I’m pleased to welcome my fellow 1st Turning Point columnist Norman W. Wilson, Ph.D. today!
AS: Norman, congratulations. Your novel, The Shaman’s Quest, will release soon. Will this be book four in the series hero’s journey? Since Adam’s journey spans six novels, what would you say each book’s theme is?
First, let me say, thank you for inviting me for this interview. I am delighted.
Actually this is a rewrite of my first novel. Over 40,000 words have been added to bring in new content and new characters. The basic theme of the five completed novels is discovery, that is inner discover of what it means to be truly human. The sixth book, yet to be written, will be a fictive biography of Adam’s father, Esaugetuh.
AS: Your background is in academic authorship. What was it like to cross over into fiction?
NW: It’s a whole new bag of tricks. The most significant change is the creation of a make-believe world in such a way that it appears to be real. Textbook writing is an accumulation of facts and presenting them in different arrangements. Fiction forced me to create living-breathing characters who have problems in need of solutions. On a very personal level, it was, for me, a wonderful learning experience. Still is, in fact.
AS: How is your voice and writing process different in fiction versus non-fiction?
NW: Amber, this is an excellent question. Actually, I’d not given it any thought until now. Voice has not been a concern. I think voice is one of those areas that professors of literature like to harp on. Whatever my voice is in fiction, in non-fiction, it is one of authority.
AS: Fill in some blanks for us:
All _play____ and no __work_____ make Norman non-productive_______.
All I want for __2010________ is __1,00 books sold. :)____________.
You’re __lucky________ if you do, you’re __unlucky________ if you don’t.
AS: What do you think readers would be most surprised to discover about you?
NW: In another life I was a shoe cobbler’s helper in Spain.
AS: In thinking about the Shamanism, at some level, do you believe we carry our ancient oral and mystical traditions with us and that our need for our own journey can be expressed or fulfilled through storytelling?
NW: Yes, definitely. I believe we each contain within us all the knowledge that has existed since the beginning of time. Socrates told us we simply had to ask the right question(s).
AS: What can we look forward to from you next?
NW: I am considering writing an erotic romance novel. 🙂 Thank you, Amber for having me. It’s been my pleasure.
AS: Thank you, Norman! Your new book cover is gorgeous, by the way. Stephen R Walker Designs did an amazing job on it.
Reader, for more Norman, visit his website or friend him on facebook.
Amber Scott Books 
Norman, you’re right, I would never have guessed you for a shoe cobbler in Spain. I also was surprised to see you are going to write an erotice romance novel–that’s wonderful!
This was a very fun interview, and I like the question and answer about our inner shaman. I need to figure out what questions to ask myself. I am continually amazed with what my brain can do. I’m not saying I’m smart, I’m just saying that I have yet to find its limits on so many fronts.
Good answers, Norman. Excellent questions, Amber!
So do you repair your own shoes? 🙂
It’s been great fun getting to know you a little better, Norman, and thanks Amber for asking some good questions!
No I don’t repair my own shoes but I know now why my feet hurt. I had to run those cobblestone streets barefoot. Ouch. Ouch. 🙂
Norman worked for a shoe cobbler in SPAIN? We need to talk, Norman! Can I put in my order? LOL That is a very cool and unusual occupation to have had (and I really am a shoe queen, so I wasn’t really kidding about the order…)
This was an interesting interview, it was nice to learn more about you, Norman. Thanks for the fun questions, Amber!
Norman, very neat interview. I would have figured ybe some kind of healer in a past life.