David is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He’s interested in plant population and community ecology, so much so that he wrote a book. He’s also former Senior Editor of Journal of Ecology, and Editor-in-Chief pf Oxford Bibliographies in Ecology. He has a lovely family, enjoys keeping fit, travelling around Europe and drinking Cappuccino.
1. What are you currently working on, and can you tell us a bit about it?
I’m currently working on two books: A non-fiction academic book “The Routledge Handbook of Grasslands” that I’m coediting with two colleagues. This will be a 40-chapter compilation covering all aspects of the global grassland biome. We have commissioned a worldwide team of experts to write the chapters. It is due out next year. The second book I’m working on is “Elite Memories,” my debut fiction novel. This novel is a sci-fi, dystopian novel inspired by classics such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Animal Farm.”
2. Which part of the writing process do you find the most difficult?
I’m used to writing non-fiction which takes a good topic and hard graft to research and summarize. Fiction is proving much harder for me than non-fiction as I learn the craft. In particular, the start and finish of a novel is difficult as I try to hook the reader and then wrap things up.
3. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Probably my science background. I like to think about what science can do, and what it might be able to do for us in the future. I think that’s what inspired me to write my true crime book, Planting Clues: How Plants Solve Crimes. For inspiration all writers should read Eric Maisel’s 2005 short book, “A Writer’s Paris: A Guided Journey for the Creative Soul.
4. How do you make time to write around your other commitments?
I don’t! I need to work on this now I’m retired.
5. What do you need in your writing space?
Isolation. And, being surrounded by books to help me feel that I’m part of something. Jazz in the background helps. But I do love going to coffee shops to pretend to write.
6. What advice would you give to other writers?
Just write. Getting words down is half the battle. You can edit later. I should say disconnect from the internet to improve focus, but I’m not a good role model for that.
7. If a writer only has enough in the budget to pay for one service, which would you recommend they spend it on? (i.e. marketing, proof-reading etc)
If you’re an indie writer as I think I’ll be with my novel, then proof-reading is key and an expense that I’ll be shelling out on. The text has to be as close to perfect as possible as readers don’t forgive grammatical or spelling errors.
8. Which book do you wish you’d written?
Darwin’s Origin of Species. As for fiction, I’d love to have written Richard Powers’ magnificent The Overstory. The list goes on.
9. What are common traps for new writers?
Apparently, I have a problem falling into the trap of info-dumping, probably because of my non-fiction background.
10. Besides writing, do you have any other talents or hobbies?
I don’t know about talents, but my hobbies include exercise (currently swimming, bike riding, and going to the gym), travel to Europe, and drinking good cappuccino.
11. How do you develop your characters? Are any of them based on people you know?
They develop themselves as I go along. I have a rough idea of what they are going to contribute to the story, but their personality emerges as I write.
12. If you could be on your own little writer’s retreat, where would it be, and would you take anybody else with you?
In a cottage with a view from my desk overlooking the sea. I don’t care if it rains or shines. I’d take my wife, kids, and grandkids with me (so long as they gave me time to write). In fact, we hope to do just this later this year. Or a garret in Paris for a month also sounds ideal although my daughter tried that and had a great time accomplishing a lot but didn’t get her book finished.
To keep up-to-date with David’s work, visit the links below:
Website: Home | gibson (djgibson2.wixsite.com)
Twitter: @DavidJohnGibson
LinkedIn: David Gibson – Senior Scientist – Creekbank Associates | LinkedIn
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