Suite101.com talked to emerging American historical fiction novelist, Daniel Dinges. His first book, Get Out of Way is a look back at the United States during the Vietnam war era. Dinges recently moved to the Rio Grande Valley after a varied varied career in business, consulting, and management. He has two degrees, one in economics and the other in business.
When asked about himself, Dinges replied, "My life’s journey has taken me to virtually every state in the union. I have had long-term residences in Illinois, Virginia, Washington state, Alaska, and Minnesota. Semi-retirement gives me the opportunity to explore interests, including writing, that I overlooked in the scramble for material success. I am also able to spend more time with my spiritual side and at this writing, am a member of the council of elders at my church.'
Daniel Dinges on His Passions and Pleasures in Life
Companion animal rescue is a passion for me. I am active at the local shelter in the areas of adoptions, breed rescue, and fundraising. We are taking an important step in solving the pet overpopulation problem in the Valley by opening a low cost, high volume spay/neuter clinic. I will be the director of operations during the startup of this organization.
My two boys have families of their own now. The eldest lives in Boston and is busy raising two sons of his own. The younger is also raising a family. A granddaughter joined us last fall. They are moving to Texas soon. I hope to see a lot more of both families in the future.
In my leisure time, I enjoy travel, golf, and long walks with my two dogs, who were both adopted from the local shelter.
Suite101: What Does Writing Mean to You?
Dinges: Writing has always been a part of my professional life. As a consultant, manager, and trainer, I have often been tasked to use the written word to put across the results of my labours in reports using clear, concise, and complete terminology. The goal of a report is to make the complex understandable and actionable. Dinges discussed his Writing Process, in depth in an interview with suite101.com
Suite101.com: What Motivated You to Write Get Out of the Way?
Get Out of the Way is my first attempt at writing for the entertainment of an audience. I think that all good books try to engage readers on multiple levels. In this respect, Get Out of the Way is no different. It refers to a time of great social change (Vietnam) that left many without a feeling of closure. To some, it seemed that the country shut the door on the mistakes and failures and went into a state of denial. The message of this book is one of hope for growth through retrospection and healing through reconciliation.
I also believe that the messages in books should be tailored to the work. At this point, I do not believe the subsequent works in this series or in future projects will be based on the same message.
Suite101: Series or Stand Alone?
Dinges: Get out of the Way is Book One in a series about America in the last century. The series will tell the story of this amazing and in some ways frenetic period in our history through the eyes of Tom Daniels and his family. The kaleidoscope of sweeping changes the series will examine include: the integration of the western pioneers into an emerging industrial society, the assimilation of refugees from post WWI Europe, the Great Depression, WWII, the Vietnam era, and the post-Vietnam transition of America from an industrial power to a service-based society.
Suite101.com thanks Daniel Dinges for taking the time to talk to readers about his new book, Get Out of The Way.
Watch the Get Out of the Way Trailer on YouTube
Julie Burtinshaw - Julie is the Reading and Literature and Writing and Publishing Editor for Suite101.com. She is also the author of five books and is ...
