I didn’t know Donavan Walker very well up until recently. I didn’t even know his real first name until this interview with him; I only knew him as Draco Night on Twitter. Now I’ve found that we have quite a bit more in common than I thought.
Walker is an author of exciting science fiction books which bring the energy of old Saturday morning cartoons to prose form; something similar to what I have tried to do with my own novellas. Recently, Walker took the time to sit down and answer a few questions from yours truly.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live now? What did you want to be when you grew up?
My name is Donavan Walker and I was born in California and currently still live there despite all its issues.
I am doing what I always wanted to do. Being an Author is what I wanted when I was a kid and now I am one. Seeking to give good entertainment to the masses in need of it and entertaining myself while making money in the process.
What made you want to start writing? What motivates you to keep writing?
I do not know what specifically made me start writing. It was just something I fell into and found out I loved it. I did take a break from it which lead into a dark period into my life. Writing helped me escape it. it is apart of me. I love to write, to create, to make art and I wish to make the best I can.
When did you start writing?
Very young. My hand writing was terrible so I had a portable typewriter called an AlphaSmart in school. I randomly started typing on it. Then I wrote a poem for an oratorical fest, which I won first place in. From there I wrote some short stories, fanfiction and other projects. The rest is history.
How did you come up with the idea for this book specifically?
Star Warden was born from one simple thought. “What if I could make my own Saturday Morning Cartoon with no Broadcast Standards and Practices restrictions?“
Saturday Morning Cartoons have all the action, adventure, clear morality, and pure entertainment missing in mainstream works. I wanted to take that energy and put it in a prose format. To entertain and inspire others. As those old cartoons did for me.
What was it like writing your first book?
Exciting and stressful all at the same time. The writing was fun. Editing was the hard part. Kept finding plot holes, and spelling errors. I thought I had it done, only to find another one I didn't catch earlier. Still it is not an experience I would say I regret, just part of the process. A frustrating part of the process.
How did you go about publishing your book? Would you do it that way again? Why or why not?
I started publishing it as chapters on my blog until I fully compiled it and edited it for release on KDP. Since it was so simple to do I will most likely put the next books on Kindle as well. Amazon also has most if not all reading eyes on it, so I'll keep publishing there.
Are you planning on writing more? If so what are you working on now? When is your next book going to be coming out?
Absolutely. I am working on Volume 2 of Star Warden currently and I am planning for a 2022 release. Followed by the other books in the series over time. Unlike certain authors I have an ending planed and will finish this series.
Can you tell us about your other books?
The other books in the series will continue the story of Sam and Kaguya in their quest to defeat Daimos and free all worlds from tyranny and evil. Still in the same action-adventure Saturday morning cartoon vein. The next three books concern itself with the first arc. A Season One if you will.
I have other idea in mind with the focus being on action, adventure, and heroism. Especially on worlds other than our own. Sword and Planet, or Isekai for anime fans, needs new blood alongside space opera stories and entertainment for boys. I aim to provide as much high quality stories as I can.
What helps you to write? Music, pets, reading, specific pen, etc.?
Music mostly. I have a youtube playlist that I play in the background along with other selections. Just leave me alone with some good music as the only sound and I can get things done quickly.
What has writing taught you?
That I am a Christian. That there is more to this world than the physical and that things are worth fighting for. That even in hard times there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I've placed that idealism in Star Warden. Hopefully it will inspire others to keep moving forward and believe in themselves.
What authors inspire you?
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, and Micheal Moorcock. All of them heavily prolific writers who are not bound to modern standards of realism and don't need to write 500 pages to tell a simple story. Their chapters are short and to the point. Showed me that I don't have to write long novels, just be as long or short as needed.
There are few modern authors that inspired me. K.M.Able better known as Fiannawolf who writes the Uplift Protocol. She was the first reader when Star Warden was just a blog. She encouraged me to keep going and I want to pay back that encouragement by completing this series.
Do you go back and reread your writing after it’s been completed?
Yes. I enjoy my story and I like to read it myself. Mostly my favorite parts.
What is your advice for writers?
Just write. Write it down and finish it. Write what you want to read and don't concern yourself with being original. Once it is written down and you've completed it then you can worry about editing or market appeal or anything else you think is important. But write it first, you can't do anything until it is written.
Is there anything else you want to add?
Thank you Mr. Wilson for interviewing me.
And thank you, Mr. Walker for taking the time to answer these questions. It was fun getting to know you a bit better.
You can purchase Star Warden on Amazon now by clicking the image below.