DK Walker Explores the Ugly Side of Sex

DK Walker, a recovering sex addict, has wanted to share with the world his story, but only now has found the courage to speak on it in his first novel The Ugly Side of Sex. Having battled this affliction for the better part of 20 years, DK Walker can speak first hand on the debilitating effects that this disease can have. Having finally figured out the difference between lust and love, DK hopes he can help anyone else who is struggling to tell the two apart. DK Walker currently resides in Washington DC with his wife and two beautiful daughters.

O. Keeys: Upon reading DK Walker's bio I had to interject. I am glad he chose to speak out on this topic because it's one not often talked about. If it is even mentioned it's mostly in a joking manner. Being that of often write Erotic novels, this appealed to me. Now back to DK Walker.

1. What inspires you as a writer?  Living life and being a lover of words, knowing when I put them together a beautiful picture can be constructed with as few or as many words I choose. I have always gravitated to the great orators that I admire; Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, President Obama, Les Brown (yes I said Les) and hope to over time have my works, if not noted with theirs, then honorably mentioned will do.

2. When did you have that ah ha moment when you knew you were a writer? Like most writers after reading someone else’s work and I just knew I could do better. It sounds conceited, but it's really isn't. I have always wanted to write. Hell, I run my mouth enough to sound like I knew what I was talking about. So why don't I piece something together and see if others feel likewise? So far they have, but who knows a few books down the line they may be scratching their heads having a WTF moment. Time will tell.

3. What is your writing process?  A thought becomes a thing. That thing is thought about some more to see if it's marketable. If it is and that thought persists in my head, I usually run with it. Some authors use character boards which is fine, but it all flows from the vision of how I want the finished product to look. I have to have an attention grabbing beginning that refuses to let you go and a climatic ending that doesn't always have to be so over the top like a Hollywood action movie. But fits in the grand scheme of things and still leaves the readers satisfied. The most important aspect of my writing style is the flow, it has to flow seamlessly. If I find myself forcing it, I stop and leave it alone. I believe when you set a page count or a word count in your head, more times than not, you find yourself trying to reach that number when you should have stopped writing a while ago.

4. Tell us about your favorite character and why you chose to write about them? My favorite character to date is Nicolas Andrews who is the main character in my book, The Ugly Side of Sex. I'm sure that the more I write and develop more characters he will be replaced, but for now he's the one. And that's solely because so many readers can identify to some degree with him and his plight of being addicted to sex. Whether it’s watching porn and the constant lusting over it, masturbating and it's pulling effects (yes pun included), or just a multitude of lovers whose purpose is usually served after a few moans; we all can relate to Nicolas somehow someway.

5. What are you currently working on? I'm currently working on a novel called 'Have You Seen My Childhood?' which delves deeply into what we subject our male children to. Honestly, it's a miracle more men aren't dysfunctional in dealing with their emotions. The book follows its main character through his life, chronicling his upbringing and the overall affect this plays out in his adult life.

6. Any upcoming events? I will be in attendance at the 2^nd Annual Baltimore Urban Book Festival, May 6, 2012. I plan on participating in the Baltimore Book Festival 2012 September 28-30^th, Black Authors and Readers Rock Weekend Oct. 19-20, 2012 in New Carrollton MD, and The Annual Authors Literary Festival Nov 3, 2012 in Richmond VA.

O. Keeys: I look forward to seeing you at the Baltimore Book Festival. I attended last year and had a blast. 

7. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be? Me. I'm 42 and just learning to walk in my own shoes and I'm sure someone else might not fit as snug.

8. Do you have any advice for new writers and something that a seasoned vet can learn? For new writers and vets alike if I was to part with any limited knowledge I have, it would be this; always write from an honest vein, no story under the sun is new, but the way YOU tell it is. Be careful that you don’t write with limited vision, placing yourself in a box and conforming.

9. Where can your followers find you? Followers can find me on Facebook (DK Walker) Twitter (@enelpublishing, @dkwalker1), www.en-el-publishing.com, www.enelpublishing.wordpress.com, and www.dkwalker117.wordpress.com.

10. Any last words? In closing you'll find in your attempt to pursue your dreams you will face many an obstacles, none bigger than you. So please do not be your own worst enemy. Trust me when I tell you that you will have a line of people vying for the opportunity, the more you work towards your goals.

Books are available on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/The-Ugly-Side-Sex-Walker/dp/0615380115/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1333374324&sr=1-1-catcorr or www.en-el-publishing.com.

Author Spotlight Nicholas L. Maze

 

Born in Flint, Michigan, Nicholas L. Maze attended Baker College, where he earned his degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting and Marketing. With a knack for advertising and excelling in math, Nicholas seemed destined for a productive career in business. Instead, there would be another gift that would prove to be more dominant and rewarding.

In the summer of 1999, while still in college, Nicholas found a job with a nation-wide security organization. His initial plans were to work his job, until he finished college. But it was his stint with the security organization that would lead to a rebirth of his passion for writing. As a child, being driven by a strong imagination, Nicholas would write stories to past time. It was during his composition courses in college that Nicholas realized that his gift was still intact. His writing craft received praise from his colleagues and instructors. With substantial amount of free time on the job, Nicholas found himself writing more and more. He started by writing poetry and composing songs, during his free time on the job. It was at this same time that Nicholas began managing a small rap group, which allowed him to hone his writing skills even more. Nicholas began composing songs for his rap group and him. In 2004, Nicholas began to write his first published work. With ample amount of time and a number of ideas, Nicholas began to write. In order to compose a successful work, Nicholas had to make himself the reader. Nicholas placed himself in the passenger seat and let his imagination go to work.

