About David-Matthew Barnes:
David-Matthew Barnes is the author of several novels and collections of stage plays, poetry, short stories, and monologues. Two of his young adult novels have been recognized by the American Library Association for their diversity.
David-Matthew has written over forty stage plays that have been performed in three languages in eight countries. His literary work has been featured in over one hundred publications including The Best Stage Scenes, The Best Men’s Stage Monologues, The Best Women’s Stage Monologues, The Comstock Review, and The Southeast Review.
David-Matthew was selected by Kent State University as the national winner of the Hart Crane Memorial Poetry Award. In addition, he has received the Carrie McCray Literary Award, the SlamBoston Award for Best Play, and earned double awards for poetry and playwriting in the World AIDS Day Writing Contest. He has received national awards in the Split This Rock Poetry Contest and the New Works for Young Women Playwriting Competition. His screenplays and teleplays have been recognized with awards from the Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition in London and the Film Makers TV Writing Competition in Los Angeles.
David-Matthew graduated magna cum laude from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a degree in Communications and English. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina.
David-Matthew is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
David-Matthew has been an arts educator for over a decade. He is a faculty member of the low-residency MFA in Writing Program at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, where he instructs and mentors graduate students in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Playwriting, and Screenwriting.
David-Matthew is the Program Director of the Theatre Arts and Dance Department at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado.
What inspires you to write?
My love for writing comes from my love for reading. I grew up reading fantastic novels. It didn’t take long for me to realize writing was my purpose. I really love the research process of a novel. So often I discover something new and usually it inspires more creativity. With each novel I write, I aim to continue to improve and strengthen my craft. Receiving feedback from my readers also motivates me. When I receive a letter from a reader who tell me they’ve identified and connected with something I’ve created, I feel like I’ve done my job.
Tell us about your writing process.
I write every day. During the week, I’m up every morning by five o’clock, sitting at the computer in my home office. On Saturdays, I will typically write until noon. Sundays I usually write in the afternoon. I do a tremendous amount of plot planning and pre-writing when preparing for a new project. I’m definitely an outliner.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I do both. Knowing my characters on all levels is a must for me. I certainly allow them to take me by surprise, but I also know when to reign them.
What advice would you give other writers?
The teacher in me says to study your craft. You owe it to your writing and your readers to know about technique and style. It is very important to write as often as possible. Frequency not only makes you a stronger writer, but it can help you strengthen your voice and lead you to discoveries about your work.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I have published novels traditionally (with a publisher) and independently through my own publishing company. There are pros and cons to both. Certain books I will decide to publish independently, specifically to maintain a greater sense of creative control over the story, the marketing, the release itself. These are often more niche titles, written for a very specific audience.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I am an eternal optimist, so I have great hope for the future of book publishing. With that said, I do feel the path to publishing (for authors) has changed considerably in the last decade – and it’s continuing to evolve. Authors have many more self-publishing options than they used to. I feel like these options will continue to grow and impact traditional publishing.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: young adult, contemporary romance, thriller, mystery, LGBT, mm romance, horror
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
David-Matthew Barnes Home Page Link
Link To David-Matthew Barnes Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit, to allow you, the reader, to hear the author in their own voice.
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