Interview: H. David Blalock

   

   Born in San Antonio, Texas, David spent the majority of his formative years in Jacksonville, Florida. At the age of 16, his family moved to the Panama Canal Zone where David finished school and entered employment with the Department of Defense as a Powerhouse Electrician.
   Hiring into the FAA in 1977, he returned with his wife and two daughters to the States and settled briefly in Gulfport, MS. Then, in 1981 he moved to Memphis, TN, as an Air Traffic Controller for the Memphis ARTCC. There he remained until his retirement in 2008.
   David's writing has appeared in numerous anthologies, magazines, webzines, and writer's sites. His novella HIGH KINGS (Sam's Dot Publishing, 2011) was First Runner Up for the 2012 Darrell Award for Best Novella. ANGELKILLER, the first of the Angelkiller Triad, appeared from Seventh Star Press in 2011. The second book in the series is scheduled to appear in late 2012.


Favorite reads?
When I get a chance to read, it is normally related to what I am currently intending to write. History, fantasy, action, whatever my next project demands. If I read for fun, it is most often something by Heinlein, Bradbury, or the lesser known science fiction writers.

Inspirations for the Angelkiller Triad?
I am fascinated by today's virtual reality games and their potential. It is as if humanity is creating a brand new, flexible existence whose rules and regulations can be adjusted and/or broken with impunity. I wondered what that would do to an ancient conflict that struck to the heart of human existence.

Did you know you wanted to be an author when you were little?
I was an author when I was little. I wrote my first short story at about age 7. Of course, it was not published, but from that point forward I knew I was a writer at heart.

Any Pet Peeves?As a writer and editor, I find the disregard in which the English language is held today to be annoying. People need to learn how to spell properly. Yes, I am a grammar Nazi. What's your point? (smile)

Chocolate or Peanut Butter?
Both. I am no bigot when it comes to food.

The weirdest thing you've ever done?That is a hard one. Where do I begin? I jumped from an airplane at 17 on a dare. I went spelunking without the proper equipment. I spent time in the rain forest alone. I walked Hadrian's Wall while being 60 pounds overweight (not something I recommend). I drove a stock drag racing car. I could go on...

Is there a soundtrack to the book/Favorite music?
No soundtrack would properly fit Angelkiller, I my opinion. I leave it to the reader to determine that on their own. My personal favorite music is the Moody Blues. And Evanescence. And Enya. And Black Sabbath. Oh well...

Do you need anything to write?
Usually, a pencil, paper, a good cigar and a bottle of single malt (preferably Glenfiddich).

How long do you write on any average day?
As long as the muse demands. It varies from day to day, but usually about three hours.

Give us the number one reason to read the Angelkiller Triad.
Because it's a darned good story. Seriously, I believe Angelkiller and the books following explore a lot about the human condition, dealing with the most basic conflicts and how we are relying to our fascination and dependence on technology to solve them.


Author Info:
Website-Thran Keep
Facebook-H David Blalock
Blog-H David Blalock



Why do bad things happen to good people? Simple. In the ancient war between the Angels of Light and Darkness, the Dark won. Now it is the job of an undercover force simply known as The Army to rectify that.

Using every tool available, The Army has worked to liberate our world from The Enemy for thousands of years, slowly and painfully lifting Mankind out of the dark. On the front of the great Conflict are the Angelkillers, veterans of the
fight with centuries of experience.

Jonah Mason is an Angelkiller, and his cell is targeted as part of plot to unseat a very powerful Minion of The Enemy. Mason and his troop are drawn into a battle that stretches from real-time to virtual reality and back. The Conflict is about to expand into cyberspace, and if Mason is unable to stop it, The Enemy will have gained dominion over yet another realm.