Category Archives: Blog

Miss Matisse Interview- With Published Author Digger Cartwright Question 1

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Miss Matisse: Hello Digger, so…first things first, what an awesome name you have! Would you mind telling our readers a little about yourself and how you became a writer?

Digger Cartwright: I’m a businessman and entrepreneur first, and in the process of starting and running businesses I’ve had to do a great deal of writing over the years. Predominantly, it’s been in the form of business plans or research reports or articles for trade publications. Over the years I also did a lot of letter writing to politicians to give my commentaries on issues effecting America, business or the economy. I’ve done a lot of writing of commentaries for think tanks, like ThinkingOutsideTheBoxe.com, but it’s more along the lines of presenting a case and offering interpretations and solutions.

I think what really got me started writing was that I didn’t like the ending of a particular book so I set about to write the ending that I liked. There were some short stories along the way and teleplays before I decided to make the plunge into my first novel. I actually wrote The Versailles Conspiracy first as a quasi screenplay/novel. After that I didn’t do much for a couple of years until I got the idea for Murder at the Ocean Forest, which became the first novel I actually published.

I’ve always been very creative, ever since I was a child, and I’ve liked to be the storyteller at times, so perhaps there’s always been the writer in me. I’ve always been an avid reader, so there has always been part of me that said I can do that or I can write a better story than that. Some say I have a flair for dramatics. So overall, writing is a good fit for me. I’ll let the readers be the judge of that.

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JP: What sets “Conversations on the Bench” apart from other books in the same genre?

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DC: I think most other inspirational books tell one person’s story and how they overcame some adversity in life. “Conversations on the Bench” is a collection of life lessons told through a series of conversations that Sebastian had with Robbie. It’s an older brother-like figure sharing wisdom that he’s gained throughout his life and through his own experiences.

This isn’t the story of someone who had a hard life or had to fight some disease or overcome a debilitating injury. Unless you fought the same disease or had the same injury or a similar circumstance, it’s hard to relate to that person. It’s great to read their stories and you get a sense of satisfaction that if they overcame adversity so can you.

“Conversations on the Bench” has some lesson or some bit of insight that everyone can use. Not every lesson or every bit of wisdom may be relevant to the reader, but everyone can find something in the book to relate to. I’ve been told by readers that they feel like the book is speaking directly to them, and I think that’s what’s really important and what sets it apart from other motivational or inspirational books.

http://joeypinkney.com/5-minutes-5-questions-with/5-minutes-5-questions-with-digger-cartwright-author-of-conversations-on-the-bench.php

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JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to “Conversations on the Bench” getting out to the public?

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DC: It’s all about creating awareness of your book. There’s something like two million books getting published each year either in print or digital format, so it’s real easy to get lost among the sea of new works out there. My team has established a good following among our readers and fans via social media and traditional online outlets.

You just have to get the book in front of people, get it in their hands. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. With “Conversations on the Bench”, the book has something for everyone. It doesn’t matter your age or gender or religion or education or position in life or how much money you have.

There’s something in “Conversations on the Bench” that each person who reads it can relate to or take away from it. This book probably has a broader appeal to people for that very reason than perhaps my mystery novels, so “Conversations on the Bench” is simply appealing to the motivational or inspirational need in people’s lives and encouraging them to pick it up and see if Sebastian’s wisdom helps them.

When it comes to other books, like my mystery “Murder at the Ocean Forest” or my western “The Maynwarings” for example, success is largely a function of building a presence, awareness, and reputation. Anyone can write a book. That doesn’t mean that it’s good or commercially marketable, but just about anyone can write a book if they take the time and inclination.

Fewer people are going to write a second book or a third or a fourth and so on. I think the more you write the more credibility as a serious indie author that you gain. I think that plays a big role in making an indie book successful, as it gives readers and fans a sort of stability and confidence in your writing endeavors. And you’ve got to communicate with your readers and fans, make them aware of your books and keep your name in front of them. Social media and the online world make that a lot easier.

http://joeypinkney.com/5-minutes-5-questions-with/5-minutes-5-questions-with-digger-cartwright-author-of-conversations-on-the-bench.php

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JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish “Conversations on the Bench”?

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DC: “Conversations on the Bench” was a bit of a different writing process for me. Basically when I start a fiction novel, I first make some notes about what I want to happen and who I want the characters to be. I formulate the story and create an outline of sorts as a guide for the story. Then, I just start writing.

Since “Conversations on the Bench” was based on real people and actual events, I had to take a bit of a different approach. It took me a while to get comfortable with the idea of the project, since it represented a departure from my normal style and genre.

