"Isn't that a daisy?" - Robert Van Dusen
The Introduction
This is a new show - an interview styled program. I will be showcasing the good people on Minds - the creators and the bright lights. This will NOT be a podcast, but a well written BLOG to elevate the brightest channels on Minds. A positive reflection to showcase and promote the goodness of people and an open endorsement of the creators, authors, and artists on Minds.
This is the third of twelve interview style episodes called "Isn't that a Daisy?" This phrase originated from the film "Tombstone" and is quoted from the character Doc Holliday that was played by Val Kilmer. The term 'daisy' was often used towards anyone that provoked challenge towards him. Whether he was playing cards or battling in a gun fight it was a common term used during the 1870's and used several times in the movie.
A daisy is a plain, but pretty flower. The phrase itself meant 'marvelous' or the 'cream of the crop'. These interviews will showcase the 'cream of the crop' and the most marvelous channels on Minds.
Special Guest: Robert Van Dusen
The world of Minds holds many daisies. Beautiful creators, artists, and writers. This month I am showcasing a very talented and humble writer. You may know him on Minds as @robertvandusen. He is a writer of several genres, so let me introduce you to this Daisy. You should subscribe to his channel!
The Author & Artist
Robert Van Dusen is an author of no small standard. He has written multiple works that include fantasy and horror, and in different creative styles. This daisy also writes a style of books that is uncommon today, but something you may have read in younger years. Have you read a "Choice Your Own Adventure" book? Robert Van Dusen writes this type of books.
He mostly enjoys writing horror novels with zombies though some of his fantasy styled novels have horror elements. His two favorite writers are notable with international fame. You can be assured that you will read some wild tales when this author draws inspiration from the imaginations of H.P. Lovecraft (Cthulhu) and Robert E. Howard (Conan the Barbarian).
On the other hand, he also has been inspired by Stephen King, but not in the way most writers are inspired. Robert Van Dusen was a huge Stephen King fan until the conclusion of "The Dark Tower" series where King basically flipped the bird to all his fans. He took the negativity that Stephen King extended to his fans and vowed never to be like that guy. This is Robert Van Dusen's quote: " So, when I actually started seriously writing I said to myself 'You're never, ever going to intentionally do that to your audience. You're not going to insult them. You won't be rude to them. Never, no matter what.' That is the words of a good author.
His Credo
Robert Van Dusen writes and creates worlds for those that desire to escape from the stresses and anxieties of the world. He does this by creating stories and enticing readers to embrace escapism. We all seek entertainment in some form and for many people a good story from a fictional writer's perspective provides a moment of reprieve from the stresses of day-to-day.
As an author he understands that his audience is diverse, so he tends not to discuss his personal beliefs, philosophies of life, or religious views in the public arena. He writes to only entertain and stays clear of most controversial discussions. While this is unusual for many writers today, he unwaveringly stands by this creed. Robert Van Dusen is quoted saying, "No politics. Just Escapism."
Robert Van Dusen has an exceptional personality and he encourages others. He is someone that is not self-focused, but an individual that uses his position and creativity to elevate others. My interactions with this man have always been positive and he is a very outgoing and a delightful person to know.
For example, he created a group activity for Friday nights for anyone that wants to participate. When he was in the Army, Robert Van Dusen would organize parties during Christmas time for the guys that were unable to go home for the holidays. He was originally inspired by a man named Joe Bob Briggs, who created shows dedicated to gathering and watching old horror films in the 90's.
Now on Friday nights, and exclusively through Minds chat, friends can join up and watch old school horror movies with Robert Van Dusen and a few others. The best way to join this group is for you to contact Robert Van Dusen privately and request an invite. This is his way of doing 'gatherings', so if you are in need of a good time, some laughter, and entertainment why not send him a message! This is a perfect event for anyone wanting to watch movies with good friends. Movie titles have included "Hellraiser" and "Subspecies".
The Q/A
As part of every interview, I ask questions and allow the guest to answer these questions. I will use their answers in writing the blog, but I will also include some of the questions and answers from their quotes by simply copy/pasting their responses. Some of it will be edited or paraphrased, but I will not deviate from the answers provided. These are a few of the questions that I asked Robert Van Dusen and his answers:
1. Look back to your earlier days as a writer. What was the first story you ever wrote? How old were you when you wrote it?
I'm actually really embarrassed when I think about the very first book that I published. This was about fifteen years ago (he is now in his early 40's). It was a Fantasy novel and it was terrible. I wrote it when I was working at a really crappy job. On top of trying to write a novel I was working sixty to eighty hours a week with wildly varying hours. Needless to say, trying to write on top of all that didn't work out well. Once I actually managed to get some sleep and read the novel, I was sick to my stomach. I was so out of my head from sleep deprivation that I don't think that there was a complete sentence in the entire book.
