Indie Author Interview with David Kreinberg - Author of the Supernatural Mystery Thriller Freeze Kill.
David Kreinberg's love of stories never waned regardless of medium, even after altering many in his mind, usually taking them in a darker direction.
He decided to become a writer in his freshman year at Montclair State University, dabbling in video game and comic scenarios alongside his novel writing. After graduating with a degree in Classics, he would go on to write dialogue for online indie game, Dudebro II, followed shortly by joining the staff of RPGsite.net where he would review and post news about video games.
Interview with David Kreinberg
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| Author David Kreinberg |
David Kreinberg: I would constantly think up stories as a child, but I did not actually start writing them down until I was 19, which was during the summer of my Freshman year at college. At first I would write video game scripts and scenarios before branching out into graphic novels and then standard novels. Creative writing and other literature classes helped me further cement my writing style.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
I've always been a fan of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. As a child, I was also an R.L. Stine aficionado. I was obsessed with the Goosebumps series and many of the stories stuck with me to adulthood. I felt that some of the concepts present in them would be well-suited to an older audience, so I took a bit of inspiration from them. Dragon Tears by Dean Koontz was also a big inspiration as it also follows a serial killer with a supernatural gift.
"[...] realized that there really aren't any limitations to writing [...]"
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Same as when I started writing; 19. At that point, I was set on becoming a video game scenario writer, but I was entirely ignorant of the process at the time. I began experimenting with writing for other mediums and realized that there really aren't any limitations to writing regardless of what kind of writing you do.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Vaguely. I think it was for a project back in kindergarten. It involved blue ducks and swords buried in the ground, or at least something along those lines. I'm sure my parents still have it in their house somewhere. I should try to find it.
"I write a minimum of 300 words daily."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I write a minimum of 300 words daily. It's doesn't matter if it's a weekend or even a holiday; I won't miss a day unless something major is going on in my life. Of course there's a lot of procrastination and stressing out, but that comes with the territory.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
I actually write in bed on a desk right next to it. At the moment, there are a few snack wrappers and cups on it along with a bunch of books and video game boxes. I should probably clean it soon.
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
Coming up with what I find to be compelling plot points is actually relatively easy. It doesn't take me long to organize entire story arcs in my head. The hard part is of course writing them down and turning them into something coherent. Even if I know exactly what I want to write, the procrastination is a bit of a crutch when it comes to putting the words down in a timely manner.
"I am creating content that no one else in the world can duplicate [...]"
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Knowing that regardless of how people see my stories, they are wholly unique to me. I am creating content that no one else in the world can duplicate in exactly the same way, and I feel that that's something to be proud of. If people enjoy what I write on top of that, well that's just icing on the cake.
David, please tell us a little about your Supernatural Mystery/Thriller Freeze Kill.
Freeze Kill follows a serial killer with the ability to stop time. The first murder the killer ever committed was in kindergarten, which left a pretty big mark on the students in the class. Twenty one years pass and those same students find themselves in the midst of the brutal murders once more. And so, a futile game of cat and mouse begins.
The narrative is split down the middle between third person from the perspective of the former students and first person from the perspective of the serial killer. The latter's identity is kept ambiguous to further the mystery, as several murders happen around the former to the point where they question how they can escape such a hopeless situation alive.
.jpg "Freeze Kill (David Kreinberg)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
Super hero fiction in general was a big factor. Particularly, the ability to manipulate time, which is relatively common in that genre. However, there always seem to be contrived ways of fighting against it, so I wanted to put that power in a real world setting and give it to an incredibly brutal and hateful murderer while simultaneously making the way to combat it as logical as possible, which happens to be incredibly difficult. I basically wanted it to be a deconstruction of super powers, but by only sticking to a very specific one.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
I would say the 16-36 demographic, but of course people younger and older than that might like it as well. While it's a bit inspired by nerd culture like graphic novels and video games, I think it's accessible enough for anyone that would be interested in the premise.
You can buy the book on Amazon, Smashwords, the Nook Store, Google Play, and Kobo. It is currently only available as an ebook, but I'm looking into getting a paperback copy out.
What makes your book special?
As I said before, the narrative is split down the middle between first and third person. The first person chapters from the perspective of the killer really drive home how twisted the antagonist is, which is made all the more creepy by the lack of reactions from other characters do to them taking place while time is stopped. And of course, the lack of an identity for the killer during these chapters furthers the mystery and intrigue. The way it's written, I can't imagine it working in any other medium except for maybe graphic novels, as that does not have audio since the mindset of the killer is important.
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
Low, but as a new author with little promotion, I was expecting that. In the coming months, I have a lot lined up to get the book into interested readers' hands.
How long did it take it to write the book?
About a year. I finished it this past June and started in previous July. The editing process of course took many more months and it wasn't released until half a year later.
"Just keep writing."
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
Just keep writing. If it's bad, you can fix that later. Also maybe do some exercise if have writer's block. You'd be surprised at how a bit of cardio can pump some adrenaline-fueled ideas into your head.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I am currently working on an action fantasy book that I hope to turn into a trilogy. I'm about halfway done and hope to be able to reveal more around summer. It is quite different from Freeze Kill in content, but I imagine people that liked the tone might be interested.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
The world is moving toward digital in many mediums, but I don't think physical will die out entirely. Book stores will of course take a big hit, but they will still exist in a decade. Smaller Mom and Pop stores will probably be forced to close down, though. I do think that digital will be the dominant format, but it will take much longer than a decade for it to be the only format.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I recently got a Kindle Fire. It's pretty neat.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I currently work as a tile salesman.Outside of writing, I play video games, watch anime, read manga, graphic novels, and of course books. I'm also a video game journalist that writes for rpgsite.net, a site that, as it name implies, covers the RPG genre of games.
How can readers connect with you?
They can tweet me @cosmicblizzard.
Thank you very much for the Interview, David.
About the Book Freeze Kill
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Would you use it to help people? Or maybe you would use it for your own benefit regardless of how legal it is. Rob a few banks undetected, sneak into movie theaters without paying; much can be accomplished with such an ability.
Sam takes things a bit further. At the tender age of five, the child used the new found ability to brutally murder kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Derinzel right in the middle of class. Thus, a serial killer with a horrifying gift was born.
Twenty one years have passed since that event, but the murders have not slowed down. The students of the kindergarten class have grown up, each one greatly affected by the tragedy from their childhood. Some became so obsessed with trying to capture the elusive killer, they created an organization to do so. But with unlimited suspects and no means to defend themselves, the former students will experience a dreadful sense of futility and despair like never before.
Link to the Book
Link to the eBook Freeze Kill with Excerpt on Amazon
