thought, reflection and analysis outweigh direct action.
Selene’s subtle, monitoring mind coolly observes and controls all the events. Maybe she is super-confident, or perhaps has a deep, underlying insecurity. She is many things to many readers.


Self’s Blossom is now in its third edition. The first was a limited edition paperback with Public Press (Jazz Claw Publications), the second with Silk’s Vault (now defunct), the third, current, with Devine Destinies. Buy link

Read the excellent selection of reviews at Goodreads
The BritishRomanceBlog and Devine Destinies

Come back tomorrow for David's interview
And leave a comment for the chance to win a copy of Self's Blossom