Monday, February 4, 2019

A Chat with William D. Holland


Resurrecting Tobias by [Holland, William]Bill Holland, otherwise known as William D. Holland, is a man of many talents. He shares his wisdom about writing in his weekly Mailbag series on Hubpages, his thoughts and lessons about life via his Artistry with Words blog, and even manages to channel some of the darker truths about life into more meaningful life lessons that bring hope to humanity. His talent as a writer is put to good use creating life-affirming novels, such as Resurrecting Tobias, as well as in his smaller novelas. Even through the minds of some of the most infamous characters imaginable, Bill has a grip on both the good and the bad of worldly reality. If you have not yet read one of his works, I highly recommend that you do. You will not be disappointed.

In the meantime, however, you can get to know this author by reading his responses below. And if you are lucky enough to already know him, you will no doubt still enjoy a further glimpse into this author’s mind.



First Things First


1. Most of us who already know you and your work call you Bill. However, your books list the author as William D. Holland. Why is that?

I thought it sounded more formal and business-like, Shannon. It was one of those random decisions we all make along the way which probably don’t affect a darned thing.

Author Basics

1. Why do you write? Yes, I know that this question can go off on so many tangents. What are yours?

It’s a way for me to express myself. I’m an introvert with a desire to be heard and noticed, and writing gives me a platform where I can accomplish that.

2. How would you describe your writing style?

Conversational and introspective! How’s that for succinct?

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

In my office. It’s the only place I write. I’m a creature of habit.

4. Do you follow a certain routine when writing? Can you walk us through your creative process?

The creative process is a tough thing to describe. It is so individualistic, isn’t it? My creativity comes from so many sources, and ideas rarely come to me when I’m trying to be creative. Ideas come to me from songs, from tv shows I watch, or from nature walks. I never know when an idea is going to pop into my head, and I’m always surprised when it does.

5. What is your worst writing habit?

I’m not sure I have one. I used to allow writing to take over my life, but I’ve curtailed my writing over the past couple of years, so now my obsession isn’t so consuming.

6. Do your books ever require research? If so, how much and what kind?

Hardly ever, and that’s because I’m basically a lazy researcher. I write about things I know about and places I’ve visited or lived in. That way I don’t need to do research.

7. Do you remember what it felt like to publish your very first novel? Please share. And does that feeling still hit every time you publish something new?

Oh my God, I was excited about that first novel. I don’t think any novel after that first one can compare. Sure, it’s nice to finish others, but that first one dispelled all self-doubt about whether I could do it or not. It established, in my mind, that I might have what it takes to be a writer.

8. What is your favorite piece of writing - authored by yourself, of course?

My favorite novel is “Resurrecting Tobias.” It is an introspective character study and there is a lot of my life in that book. It was therapeutic to write. As far as short stories go, or reflective pieces, I’m not sure I have a favorite. I did a short story about a little girl named “Hope,” which was important to me, so maybe since that’s the first one I thought of, it is my favorite.

9. Does inspiration strike anywhere at any time or does your muse have discipline?

My muse has zero discipline and she keeps very odd hours. I have no idea where inspiration will come from, or when it will arrive. All I know is I’m very happy with my muse. She’s done a fine job.

10. Does your muse have a name?

No, that would be a bit scary if she did….I’m afraid someone would suggest a padded cell for me if I start naming imaginary people. LOL

11. Do you have any secrets for overcoming writers block?

I’ve never had it, so any advice I would give would be a bit silly . . . but I do think it’s important to just keep writing. Sooner or later the wall will come down.

12.  In general, as a writer, do you think you see the world differently than others?

I think writers have a keener sense of the world, and I think they interpret what they experience in a different way. Most people see something and that is what they interpret, the actual physical thing they saw. I see something and I interpret it with a metaphor or simile. It’s not that we experience more deeply than others, but rather we express that experience in a different way….artists do the same thing, I think.

13. What author would you love to be compared to and why?

Two, actually….Harper Lee and James Lee Burke. Harper Lee because of her simplistic storytelling talent, and James Lee Burke for his ability to describe a scene in stunning detail.

14. If a movie were made to tell your life story, what actor would portray you?

The first person I thought of was Tom Hanks, so I’ll go with him. If he was unavailable it would be Matt Damon.

15. Is there a writing type or genre that you cannot do even to save your life?

Romance novels…it will never happen for this boy!

16. What is the most cliche opening line that you can think of?

“It was a dark and stormy night!” Shoot me if I ever write such doo-doo!

17. If you could go back and time and tell writing self something just before writing your first novel, what would it be?

I would go back thirty years instead of ten and tell that idiot to start writing sooner. Time’s a’waistin’, Billy Boy, and you have too much to say and not enough time to say it!