As Nicholas was completing his book, he renewed his relationship with GOD and acquired a second job. Two jobs and attending college full-time, forced Nicholas to put his writing on hold. Once Nicholas completed his first degree in Marketing, he was able to focus on his unfinished work and complete his book in 2007. From there, Nicholas began to send out query letters for his book. After no success, Nicholas placed his book on the shelf and returned to school. In 2009, Nicholas received a prophecy on his writing gift and immediately began shopping his book around. “I instantly thought of my finished work and began sending out query letters. Within two months, I received a publishing deal.” Now, Nicholas is fine-tuning himself for a long, successful career as an author. His first love.

Up Close with Nicholas

1. What inspires you as a writer?

Life. Everything on this earth is an inspiration to write. From burning toast to oversleeping, I am inspired to write. A great example is a future drama that I plan to write. The inspiration for the drama came about as I was leaving out of my driveway. Since I drive in reverse into my driveway, I can observe my surroundings as I leave. As I was leaving out, I noticed my neighbor’s garbage on the corner and instantly got an idea for a drama.

2.  When did you have that ah ha moment when you knew you were a writer?

I have been writing since about the age of 12 and I have always had a great imagination. When I began to write my first book (White Collar Woman), I was at a security job. I had no plans to pursue a writing career, but I wanted to see what I could put on paper. After finishing my story, I received a prophecy from a visiting prophet at our Church. Although I had been writing for years, the prophecy was my confirmation or “ah ha” moment.

3.  What is your writing process?

I tend to begin a lot of my writings on paper versus on a computer. I hand write a lot, because my ideas come about unexpectedly. So, I usually grab a sheet of paper and write what is on my mind. After my first book, I began to carry a small notepad to write. Once I have a lot of information to put on paper, I limit myself. Instead of putting down everything at once, I save some for the next day. By doing this, I have something to build off of, when I begin to write the next day. This is my way of eliminating writer’s block.

4.  Tell us about your favorite character and why you chose to write about them?

My favorite character would have to be Marla Evans (White Collar Woman), because she allowed me the opportunity to tell a woman’s story, from a man’s perspective. At same time, I was able to display a career successful and beautiful woman with the same emotional battles of being in a relationship, as any other human being.

5.  What are you currently working on?

My current project is a book that will help restore Churches and restructure ministries. I discovered that Churches have been in need of this literature, for over 100 years, but it has never been written.

6.  Any upcoming events?

My next blog stop will take place at MK McCintock’s Blog, on April 5th. Also, I will be attending the Dayton Book Expo, on April 28, from 11am - 4PM in the Great Hall at Sinclair Community College’s Ponitz Conference Center (Dayton, OH).

7.  If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?

My father. A great influence in my life. His knowledge would be like having an encyclopedia stored inside my brain.

8.  Do you have any advice for new writers and something that a seasoned vet can learn?

You will NEVER please everybody. I promise. So when you write, write from your heart, because even your best critic can get offended. You are not writing to make people happy. You are writing to influence, inspire, and grow. Write from your heart.

9.   Where can your followers find you?

I try to enter every avenue:

My home is www.nicholasmaze.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/ye4Z2I

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/whKpKF

iTunes: http://bit.ly/xR1hdO

LuLu: http://bit.ly/vChpbL

Twitter: http://bit.ly/HB9Ax7

FaceBook: http://on.fb.me/p8eP4g

10.              Any last words?

I appreciate this wonderful opportunity. Technology has allowed us to connect at so many levels. I ask that every person seriously take “EXIT” into consideration. This book was written from the heart, with a desire to help restore our country. 

 What 12+ years of schooling never provided is located within this amazing literature. From basic instructions on saving to the reason for America’s current financial dilemma, we receive great advice in the world of finance. People across the globe are crying for relief that will never come. In EXIT, we learn that financial strain is planned and orchestrated. The more America suffers financially, the more successful certain individuals become. How do we eliminate a problem that has been in place for almost 100 years? We first learn how to exit, escape.

Thinking Outside the Box

If my less than stellar mathematical skills in high school and college were a tale-tale sign of my future then I should’ve known thinking outside of the box was right up my alley. On each math exam or quiz I groaned at the sight of a box with algebraic equations, L x W x H, or whatever else they could come up to torture me with. My issue wasn’t so much the math itself but the fact there sat a space confined within four sides. No way did I want to be in the center of that. I’d prefer to be on the outside of it exploring what else was going on. 

While this method of thinking doesn’t fare so well with math, it does when it comes to selling books. When I first ventured out I did the usual—set up book signings at bookstores and libraries. These turned out pretty well considering most unknown authors sell 4-5 books at these. I sold 45 in my home town but everywhere else I prayed to get 10. I did this for my first year, and then it dawned on me. I see people reading everywhere. So why not have signings at places other than book stores and libraries?

I started out at my desk at work. Co-workers. Why not? They always asked me to buy something their kids were selling. And, in most cases my books were by far cheaper. I made a form just like their kids had and emailed it and passed it out. Before long people were stopping by my desk on their breaks. As years passed I found more and more things to do. The most recent, a conference that had absolutely nothing to do with literacy. While at the conference this past weekend not only did I sale close to a hundred books in two days, but it opened the doorways to more conferences and with the marketing material I stuck inside the book after signing I am sure to pick up more sales. 

So, to those who only think inside the box prepare to be disappointed. But, to those who dare to be dance to your own tune be prepared to soar. It may not happen overnight, but if you keep at it it will. Good luck.

O. Keeys

www.okeeys.com