Interview with D Everett Newell

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Interview with D Everett Newell

"My family is the world to me" says Big D. In conversation with D Everett Newell

Hi all,
Today we have a person interested in writing, photography, paranormal, history (Civil War and WW II), music, poetry, sports, computers, a grand father I wish to have Dennis Everett Newell, (Big D).

Hi Big D

Before going into the interview, I would like toa s you an out of the box question

How much do you love your family?

My family is the world to me, I am lucky to have a wonderful family, when all is stripped away, friends, material things, work life, what is left and what is counted on is family. I was raised to hold them 1st and I do.

Tell me about yourself

My name is Dennis Everett Newell; I am called in no certain order, Denny, Den, Big D, D Everett, and Dennis. It’s funny, but I can usually tell by how someone calls my name, what time in my life we shared. I guess there are many layers to a life that has now spanned 62 years. My middle name, Everett, has been passed down in our family since the Civil War. My great-great-grandfather’s name was Darius Newell, who named his son Silas Everett Newell, my great-grandfather. He in turn named his son John Everett Newell, my grandfather, who then in turn named my dad, John Everett Newell Jr. My dad named me Dennis Everett Newell, and my son is Corey Everett Newell.

I now live in Western New York, an area that if you don’t like the weather, wait 24 hours and it will change. The people that live here are tough, able, caring and resilient. I originated from the hills of Pennsylvania - a small town, Falls Creek, in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountain chain. Within my family heritage you will find lumberjacks, coal miners, and people of every vocation. You will also find warmth, loyalty and support. This family is the most loving and lovely family a young boy and now late middle-aged man could possibly ever hope for.

When did you start writing?

I have been writing all of my life, in one capacity or another. I began to get published in 2006, I am now the Author of eight books, which I am very proud of.

Did you witness battle of Gettysburg?

No,I did not see it. It was fought in July 1863, but I HAVE ALWAYS FELT I BELONGED THERE. Call is Déjà vu or something I have an affinity of feeling for that particular place and the events that unfolded there.

Why do you love PA so much?

The PA hills were where I was born and raised. A small town of maybe 500 people. We never locked our home or car doors. Everyone was a friend, all looked out for each other. I was a different time. The hills or mountains if you will are beautiful. The people there live with mother nature as a partner in life. My early life as I am fond of saying was one of story book tales. And it took place in my PA.

How is Kathy? How did you meet her?

My wife Kathy is the most caring unselfish person I have ever known. She is a hard worker. She takes great care in nurturing and protecting all she loves, and all who know her love her back. I am very lucky to be married to my very best friend.

Tell me about your singing career

I am tone deaf, I have no singing career, albeit some time alone in the shower. I have written some lyrics for other’s to sing, it was on my bucket list to do, and with help from my good friend and fellow Author Doug Hodges I have succeeded.

Why do you write?

Poetry, and my stories are my way of slaying the inner dragons within my mind, thus allowing my inner feelings and passions to escape – my relief valve if you will! I draw on my own personal inspiration from my assimilations and experience of my life lived. Experiences that I have taken then shaped and formed into stories and poems. Moments garnered from all people I have interacted with, during all these years of living. I am from a family with a long history of wordsmiths. Within these pages, I try not to let down those that came before me, and to pass a standard to those who will come after. Taking on this family mantle, I do so with pride and to the best of my meager abilities.

You write a lot of poems. Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

I have no designated time to write, and no strict structure when the urge hits me, when I have something that needs said I write.

Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?

I can write any day or any time, it’s my passion and again when I feel the urge I put pen to paper.

Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?

No, I never aim for set amounts of words/pages per day or per book. I write around a loose theme and when I am satisfied its done I look to have it published.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

I write on a computer using word, or long hand and my editor transcribes for me, I would say it’s 50/50 on how I write. I depends when and where the idea’s and passions hit me.

Where do the your ideas come from?

My ideas always come from events, and people around me. The things I do or observe. Could be a bird landing on a tree limb or a senseless killing anywhere in the world, when I am moved I write. I do not write to be famous or make money. I write because I need and want to.

Tell me about your publishing experience

I have published eight books with Cyberwit.net. I have looked any many many other publishing houses, but always come back to Karunesh at Cyberwit.net, they have treated me 1st class the entire time.

How are you publishing this book and why?

I am once again using Cyberwit.net to publish my newest book “The Best of The Big D” It is published in English.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?

Using Cyberwit.net I have the best of both worlds, they give me their marketing umbrella, yet I get many copies to sell on my own. As well as access to Amazon and other international markets.

How do you market your books?

I am marketed on Cyberwit.net, Amazon, Goodreads my own Author’s page on Face Book as well as many more sites. I also have a small following locally which I sell many books by word of mouth.

Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?

No, I would say that not one technique stands out, I write once again because I have to, I need to. Not to make large sums of money. Guess I am less concerned with that aspect

Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?

I don’t believe we have made any mistake per say.

Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?

I am not to judge on how successful others are. Success is a perception that is unique to each writer I believe.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

For me it would be “Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara, about the battle of Gettysburg, by the way it won a Pulitzer Prize for writing.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Keep it simple, write about your passions, about what moves you!
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
I am afraid it will more and more go to eBooks and I am not all that excited about that. To me I love having that book in my hand, turning the pages as I go!

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

Nothing that I can think of at the moment

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

By looking for D Everett Newell on Amazon, Cyberwit.net or by contacting me Dennis Newell on Face Book or at bygd1 AT aol.com
Website:
http://www.cyberwit.net/publications/819

And Facebook: Dennis Newell Twitter: Dennis Newell
Amazon Author Page: D Everett Newell

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

Thank You for allowing me the time for the interview!

- Posted by Rakhi Jayashankar