J. Daniel Reed Author Bio:
J. Daniel Reed (Joe) is an independent real estate investor and author. His new novel is The First Wolf Pack: A Dog’s Fable, the legendary journey of wolf, dog, and mankind.
After a successful career in commercial real estate, Joe has spent the last year exploring his love of creative writing. In The First Wolf Pack: A Dog’s Fable, Joe combines his writing talents with his deep knowledge and respect for dogs, wolves, other animals, and nature.
Born on the Northwest side of Chicago, into a three-generation household, he was raised by a committee—grandparent, parents, and three older siblings.
Joe lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, Barbara and their Bouvier des Flandres, Keera. When not writing, he loves outdoor photography, taking walks with Keera, nature hikes, gardening, birdwatching, cooking, and grilling.
Favorite books include: For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Red Badge of Courage, The Old Man and the Sea, Being There, Colors of the Mountains, Odd Thomas, Unbroken, The Silent Corner, The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Complete Sherlock Holmes.
What inspires you to write?
I write to inspire others with my stories, whether gritty or fun. I want to show the triumph of good over evil with relatable, entertaining, and memorable characters. This creative outlet brings me a lot of joy, as well.
Tell us about your writing process.
My books have genesis in two parts—the story’s ending and one to three main characters. My first published novel and the current manuscript also include an historical event that interests me, helping me to create an alternative version to accepted history. I find that naming my characters very early on is part of creating their personalities which helps me get to know them. Then, I let the characters tell me their stories, especially when I write myself into a dead end. I prefer to write during daylight hours and when I get in a zone, I lose track of time and push hard.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
My characters don’t speak to me, nor I to them! However, they somehow reveal themselves in my imagination as I begin to write. As they act out early scenes, I get to know them better. They describe themselves and tell me their stories; it is like watching a child grow up, but with their development occurring much more quickly. Whether it is them, or my imagination that leads, either way we do it together.
Who are your favorite authors?
Once I discovered Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series I was hooked. Then I had to read his Jane Hawk series and more. I adore John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway. I could not put down The Red Badge of Courage. The Complete History of Sherlock Holmes had me hooked as a teenager and I still love recalling some of the plots and ingenious solutions to the crimes.
What genres do you write?
So far I have expressed myself in fable and historical fiction genres. The book I just started also has a link to a historical event and is the story of a heretofore undiscovered person involved in a unique way, but missed by our telling of history.
How did you choose the genre(s) you write?
The stories in my head guide the genre. As a story coalesces from memories, creatures, and people, and begins to seem worthwhile, the genre becomes obvious. It was remarkable that my first novel just was to be a fable from the moment I had conceived its key theme. I simply named it The First Wolf Pack: A Dog’s Fable before twenty percent was written. I just knew it was a fable from conception. My second novel, that will launch in the second half of 2022, deals with a well-known historical event that I heard about as a child, from an eye witness.
What three things are on your writing desk at any given moment?
On my desk is my computer, assuming this as a given and not part of the intent of the question. On my desk you will also find a photo of my wife, Barb; an hour glass, and notebooks.
What hobbies do you have when you need a break from writing?
My pastimes include exercise on my treadmill, bowflex, and dog walking. I believe a good walk clears the head as does a good workout. I like to garden, except when it’s really hot, and when a new puppy comes home, I love dog training. I enjoy grilling most anything that doesn’t fall through the grill’s grates and like making wok/stir-fry dishes of various kinds. While actively working on a novel, I only read non-fiction. I can’t image myself reading fiction by other authors while creating my stories.
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print
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All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.