Reader Questions

1. Do you prefer a tangible book in your hand or an ebook online somehow?

I’m a tangible book guy. Hate may be too strong a word, but I dislike ebooks intensely.

2. What is your favorite place to read?

Anywhere that’s quiet!

3. What genre will you never read?

Romance novels!

4. What is your favorite genre to read?

Mysteries!

5. What is your all-time favorite book?

“To Kill A Mockingbird.”

6. Do you have a favorite author?

Harper Lee…first time out of the gate, she wrote one of the greatest books ever . . . pretty cool!

7. If you could be any literary character in the world, who would you be?

Atticus Finch from Mockingbird…it would be cool to have that much wisdom for a little while.

Just For Fun

1. You’re standing at the edge of a cliff, ocean below. Do you jump?

If I’m drunk, yes; otherwise, no friggin’ way!

2. If you could live in any time era, which one and why?

1840’s and 1850’s, wagon trains moving west into the Great Unknown. I would have done that. The chance to see a new land, start over somewhere never seen before…that is attractive to
me.

3. Sum up your life story in one sentence.

“Trip, stumble, and fall, but always moving forward in love.”

4. If you had the chance to meet any historical person who would it be and why?

Abraham Lincoln . . . again, wisdom . . . and strength of character . . . he strikes me as our most human President in history.

5. How would you describe your favorite color to someone who is blind?

A combination of several other colors, borrowed, mixed together, creating a pleasurable experience like walking through a field of wild lavender.

6. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

A St. Bernard . . . slow but reliable!

7. What is your all-time favorite memory?

Playing catch with my dad on a warm summer evening.

8. What is your most annoying habit to yourself and to others?

To others, my inflexibility about my daily schedule, and my insistence to follow my routines. To myself…my inability to ignore stupidity and rudeness. I wish I could just let it be, but it annoys me that some people are so stupidly rude.

9. What would be your first question after waking up from being cryogenically frozen for 100 years?

What the hell????? I came up blank on this one . . . sorry!

10. Name one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.

Go to Yellowstone National Park! A random answer for sure, but it’s one of my all-time favorite experiences, a rare opportunity to see wild animals in a natural environment, where humans are the guests, a place we have not managed to ruin yet.

16 comments:

  1. Awwww thanks, Shannon! It was a pleasure answering your questions. It was a bigger pleasure reading your kind words about me. I am now embarrassed. lol

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    1. Nah, you're just humble. I only spoke the truth. Ask your many followers and loyal readers who know you personally. The pleasure was mine!

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  2. I already knew Bill from HubPages and consider him a friend, so I wasn’t really surprised by any of his answers. I did enjoy the interview though Shannon, and Bill is a great example of what it takes to be a writer.

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  3. Excellent interview questions, Shannon! I've know Bill for as long as he's been with HP. I consider him a great friend and we all know he's an excellent writer. I have just about every novel he's written, including his first, The 12/59 Shuttle From Yesterday to Today. Excellent read!

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    1. His books are definitely worth reading. Thanks so much for leaving a comment, Shauna.

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  4. Well done Shannon! Very thorough.
    I wholeheartedly agree with Bill on Harper Lee and 'To Kill a Mockingbird'...and about Romance novels.

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    1. Thanks, Angie! Yes, that was a good book, though I have not read it since high school. As for romance novels, for me, it depends on the type of romance. I don't mind a story that includes a romance in it or a cheesy Hallmarkish romance. LOL

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  5. Great job, Bill and Shannon.

    Shannon, all the best with your website - looking great!

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  6. Excellent interview. I can't say that any of Bill's responses surprised me. I've known him for 8 years on Hub Pages. Thank you for creating this interview and sharing the wit and wisdom and love of this wonderful man.

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    1. That sums it up, Linda. Wit, wisdom, and love. Thanks for reading and for commenting!

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  7. An excellent interview with Bill, Shannon, but not surprising since I've known him from Hubpages. We both joined about the same time, and I discovered him a year or two later. I didn't know that you blogged until he mentioned it in his weekly Mailbag. Glad to know that.

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    1. Did he mention it in his mailbag? Gosh, I'm a terrible friend then. I read it and somehow missed that! This week's??? Sorry, Bill!

      Thanks for coming by, MzB. I just started this site recently, though it's been on my mind for quite some time. I just had to let life settle down some before I could start it. I have another site that is geared toward country music. Some of my interviews with music artists have been featured on HP and Spinditty. I put links on a few of them back to the music blog. I'm hoping to be able to do more author interviews here. It will be nice to share the work of old friends and to make new ones as well.

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  8. I love this man, but who doesn't? Bill is helping me with my first book...I'm in good hands. Just want to say "thank you" for a terrific interview with a terrific man, author and friend!

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    1. Hi, Audrey!I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview, and I'm not the least bit surprised that he is helping you with your first book. He's pretty awesome that way.

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