I only met Sebastian and Robbie on one occasion before I started writing the book. Granted, that one occasion involved interaction over a couple days, but that was hardly enough to be familiar with either of them to be able to write the book.

So, after I had committed to writing this, I had many phone conversations and some e-mail exchanges with Robbie. This was a lot of research that needed to be done so that I could capture Sebastian and his lessons in the book. I’d call Robbie and let him talk for as long as he wanted to talk. He’d tell me stories and explain the lessons and in what context Sebastian had made the lessons relevant to him. This part of the process took the longest.

It probably took three or four years off and on. I’d get sidetracked or Robbie would get sidetracked, and sometime it would be tough to connect and talk. But once I got all the information I needed, I sat down to write the book and pretty much took the same approach as with any other book.

I had a good deal of notes about the main characters, so I didn’t have to create them out of nothing. I sorted through all the notes and organized them then made an outline of what I thought would be the best way to present the conversations and lessons. Once I started writing it took me about seven months to finish the manuscript.

All told it was a much lengthier process from start to finish than what is normal for me. “Murder at the Ocean Forest” took me about three months to write. “The Versailles Conspiracy” took a couple of years. “The House of Dark Shadows” and “The Maynwarings” took about seven months each. “Conversations on the Bench” was a much bigger project. It took a lot longer. I don’t rush things, because I don’t want to release a book that isn’t exactly up to my own personal standards, and I think the readers and fans appreciate that.

http://joeypinkney.com/5-minutes-5-questions-with/5-minutes-5-questions-with-digger-cartwright-author-of-conversations-on-the-bench.php

JP: What’s next for Digger Cartwright?

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DC: I’ve been getting a lot of encouragement on the heels of “Conversations on the Bench” to write another inspirational book. Folks that have read it have really enjoyed it and said the book really spoke to them. I’m not sure if that’s a function of my storytelling or of Sebastian’s storytelling and wisdom.

I don’t know what the follow up or next inspirational subject would be. I’ve thought about it long and hard. If I were to do another motivational book it would probably be called “Conversations on the Links” and would revolve around conversations I’ve had with people that I’ve golfed with over the years.

As I think about it, there have been some pretty good conversations on the golf course, and I’ve been lucky to be part of those with both friends and colleagues. I’m not sure it would be as moving as “Conversations on the Bench” or as meaningful, but it’s a consideration.

I’m currently working on a drama entitled “Gems & Jewels”. It’s about a powerful family that owns mining operations for precious stones and the associate retailing enterprise. It’s sort of a modern-day Dallas or Dynasty but in a different industry. It has the family drama, business drama, backstabbing, wheeling and dealing, sex and intrigue. It’s also a bit of a departure from my normal writing, but it’s going to be an interesting series.

I have plans for follow ups to “The Versailles Conspiracy” and “Murder at the Ocean Forest” and a sequel for “The Maynwarings” in addition to several new ideas that I’m working on. So, I’ve got a lot in the works, but time for writing is a premium between everyday life and business. But I think my readers will really enjoy some of the upcoming projects.

http://joeypinkney.com/5-minutes-5-questions-with/5-minutes-5-questions-with-digger-cartwright-author-of-conversations-on-the-bench.php

A collaboration between Digger Cartwright and Thinking Outside The Boxe: What are your thoughts on the partial government shutdown and the situation in Washington?

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Anyone who knows me or who has read some of my comments and posts will know that I have tremendous disdain for the politicians in Washington and the dysfunctional way they behave.  They’re like a bunch of little kids arguing on the playground.  I think they forget that they’re there to do the work of the American citizens and taxpayers who elected them to serve us.  Unfortunately, it’s got to the point that they’re just looking out for themselves.  They’ve created this entire political elite class who live in the increasingly isolated world of Washington where everything is OK.  They don’t know what it’s like back in their constituencies and the problems that the people face every day.  It’s like going to Disney World and escaping from reality for the day, except Washington is permanently detached from reality.

The government shutdown is a non-issue.  This is just a little political game that the Congress and the President play every so often.  The media acts like this is the end of the world and the partial shutdown is unprecedented.  What they fail to tell everyone is that we’ve had seventeen shutdowns since 1976.  And sadly, they aren’t asking the basic question:  if the 800,000 federal workers furloughed were deemed “non-essential,” then by the very definition of “non-essential” why do we need them in government in the first place?  Isn’t this just evidence that the federal government has become bloated with bureaucrats and could use some slimming down?  I would really like people and particularly the media to start talking about this and maybe we can actually cut the size of government and make it more efficient.  You know, during the recession and financial crisis, a lot of companies trimmed their payrolls and made their organizations more efficient.  Did Uncle Sam do this?  No.  How can anyone object to saving the taxpayers’ money by making the federal government more efficient?

