Ask the Author: Don Keith
Answered Questions (12)
Don Keith
Simple. In the early 1960s, body parts started showing up in the area of Central Alabama where I lived...I was a pre-teen then. Police assumed it was a moonshiner war. Many believed it was the beginning of the race war, as many in the KKK (and government) had predicted. Turned out to be a scorned woman who murdered her boyfriend and his brother, chopped them up with her daddy's axe, and scattered the parts all over. I've done a lot of research and still plan to write a book and/or screenplay on the incident. Lots of interesting side stories and local color!
Don Keith
Jeff, thanks for giving me the opportunity to address this discrepancy, which has cropped up on several venues. The conversion from knots to MPH was correct in my original manuscript. 35 to 38 knots is around 40 mph. However, somewhere in the editing process--which included not only the main editor but also a line editor, whose job it is to look for mistakes--the MPH number got changed and then overlooked. Other editors, several other people who read the galley proof, and I all missed the mistake during the approval process. I apologize for the error creeping in and should there be future editions of the book, it will be corrected. Thank you again for the question and I hope you enjoyed the book otherwise. -- Don Keith
Don Keith
The creature was still coming, so close he could smell its kerosene breath and its most recent victim's blood on its twisted, yellow fangs. He pulled the trigger but the empty click confirmed in an awful half-second that the gun's chambers were now utterly, hopelessly empty.
Don Keith
Tough question! Especially if I am only allowed one answer. But I would pick, I think, World War II with the opportunity to speak with Winston Churchill, FDR, and other key players to talk about their reactions, thoughts, and aspirations.
Don Keith
Several books that I am using as sources for another WWII historical nonfiction book I am currently writing. But also "A Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler. This fine book is helping me with my new efforts in writing screenplays for several of my books that have gotten movie interest.
Don Keith
Why Huck and Tom, of course! Remarkable friendship between two disparate individuals.
Don Keith
This one actually came from my non-fiction literary agent. He asked me if I had ever considered doing a book on the USS Neosho. I said, "Who?" He told me it was a tanker, a blue-collar ship, not a more exciting vessel like a battleship or carrier. She was mistaken for one of our carriers by a Japanese scout plane pilot. The Japanese admiral sent everything he had to attack her, thus altering the course of the Battle of the Coral Sea. Though on fire and sinking, the crew managed to keep the tanker afloat for four days until rescue finally came. Another 150 men from the ship ended up on rafts and floated away. Only four of them were rescued nine days later. It is a remarkable story of bravery and tenacity and I hope I told it well. It is called "The Ship that Wouldn't Die."
Don Keith
Wake up in the morning! I literally have multiple ideas for books every day. Sometimes I let them all get in the way of settling on one and getting going on it. So many stories to tell and so many interesting characters I want to introduce to you, the reader, that I have no trouble getting inspired.
Don Keith
As of right now, I have a new book coming in two weeks (April 7, 2015) and am looking for just the right story to tell...not only a great, true story but one that will get my editor excited. I also have a young adult novel swirling around in my head that I really, really want to get down.
Don Keith
It's almost a cliche, but my advice is to WRITE! I hear so many who want to write but are always beginning to think about getting ready to start to commence to do that novel or non-fiction book. Do it! Quite thinking about it!
Don Keith
Being able to share stories with others. I especially love telling tales of average people placed in unusual situations who do remarkable things. Then, when I hear from readers who "get it," that makes it all worthwhile.
Don Keith
Never an issue for me! The best thing for me is to just power through it and write something. Often, I get caught up and before I know it, I've got something I can keep and expand upon.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more