Questions & Answers With D. S. Mitchell
Q & A With D. S. Mitchell
By David L. Shadrick
I had several advantages going for me when I called writer, author, editor, publisher, D. S. Mitchell to ask her for an interview. The first big advantage is that I have known Darlene Mitchell for nearly forty years, the second was I wanted to do a story about her. I hoped our long term friendship and my appeal to her vanity would seal the deal. So after a few hiccups we got together at her home in beautiful southern Oregon and I started asking questions. Here is the result of that interview.
David: When we first met you were an RN. How and when did you decide you wanted to abandon the bedpan for the ink pen?
Darlene: You’re funny. It wasn’t like that. I’ve been writing short stories and bad poetry since I was a young kid. I spent my school years in advanced creative writing classes, encouraged and mentored by a number of wonderful teachers along the way. But, so few writers find success that I chose a “reliable” career. Professional nursing was a sure paycheck, not a hope and a prayer. My mother said a hail Mary on that choice, thankful that the four years of college she paid for wouldn’t be wasted on a low paying unpredictable career as a writer.
David: Reality bites.
Darlene: I wouldn’t trade my days as an RN for anything, it was a fulfilling and rewarding career. I worked for a time at the VA. Hospital in Portland, OR. It was a great experience, serving those who had served our country. So, the answer is really about living long enough to have more than one career that you love and enjoy.
David: I see. How many books have you written?
Darlene: I don’t know.
David: What do you mean you don’t know how many books you’ve written?
Darlene: Well, I’ve written three books in the Spider series; I have about 600,000 words into a sci-fi series as yet unnamed and unedited. When serialized there should be four to six books. And then there is a book about a psych nurse and his mysterious and charismatic patient. Finally, I have a bundle of short stories about my uncle Norman and his struggle with dementia that I plan to put together into a book.
David: Wow. I didn’t realize that you had such a library of work.
Darlene: (laughing) I have only published one book as of this writing, two others are in formatting as we speak and should see birth in the next couple months.
Dave: Okay. But you have a website, so you write pretty much every day, is that right?
Darlene: I have two websites, one is for my book series, www.chasingthespider.com. On that site I’ve posted some sexy short stories and the entire first book of the Spider series. The second website is www.calamitypolitics.com. where I write political comment, discuss current events, and opine on health and wellness issues.
David: Who inspires you?
Darlene: Personally or as a writer?
David: Both, either.
Darlene: Personally, the lives of women who have overcome incredible odds fascinate and inspire me. Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale, AOC, and Oprah Winfrey are all incredibly inspiring. As a writer I would point to Carolyn Keene (and all of the writers who wrote under that name). The Nancy Drew Mysteries made me want to read. As I grew a bit older I loved Stephen King, Toni Morrison, Jane Austen.
David: Do you have writing rituals or habits?
Darlene: I have a bit of a compulsive personality. Before I sit down to write a word, I run around the house picking up the place, wash any dirty dishes, throw in a load of clothes. I cannot tolerate disorder. Once the surroundings are acceptable I go to my office and turn on the tunes and start writing. I like background noise when I write.
David: Do you write everyday?
Darlene: Yes and no.
David: Expand, please.
Darlene: Some days I wake up and I’m not in the mood to write, so I go shopping, go to lunch, take long drives, but even as I do those things, I am outlining story lines in my head. I usually write five or six days a week. Not all day, but for several hours each day. When I sit down to write I have a goal of 1,000 useable words per day. Sometimes I don’t reach the goal, other times I surpass it.
David: Do you ever get writer’s block?
Darlene: Not so far. I just keep writing. Some stuff is good and some not so good. But, that’s what editing is for.
David: You said you finished the spider series, what are you working on now?
Darlene: I’m writing a new series with a great new heroine. It will probably be a three book series.
David: There’s a lot of sexy material in the spider series. Is that a theme that you intend to continue?
Darlene: It’s all in good fun. Sexuality is an important part of our lives. So, I think I will continue to write about it.
David: Graphically?
Darlene: Totally.
David: What about politics? Do you have any hope for our splintered country?
Darlene: I’m worried. I don’t deny it. The unveiled white supremacy, the mass killings, a corrupt SCOTUS; democracy seems to be hanging on by a thread. My real hope is with the young people. David Hogg, AOC, Maxwell Frost, Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg it will soon be in their hands.
David: Give me a hug. Thank you. I appreciate you spending time answering my questions.
Darlene: Thanks for asking.