Very few people actually get hurt in the partial government shutdown.  This isn’t like private industry where when the factory shutdowns for a month because the company doesn’t have any money the workers go home and don’t get paid.  With the partial government shutdown, the federal workers who are furloughed end up getting their back pay, so effectively the taxpayers have given them a couple weeks paid vacation.  It may be a bit of an inconvenience for a small number of people who are relying on certain government departments or agencies for approval or paperwork.  And of course, the media likes to show the pictures of the people standing outside the gates of the national parks or museums, looking sad.  That really gets to some people and makes them feel terrible about this whole thing.  However, the majority of the people in this country haven’t even noticed the shutdown or felt the effects of the shutdown.  Welfare checks have gone out.  Social Security checks have gone out.  People are still able to go to the doctor or get their mail or fill up their gas tanks and get on the road.  Las Vegas, Disney World, and the beaches are booming with tourists.  The reality is that people who aren’t directly affected by the shutdown don’t really care about the shutdown.

This is about leadership.  Someone needs to step up to the plate and work things out, and that’s the President’s job.  Good leaders bring the parties together, listen to what both sides have to say and then help bridge the gap between the two through compromise.  Sadly, that’s not how this is working out.  A lot of people are saying the shutdown shows that our government has failed.  Actually, the system is working; it’s just the players are dysfunctional.  Our Founding Fathers gave control of the federal government’s finance to the Congress.  There are some who think the President should be able to spend whatever he wants whenever he wants.  That’s not how it works in this country.  This isn’t a monarchy.  Our Founding Fathers vested the power of budgeting the federal government with the Congress for the very purpose of preventing a monarchy or dictatorship.  The House and Senate haven’t been able to agree on a budget deal, so we have the partial government shutdown.  This is where the President should step in and broker a deal between the two sides.  It’s called compromise.  Everyone has to give up a little bit of what they want and find a middle ground.  It’s just give and take, but that’s a concept this President doesn’t like.  He wants everything his way.  The Democratic leadership in the Senate wants everything their way, and the Republicans in the House want everything their way.  Until someone gives a little, the government is going to stay shutdown.

What tips do you have for young aspiring writers? Interview by learnfreemarketing

Posted by diggercartwright on

Writing takes a lot of hard work, patience, and dedication. Most of the time, writing is a labor of love, it’s a passion. You don’t get noticed overnight, and if you’re in it to get rich and famous, you’re probably going to be disappointed. You shouldn’t be writing because you think it’s going to make you rich and famous. You should be writing because you enjoy it and it’s a personally rewarding experience for you and it may bring joy and entertainment to others. If you end up getting rich and famous, good for you. I’m certainly not trying to be discouraging, but the fact is a lot of writers never get recognized, never get an agent, and never get published by a major publishing house. If you’re serious about writing, make sure you have a good story to tell. Make sure your manuscript is professionally edited and polished. You can’t throw something together haphazardly and say it’s ready to be published. You’ve got to make sure that your final product, your final manuscript, is the best that it can be. It can’t just be good. It has to be great. There’s a lot of competition out there. I think there will be something like 2 million books published this year. You’ve got to make sure yours is exceptional if you want to be successful. Then you have to decide if you want to go the traditional route of trying to find an agent to get your book published by a major publishing house or if you want to self-publish. There are pros and cons to both. A lot of people have made a decent living through self-publishing. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and really want to take charge of marketing your own work, you might be a candidate for self-publishing. Here again, nothing happens overnight. You’ll need to be patient. You’ll need to be dedicated and disciplined. And don’t get discouraged if you’re not as successful as you hoped or if you get turned down by agents or publishers. If you believe in yourself, keep working on it. When you get bucked off the horse, you’ve got to get back in the saddle and keep at it. The same goes for writing. If you believe in yourself and your work, keep going. Write more and more. The more you write, the better you’re going to get at it. Listen to criticism; it can be helpful. You may want to take some classes or workshops to help improve your skills. But if you’re an aspiring writer, you need to be aware of the challenges, you need to believe in yourself, and you need to be patient.

http://www.empowernetwork.com/learnfreemarketing/blog/digger-cartwright-interview/

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As an author of several mystery novels, what motivated you to shift gears with your latest project and write an inspirational book? Interview by “With Five Questions”

