For Mike Davis, retirement was the perfect opportunity to follow his passion – becoming an author.
Since 18 years of age, Mike Davis knew he wanted to be a writer. But it wasn’t until retirement that he began to fulfill his dream.
Davis worked various jobs in the intelligence sector before officially retiring five years ago. He remained active – hunting, taking care of his farm and lake home and babysitting his granddaughter – but also wanted to try his hand at the passion he had been putting off. The journey to where he is now certainly had its share of ups and downs.
“The success rate (for getting published) is very slim,” he says. “I gave myself two years; 22 months in, I finally got ‘the call.’”
His first book, “Tainted Heroes” was published in 2007, receiving great reviews. And his second, “Forgotten Children,” earned second place for Best Romantic Thriller of 2008 from Predators & Editors. Now, Davis has 20 books under his belt, ranging in genres from political thrillers and sci-fi to mystery and romantic suspense, and has won numerous awards for his work.
If he’s sitting at home, he’s most likely writing. His favorite spot to write?
“My man cave while listening to new age or light jazz music,” he says.Davis’ storylines most often come to him in dreams. Others stem from things he sees or hears on the news. For him, understanding the human condition is key to being a good writer.
“I think you have to have life under your belt and to have seen things like pain, suffering, sorrow,” he says.
To start a book, he doesn’t begin with creating characters. Instead, he comes up with a theme, then molds the characters around that idea. Thanks to his career, Davis has a knack for patterns and connecting dots, which he is able to do in his books.
If he could only write one genre for the rest of his life, Davis says he would choose romantic suspense. This may sound strange coming from a man, he says, but he’s a sucker for the bond between a man and woman, and isn’t afraid to share his feelings.
“I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to write,” he says. “I’m not one that makes $8 million a year on my books; it’s become clear that I write for the writing, not the money.”
He enjoys reading reviews and meeting fans as well.“I put a lot of heart and soul into my stories, so it’s nice to see people excited about reading my books,” he says.
Davis says that after a while, he goes back and reads his own books. Why?
“The characters, they aren’t just creations in my head; they become my friends,” he says. “And that’s my way to go back and revisit my friends.”For more information on Davis’ books and where to purchase them, visit davisstories.com.
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