Author Interview: D. L. Holmes

1. What’s something interesting about you that most people don’t know?

I have a soft spot for off beat romantic comedies.

​2. What got you into writing? Was there a particular life event that inspired you to write?

I’ve always had a love for storytelling, going back to elementary school when we would take turns reading in class. I used to love adding bits to classic Grimm’s Fairy Tales and challenging myself to see characters from different perspectives. I used to also draw pictures of monsters I hadn’t seen that I thought would be cool, and then one day, I just started writing about them.

3. What is your writing routine? 

Once I have a title and the world starts to form in my head, I typically will make a playlist for my projects, and sometimes a Pinterest board just to help flesh out some visuals, and then I’ll get to typing. 

4. Do you self publish, traditionally publish, or both? Why do you choose those methods? 

I self publish. It was the first avenue that was presented to me, and I love having the responsibility and interaction with my market being solely in my hands. 

5. Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

Poppy Z. Brite, Clive Barker, Francesca Lia Block, H.P. Lovecraft. All of them incited a sense of wonder in me about the strange, the bizarre, the unearthly, and made me feel a little less alone in the world. Something I hope to accomplish with my readers with my own writing.

6. Can you remember a time that a book made you cry or frightened you so much you had to put it down? Which book and what scene?

I cried while reading “Wasteland” by Francesca Lia Block because I really felt the characters in the book, and it was so indicative to me and my first love in my youth.

 7. What are some lessons you’ve learned as a writer in terms of writing process, routine, publishing, etc?

Keep writing. You are your own audience and toughest critique. When it becomes work, walk away, until it becomes fun again.

8. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Don’t second guess yourself, and believe in your stories as if they were tales told to you to be preserved through the ages, regardless of genre or merit.

9. If you could meet one author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Clive Barker, but I think I would mostly be saying “thank you.” I would ask what medium he enjoys visually more, painting or sketching, when it comes to designing his characters.

10. In your opinion, what are the most important elements of good writing?

Passion, good and consistent character development, and a believable world that suspends your disbelief.

11. Where can readers purchase your books?

All of my work is available on Amazon.

12. Where can readers find out more about you and your writing?

I am fairly active on Goodreads and am also on Instagram under @d.l.holmes.


D. L. Holmes is a self published co-author of Seemingly Strange and Unusual Tales, and More Seemingly Strange and Unusual Tales, as well as the author of "Stranded". Residing in Northern Louisiana, he has secured his degree, a Masters of Fine Arts, from Full Sail University. He is a writer of horror and science fiction.​


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Written by Sterp