Chicago Area, Illinois
USA
Award-winning author, Dennis Higgins is a distant relative of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. He has traveled the world over, collecting story ideas. As a native of Chicago, Illinois, Dennis Higgins has a passion for things that are gone but not forgotten, a romance with the past. For him, time travel is the answer. If not for real, then in the pages of his books. He now lives in the Chicago suburbs with his lovely wife, and their Lhasa Poo dog, Dom Perignon.
Good morning, Dennis, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the site for art and authors and those who love them. Can you tell us a little about what you've written?
First off, thanks for having me today. I have 12 published releases; however, I recently combined my trilogy into an omnibus.
Pennies From Across the Veil, Parallel Roads (Lost on Route 66), the Time Pilgrim series: (Katya and Cyrus, Almost Yesterday, and Tomorrow's Borrowed Trouble), Steampunk Alice, The Old Scrapbook, The Writer’s Apprentice, Christmas Returns to Pottersville, Confessions of an Internet Scammer, Goes to Eleven, and The Automated Wife.
Wow, that's quite a list! What is your favorite genre to write?
I write a lot of time travel, with a fondness for romance and a touch of the paranormal.
Favorite food.
Pizza. (I live in the Chicago area. )
Tea or coffee?
I need my coffee.
Pizza or ice cream?
Yes please, but really it’s Pizza.
That's right, you're from Chicago. Wine or beer?
It depends. I love a good wine with a great meal. But I drink beer with my buddies. I never drink alone.
Where would you like to visit?
I am 58% Irish. (I did 23andMe) I have been to England, but never to Ireland. I would like to experience it someday.
Favorite musical artist.
I have to say The Beatles. Although I like a lot of different types of music and artists. The Beatles have always been a part of my life.
What?
I like to put on John Barry’s musical scores. He composed the music for some of my favorite films, including two time-travel movies, Somewhere in Time and Peggy Sue got Married. His music is melancholy, and sometimes that’s the mood I’m going for.
What makes you laugh?
Literally anything from my buddies at work, funny Facebook memes, TV shows, and movies. I can also laugh at myself.
Favorite work of art or sculpture.
Pietà by Michelangelo, especially when you know the history.
How old were you when you started writing?
I wrote great book reports and stories in grade school, but I only started writing professionally as an adult in 2010. (You good people don’t need to know my age, LOL!)
Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
I just write. Sometimes where the story goes surprises me. I might have an idea of an ending, but I never know the exact end until it comes.
For many years, I had never experienced it. But afterward, I did, and I just wait it out. Writing comes from mood, and mood change, even for us men.
Describe your perfect evening.
I’m not sure why I struggled with this question. There’s that writer’s block, I guess. I guess because these days I use evenings to rest. I get up at 3:00 am to do my writing and related work (such as doing this interview). Then I go do my day job. The perfect evening is a Friday night, sitting with my wife, eating a good Chicago style (thin crust) pizza, and knowing I can be at my writing for longer the next day.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Books, movies, life itself. As my profile says, I have traveled a lot, and I tend to soak up and bring a piece of all those visited places with me when I leave.
Who is your favorite author?
Without a doubt, Richard Matheson, from his early Twilight Zones to the beautiful Somewhere in Time and What Dreams May Come. I am Facebook friends with his daughter, Ali.
Best book you ever read.
I haven’t stopped talking about it. Somewhere in Time, originally titled, Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson.
Last book you read.
What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
Retire, which is nearing. But truthfully, I’ve always wanted to be a Broadway actor, preferably a musical. Sometimes I sing show tunes to myself. Lol!
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
I don’t have just one. My grandmother influenced my religion, my mother was an avid reader and gave me a love and respect for books, my dad was a hard worker who never missed going to the office. My wife is the kindest person I ever met. See? Too many.
Consider yourself blessed, Dennis. Some of the people I interview cannot come up with ONE! If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
I’ve been asked this before. My answer changes, but since the question has the word ONE capitalized, I will say today I’d like to sit and talk with George Harrison of The Beatles, just to ask him about the early days of being kids and plunged into instant and massive fame.
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
My advice would be to try to tell the story. Be a good storyteller. Don’t worry about construction, grammar, or style. That comes later. Get the story down on (proverbial) paper.
Do you have some links for us to follow you?
https://www.facebook.com/Dennis-Higgins-Author-162823450485698/
Website:
http://www.timepilgrims.com/time-pilgrims-home.html
Blog:
http://www.timepilgrims.com/blog
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dennis-Higgins/e/B00BAE6LSK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759879.Dennis_Higgins
Dennis Higgins (@dennis.higgins) • Instagram photos and videos
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Thank you for having me, Carol. This was a lot of fun.
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