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Book: Blind Horizons

Q1.  Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

Hello, my name is Duane Windell Phillips.  When I was little, I didn’t like my middle name even though it is my father’s name.  As I grew older, I realized what a privilege it is to have that name.  There are few Windells in the world.  I proudly use my father’s name for my writings.  I am married and my wife and I have 4 kids.  All are grown and live on their own. My oldest daughter is pregnant with our first grandchild.

Q2.  What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Blind Horizons’ book?

The biggest challenge in writing Blind Horizons was telling a story about things I knew little about.  While not specifically stated in the story, the setting is in Lebanon.  I’ve never been to Lebanon and there were cultural differences I had to learn.  I have posted most of my stories on my blog and this one is no different.  A blog follower who liked the first few chapters and gave me positive feedback offered to help with cultural issues.  I would like to give them praise for their kind assistance but they wish to remain nameless.  I wish them my heartfelt thanks.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I’ve never considered who has influenced my writing since I’ve never tried to emulate anyone.  After publishing Blind Horizons I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and I was amazed at how it was told simply but with great emotional depth.  I discussed this with a friend and he commented that is how my stories are written.  If this is true, I consider it an honor to write like Mr. Hosseini.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I am blessed to have traveled to many places.  I have so many more places I hope to visit someday.  If you visit the US, and you like nature and being outdoors, you must visit Yellowstone National Park.  It is an amazing and diverse place on our beautiful planet.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

I suppose I am not a typical author.  I like writing and I write what is in my heart.  In the case of Blind Horizons, I told the stories of Ali and Amal.  Actually, they told their stories through me.  I had no outline and, other than knowing they had to meet again after many years, didn’t exactly know how the story would be resolved.  I got to a point where I wanted to write the story in one direction but that way wasn’t true to who the characters are.  Therefore, the story went in the way that was true to Ali and Amal.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Blind Horizons’ book?

I wrote the first chapter in my mind as I drove home on Christmas Eve.  I actually started typing out the story and posted it to my blog on Christmas Day.  The final post was completed May 3rd the following year.  So that is about 5 months.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Blind Horizons’ book to buy?

Blind Horizons is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.  It is also available on most bookstore websites.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Blind Horizons’?

Since sunsets are prominent in the story I knew a sunset needed to be on the book cover.  I worked with Rick Holland at Vision Press to make the book cover.  He was gracious enough to consider a photo of my own for the cover but we ultimately went a different direction.  For the book title, I must again offer thanks to the online friend for helping me with a catchy title.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I feel it is important to write about things that interest you.  If it is something you love you will be excited about it.  Also, I find you can keep things fresh when you purposely write about things you don’t fully know.  This forces you to stretch yourself.  It may be awkward at first but keep at it.  Writing is a muscle that must be exercised or it will wither.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Secrets from the book?  All the names mean something. Also, while this is a romance novel, can you guess how many kisses are in the story. You might be surprised.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Blind Horizons

Q1.  Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

I wanted to be a writer since I was seven years old, after first reading my first Nancy Drew book. Life got in the way and I didn’t have a chance to write my first book until I was 42 years old. I enjoy the art of creating characters and their stories.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, watching television (I’m a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed fan). I love hiking and traveling. I enjoy interior design and creating art.

Q2.  What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Day Of First Sun’ book?

It was my first book. I had a rough idea of what the book was about but I didn’t understand how to put the idea on paper. I published the book long before it was ready and in the ten years since I originally published it, I took it down from Amazon, re-edited it and started over. In 2015, I rewrote the ending of the book to answer more questions and then ended up rewriting the entire beginning, so that it is now the edition it is. I ended up writing The Day of First Sun in at least fifty drafts.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

The authors who wrote Nancy Drew. I fell in love with the detective genre and wanted to write my own stories. Judy Blume because I wanted to write a book that made the reader feel for the characters. Stephen King because he wrote outside the box and something unexpected.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I love Florida. I love being on the beach, near the water. Both my grandmother’s used to live in Florida. It’s just where we went.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

I’m a pantser meaning I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t plan my books. I start with a character and a generally idea of what I want the story to be about. Usually by the third draft, the story is pretty much where I want it and all I have to do is minor changes.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Black Market’ book?

Black Market took a year from the start of the first draft to the day it was ready to publish.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

Apple  https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1536935254
Kobu https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-day-of-first-sun-an-urban-fantasy-murder-mystery
Kindle https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019SES79O?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooks

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Wizard War’ & for the book ‘Prophecy’?

I have a really good team at Damonza.com. I give them themes of the books and some pieces that I’d like to highlight on the cover and they come up with the design for me. I give the design to several good friends who give me their opinions and suggestions and I take those to the book designer.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Each book’s mystery is concentrated in a different aspect of the wizard community. The Day of First Sun was a magical police procedural and stayed in Chicago.
Black Market took the reader to the black market, away from Chicago, and introduced a different aspect of magic in the form of a secret society.
In Wizard War, the reader’s journey was set in Europe and the reader met other Wizard Guard departments in the wizard world. It allowed a new view of magic and the reader could compare and contrast how it was different or the same.
In Prophecy, the reader was not in Chicago and learned more of Annie Pearce’s past. The magic was ancient and different in the book.
And in Rise of the Black Market, the reader was given the answers to questions they didn’t know they should ask. It was the culmination of the entire series and very personal to Annie Pearce.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the books (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

All the books pulled the main character, Annie Pearce, into a journey in which she discovers truths about her past and each story sets up her future. I hadn’t intended on the books being joined by one plot point, but it ended up that way.

Author’s Profile

Books are Available On Amazon