2. Are some of your writings too mature for all audiences? Which age level do your stories restrict?
I think that if most of my stories were movies, they would definitely be Rated R. I've always said that if you're being chased by a horde of zombies then you will use the F-bomb. I've never really felt all that compelled to include nudity or anything like that, but I'm not shy about the violence or swearing where it's appropriate. With that said, I rely on parents knowing their kids and paying attention to the media that they're consuming. If a parent thinks their kids can handle reading his stories, then by all means let them read!
3. We all have a background. Can you share a bit about your biography? Where are you from - originally (State or nation)? Has your place of origin ever influenced your writing?
I grew up in Upstate New York. I enlisted in the Army the first time when I was seventeen. I actually turned eighteen in Basic Training (and nobody knew about it). I was stationed out in Kansas as a Cannon Crewmember (I ended up running the ammunition section of my artillery crew). I came back, went to college and got a degree in Criminal Justice. I reenlisted in the Army Reserve as a Lateral Engineer (pouring concrete) when I was thirty though I mainly stayed around my area this time around. I'm also a big history nerd with an interest mainly in Medieval and Roman history. I actually modeled the world of my Fantasy stories on a mixture of the late Western Roman Empire and probably sometime around the fourteenth century England. A lot of my military background went into my Outbreak and Get Out Alive series. I changed some stuff, obviously, and I did a lot of research.
4. What brought you to Minds? How long have you been on Minds? What are Social Media platforms do you use? (List your social media links here)
I came to Minds mainly because I had been running an author's page on Facebook for years and I had slowly come to the conclusion that I had probably been shadow banned. I'd heard about Minds and started redirecting my efforts to Minds instead. I also set up a GETTR account though I don't post there nearly as much as I probably should.
5. Is your author name a pseudonym?
I use my real name. I started writing stories and books before people really needed to worry about the Cancel Culture - the proverbial 'Twelve Weirdos on Twitter' trying to destroy your life because you wrote something they didn't like. If I had to do it over again, I think I'd have come up with a pseudonym. It is too late for that now.
6. What is your style of drawing/creating images? Do you freelance your art or create images for other people?
I suppose that I mainly like the older style of comic books and the older style of promotional art from old Horror movies. For instance, I modeled the cover art for my vampire novella "The Night Shift" on the posters and lobby cards of the "Hammer Horror" Dracula movies from the 60s and 70s with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. I'd tell the artists that I have hired to do the pencils when I was working with them for the first time - 'No modern Marvel Approved body types!'. The women are supposed to look like attractive women and the men are supposed to look like they could actually kick some butt. However, I didn't have to explain that to the guy I hired the inks because he was an old-school & professional comic book artist. He also did the inks on the cover of "Get Out Alive" although I colored both pieces myself. I used to do all the ink and color myself, but I hurt my back in the Army and can no longer sit for long periods of time. I've been teaching myself how to do 3D rendering, so now I can just do the whole thing myself rather than spending weeks at a time going back and forth with a penciler. I even did a comic book of my own starring one of my characters from my Choose Your Own Adventure stories.
7. What is your advice to other aspiring authors?
If you've got something you want to write - write it. Make no mistake, if you're going to go independent, you're going to be a long process. It might be worth it given the current climate from Facebook, Twitter and Amazon - companies that will be against you unless you're one hundred percent behind pushing the approved "message". Even if you don't make any ideological or political statements, one day someone might find what you wrote fifteen years ago and cancel you. It might be better to self-publish. You won't have the advantages of having one of the big publishing houses behind you can that bring huge advertising budgets and armies of interns to write Amazon reviews. No critics in the mainstream media will likely be lining up around the block to write puff pieces about your book being stunning and brave. However, you won't have anyone telling you what you can or can't write. I am more than convinced that no publisher in their right mind would touch the likes of "Get Out Alive: Run for Your Life". Still, I thought it'd be a good story. I still wrote it!
You Can Find His Books HERE
The following links can take to where you can read his novels and Choose Your Own Adventure stories: Here's where his books live and his first comic is here. This is very convenient because all his books can be found on two websites. Enjoy!
Thank You, Robert Van Dusen
Thank you @robertvandusen for taking the time out of your busy schedule to participate in this interview. I want to wish you great success in whatever you write. Thank you for staying true to your fans. You are a daisy, my friend.
For my readers: Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this great man and his many creative works. Subscribe to @RobertVanDusen. You're a daisy if you do.
All rights reserved.
(All the images were provided by Robert Van Dusen. The images are his book covers from his various published works.)