Reincarnation, Spiritual Mystery and Intrigue, and Doug Simpson

What does Reincarnation, Spiritual Mystery, and a love for the written word have in common? An author named Doug Simpson that's what! So without further adieu, settle down and get ready to get to know a little about Doug and his journey thus far.

Hello Doug, why don't you tell us a little about yourself?

D.S-I am a retired high school teacher who has turned to writing as a second career for something challenging to do. My first novel, a spiritual mystery titled Soul Awakening, was published in the United States in October of 2011, by Book Locker. Those who are interested can check it out at http://booklocker.com/books/5754.html. It is available in print and eBook format through most book stores around the world. Before writing Soul Awakening, I started writing articles using the archived readings of the legendary American mystic, Edgar Cayce. To date, my magazine and website articles have been published in 2010 to 2012 in Australia, Canada, France, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. My articles can be accessed through my website at http://dousimp.mnsi.net.

What got you into writing? Do you remember the first thing you wrote?

D.S-It seems that my soul always had an innate desire to write. Over forty-plus years I have started, and sometimes completed, a number of book manuscripts, but the few that got completed always seemed to contain a major defect which I found difficult to rectify.

My first published article, about thirty-five years ago, was for a horsemen’s magazine and was about a very interesting local police Sargent who was quite successful as a standardbred or harness horse owner.

What author(s) would you say has influenced you the most?

D.S-I guess the answer has to be nobody. I have devised my own style of writing which may not work for everyone but works fantastically for me. 

Of all your main characters from your own works, which one is your favorite? Is there anything you'd change about him or her if you could?

The main character in all of my books is a retired high school teacher, like me, who believes in reincarnation, like me, and enjoys helping others, like me. His name is Dacque LaRose. Because of our similarities it made sense that I pattern a lot of his past after me, then I heaped on a number of qualities and characteristics that I do not possess.

Dacque seems to acquire more talents, as I write more books and his spiritual development evolves. If anyone wishes to read the story of Dacque’s life to date, they can find it here: http://lindabolton.blogspot.ca/2012/07/my-next-guest-on-blog-tour-is-doug.html?spref=fb

What advice could you give to those looking to pursue a career in writing?

D.S-It took me forty years to create a book manuscript worth publishing. My advice to all writers would be, do not become discouraged and give up, but become discouraged and then more determined than ever to succeed.

Where do your ideas for your stories come from? Do you draw on real life experiences or do your stories come to life from your mind?

D.S-I write about survival of souls after the death of the body, and reincarnation of souls. Much of the action portrayed in my books is the result of true experiences, but definitely not all my personal experiences. I save reported accounts of the experiences of others, and therefore the accounts included in my books are real experiences of someone or other.

Could you explain to the readers here what a day in your life is like when you are writing?

D.S-I have an advantage over most writers in that I am retired on a decent monthly pension, so the part of my day not corralled by my wife or grandchildren, is mine. I write at any time of the day, or night, when the opportunity and inspiration are available.  

What would you say is the most important or key component when looking to publish a book?

D.S-I try and make my stories different from the norm. Reincarnation is far from the norm, yet a lot of people believe in it or at least think that it could be possible, so I have a decent prospective readership base. 

What are your views on self-publishing versus traditional publishing?

D.S-I found that it was impossible for an unpublished author to get traditional publishers, or for that matter,  agents to even read my work. I think the system today drives almost all new authors to self-publish, unless they are fortunate enough to have a personal connection to the big guys.

What is your preferred genre that you write and why?

D.S-I call my books spirituality mysteries. I write these because of the depth of my personal knowledge on the subject.

Could you name some of your favorite books?

D.S-There Is A River, by Thomas Sugrue, is the first of now over thirty biographies written about Edgar Cayce and his amazing powers.

Many Lives, Many Masters, by Brian L. Weiss M.D., is the story of how Dr. Weiss accidentally discovered reincarnation through one of his toughest-to-help psychiatric patients, changing his life in a direction he could never have imagined.

How have you liked being part of the Tasha Turner Teaching Virtual Blog Tour?

D.S-It has been a marvelous experience. I have met so many wonderful people, like you Nikki, and I have been forced to write articles or posts that I would never have considered writing on my own. I was pleasantly shocked by how well I was able to master these challenges.

How important do you feel the internet is to authors looking to promote their writing?

D.S-Priceless!!! It gives us an opportunity to promote and display our work at little or no expense.

What is your current project?

D.S-I am currently fine tuning Book III in the series I have now dubbed The Dacque Chronicles, and have started writing Book IV. 

Would you like to see any of your books made into a movie or television special?

D.S-Of course! Wouldn’t we all? 

What are your feelings towards book sharing sites?

D.S-In my opinion they are infringing on copyrights and their hosts should shut them down.