Hey everyone!
Welcome to another post from the Writers’ Corner! Today we will be hearing from David Kummer (author of Home) about his writing inspiration, experience as a self-published writer and tips for new and aspiring writers!
1. If you could pick your 5 favorite books of all time, which would you choose?
Very hard to limit to 5 books. I’m gonna slightly adapt this to say 5 books/series. Mainly because the Harry Potter series is definitely top 5, but there are 7 books. Also, I would say Follow You Home by Mark Edwards is one of my favorites. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini is another favorite, with books like Eragon really being a formative part of my love for reading. Fourth, I would include Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. And lastly, but mostly, The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters is my favorite book of all time, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, since I just read it for the first time a few months ago.
2. Which author(s) would you describe your writing style to be similar to?
I think the author that I try to emulate the most is Mark Edwards, because his stories are very character-driven and have tight plots. However, most of my recent books have a certain dreamlike quality to them, where the world isn’t what it seems and often times there is a deeper meaning.
3. Which genre do you write in? Why do you enjoy this genre?
I started off writing a lot of horror. Recently, I’ve shifted to more dystopian works, with a lot of mystery and suspense, but not so many scares. I also dabble in fantasy and have a years-long project that might see the light of day in 2020.
4. Tell us about your novel, “Home.” What inspired this novel idea?
Home is a novel that I wrote after my grandpa died in the winter of 2018. He was a father figure to me for the last few years of his life, after my own dad left, and so his loss was very impactful. I was also going through my senior year of high school and searching for answers in that regard. I think writing Home was very important for me, and I learned a lot through the process. The characters in the book represent my own searching for answers and meaning. I like to think that by writing it I can help others who are searching, and that they’ll find some solace in the story, like I did.
5. Is your novel traditionally published or self-published? Tell us about your experience!
All of my novels are self-published. Eventually, I’d love to get traditionally published, and I may go that route with the next book. We’ll see. I’ve done a lot of research into self-publishing, and with each book launch I gain a few more fans, so it’s very exciting.
6. Any tips for new and aspiring writers?
I would say that if you are a new writer or an aspiring writer, you have to focus on the work. By that, I mean write something that you love. And then get it edited. And then make it better. But start with something you love, because otherwise you aren’t gonna enjoy the journey.
About “Home”
The wilderness shows no mercy.
Some say nobody ever comes back from Home. Others say they can’t.
This is a story of love, the lost, and the hunted.
On a journey to nowhere, an escape from the past, four travelers must confront the harsh realities of their chosen path. The terrain is treacherous; the supplies are low. But turning back was never an option. Only death is behind.
Someone is following.
Others have tried this route. Many have gone; none have returned. Their only salvation, their only hope, lies at the end. But the end of the journey is not what it seems. Nothing is.
About the Writer
My name is David Kummer, and I live in Madison, Indiana, a small town on the Ohio River. There’s lots of history and creepy places, which have influenced my writings. In my book SHE, most of the places and buildings are based off similar settings here in my home town, although I’ve changed them so you won’t know which ones exactly (if you don’t ask).
I would love to get to know you better, so email me at davidkummer7 [at] gmail.com or check out my blog at davidkummer.com. I’m always glad to give out review copies (always most of the time), but love it even more if you pick up a copy to buy. They’re all cheap. Reviews are super appreciated.
Photo by Griffin Wooldridge on Unsplash
SOPHIE LI 
Leave a Reply