D.J. Maughan Interview Published on: 16, Aug 2023
Where did you grow up? What is your favorite place in your hometown?
Kaysville, Utah. My favorite place is the home I grew up in. Great memories there.
As an avid reader, what inspired your love for books, and how has reading influenced your life and writing style?My parents are avid readers and encouraged me to read from a very young age. I don't think you can write without reading regularly. Although I write in the crime/mystery genre, I love to read a wide range of genres and styles. I continue to learn from each.
Have you ever been moved to tears by a story that someone else wrote? If so, what was it called, and what was it about?I remember as a kid, my father read a story to the family that made me cry. I don't remember the name of the book, but I remember it containing a bullying scene. I ached for the kid being bullied.
What advice do you have for others who aspire to pursue their diverse interests simultaneously?Don't spread yourself too thin. I have a tendency to be impatient, and it's cost me money and happiness. Patience is more than a virtue. Do what you enjoy. Find ways to make it work for you but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Celebrate the victories.
As an event manager, how do you balance your professional responsibilities with your passion for writing?My job is demanding. Sometimes things pop up that I can't control. They frustrate me. Writing is fun. It's something I have a high degree of control over. I can determine how much I write and what I write about. That isn't always the case in a job. Writing has become a creative outlet for me. I'm always amazed at what comes out when I sit down to write.
Can you share with us the inspiration behind your latest novel, "Vanished from Budapest"? What compelled you to write this particular story, and what themes does it explore?Driving home from work one day, I had this idea for a novel. For a couple of years, it continued to rattle around in my head. Finally, I wrote it. It's a psychological thriller about an American graduate student who goes to Budapest, Hungary, and falls in love with a fellow student. She promptly disappears, and he's desperate to find her but needs help. I couldn't stop thinking about the story until I wrote it. I think it has a unique storyline.
In "Vanished from Budapest," what challenges did you face while crafting the intricate plot and multidimensional characters?Originally I wrote the book in the third person, past tense. The feedback for beta readers told me it was lacking a sense of urgency, and the characters seemed distant. I changed it to first person, present tense for all chapters except Peter, the protagonist and main character. I got the idea from a book I had read in the past. The difficult part is switching writing styles from chapter to chapter. It's worked, and I've carried that format through the rest of the series.
Your novel takes place in Budapest. How did the city's rich history and unique atmosphere influence the narrative?I've had people tell me they believe Budapest is a character in the book. They love my descriptions of the city. Anyone who reads it can feel my love for the city. I lived there for a couple of years and feel a closeness to Hungary and the Hungarian people. The city changed me and made me the man I am today.
What message or emotion do you hope readers will take away from "Vanished from Budapest"? Is there a particular impact or response you aim to evoke?In 2016 I read an article about missing children in Hungary. Thousands had gone missing, and nobody was talking about it. It impacted me. I thought about it a lot. Vanished From Budapest is the first in a series of five books. Peter, my detective, works to uncover and eliminate the human trafficking taking place in the city of Budapest. Trafficking is a plague in our world. I hope my books can shine a light on the problem and increase awareness.
As a multi-talented individual, how do you find balance between your different roles and passions?I don't know that I do. I can be an obsessive person. Once I get something in my head, I go after it. It consumes me. Experience has taught me to be more patient. Setting reasonable goals and expectations and then allowing myself to see them through has been most helpful.
As a public speaker, how do you draw on your experiences as an author and incorporate them into your speeches?People love to be entertained. We crave it. As a writer, I tell stories. I use stories in my public speaking to connect with my audience.
Being a father is a significant role in your life. How has parenthood impacted your writing journey, and did it shape the themes or characters in your novel?Being a father and husband is more important than any other role I have. I've always encouraged my boys to chase their dreams. Writing is my dream. I wouldn't be a very good example to them if I didn't pursue it.
How has your event management experience influenced your storytelling skills?It gives me a great opportunity to interact with people. Most fiction writers draw on personal experience in their writing. Characters in my books have idiosyncracies I've witnessed in people at my job.
Looking ahead, what can readers expect from you in the future? Are there any upcoming projects or themes you are excited to explore in your writing?I'm currently writing book four in the Vanished Series. The series will span five books. I plan to finish it in 2024. After that, I have thirteen other book ideas. I'm not sure which one I will pursue, but I have a feeling it will be a historical mystery.
Was it all too easy for you – the writing, the publication, and the sales? How has been your experience working with AllAuthor?Nothing about writing, publishing, and marketing has been easy. Somedays, I feel like a failure. Somedays, I feel optimistic and blessed. Finding your readers and convincing them to buy your book is the most difficult part. I enjoy the writing the most and the marketing the least. Finding services like Allauthor to help is paramount.