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Actually, it wasn’t my idea to write my latest book, Conversations on the Bench. I was asked if I would be interested in writing a book about Sebastian, the central figure of this novel. What really motivated me to undertake the project was Sebastian himself and the story he had to tell. I only met him in person at a symposium hosted by the think tank that he had been instrumental in establishing. Over the next couple days I got to know him and his colleague, and I realized that he had a very fascinating perspective on life that was really the result of his own unique set of life experiences. The more I learned from my few conversations with Sebastian at that symposium and the more I subsequently learned from Robbie, the founder of the think tank, the more motivated I got about writing this inspirational book. It was clear to me that Sebastian’s story needed to be told. He had such a huge personality that you couldn’t help but like the guy, and I think everyone did. Everyone that I talked to had something good to say about Sebastian or had some story to tell about him and how he had impacted their life. He was always very positive and encouraging, and he was always there for his friends. He was just a remarkable individual and the more I got to hear his story, the more inspired I was. And ultimately, this entire project, Sebastian’s story, has really had a very big impact on my life, just as Sebastian himself had a big impact on the lives of people who knew him.

http://withfivequestions.blogspot.com/2013/05/meet-digger-cartwright-author.html

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Could you tell us a little bit about the real life friendship that inspired Conversations on the Bench? Interview by “With Five Questions”

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Robbie was a young college student when he met Sebastian in the mid-1990s. They met while both working at a hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Robbie was a full-time student studying finance, business, economics, etc. and worked full time. Sebastian had an educational background in economics and worked two jobs–tax investigator by day and hotel reservationist by night. They would spend hours talking about everything going on in their worlds and the world at large. And thus began a lifelong friendship. After Robbie graduated from college, Sebastian had some very poignant words of wisdom and anecdotes to share to help the young college grad get through some tough times. Robbie ended up starting his own successful business at about the same time that Sebastian was forced to retire due to health issues. That gave them the opportunity to spend a lot of time together, Sebastian mentoring Robbie and giving him encouragement, and Robbie integrating Sebastian in the business as much as possible.

They ended up starting a think tank, Thinking Outside the Boxe, to share their writings about any topic they could debate as well as their economic commentaries and research. As Sebastian’s health declined, Robbie was there to offer support and encouragement, just as Sebastian had been there for him. These two guys had this great brotherly relationship. Robbie even referred to Sebastian on many occasions as the brother he never had. And I think Sebastian liked that and really thought of Robbie as his little brother. He was there for Robbie to give him advice on women, relationships, business, whatever, and all the advice came from Sebastian’s own experiences. It’s the type of friendship that very few people are lucky enough to find in this life. It’s really just a heartwarming and truly inspirational friendship that I have recounted in Conversations on the Bench.

http://withfivequestions.blogspot.com/2013/05/meet-digger-cartwright-author.html

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What are the unique challenges of writing nonfiction compared with writing fiction? Interview by “With Five Questions”

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With fiction you can do just about anything. You can suspend reality, and the bigger the lie is, the more believable it is to some extent. With fiction, the writer is bound only by the bounds of his own imagination. It’s like an artist with a blank canvas. You start with nothing and slowly but deliberately fill the canvas and bring the picture to life.

Nonfiction is a little more restrictive. Nonfiction is sort of like paint-by-number. You’ve got a pre-established set of lines and you just have to paint inside the lines. You might get away with changing up the colors a little bit, but you’ve got to stay in the lines. Nonfiction is reality. You’re just re-telling what has already happened. Now, as an author you can take certain liberties and change up the scenery. Maybe you make it raining in a scene where it was a sunny day. Maybe the people involved don’t remember where a certain conversation that is being recounted took place, so you have to create a scene where there was not one. With a work of fiction, you get to create the people and everything about them. With nonfiction, you have to get to know the people you’re writing about and try to convey a factual representation of them as best you can.

With Conversations on the Bench, I was able to obtain the crux of the lessons and the conversations through interviews with one of the characters in the book. There may not have been a record of exactly when the conversation took place or who else may have been there or in what circumstance the conversation came up or exactly what was said in the conversation. So, as the author, going back to the artist example, I had a paint-by-number that had some missing lines. I had to create those missing lines, then fill in inside the lines with the right color and the right amount of that color. It was certainly a challenge for me going from fiction to a factually-based storyline. You’ve got to know the people you’re writing about pretty well. It took me time and a lot of telephone conversations to get the story from Robbie and get to the point where I felt comfortable that I knew him and Sebastian.

http://withfivequestions.blogspot.com/2013/05/meet-digger-cartwright-author.html

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