Featured Interview With David Scott Richardson
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Seattle in 1942. Several years thereafter we moved to NY city and eventually western Pennsylvania. Returning to the NW in 1949 I bounced around between Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Bellingham finally coming to rest in Woodinville over thirty years ago. I live with my wife, two cats, and a mini zoo of backyard critters.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I must confess I never had a fascination with books, primarily because I had considerable difficulty learning to read. About 25 years ago I injured my back and had to sit for roughly four months. My wife was an avid reader and she began bringing books from the library. I didn’t make requests so she brought anything she thought I might like. That may be why I read books from so many different genres.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I don’t know if I have favorite authors; there are so many to choose from. I tend to concentrate on history and social commentary but I do like Hemmingway, Steinbeck, and Vonnegut. I spent several years reading about NW railroad and logging history. Recent books have included How the Word is Passed, Caste, Waking up White, Half American, and Just Mercy. I’m inspired by any author who can suck me in and keep me reading.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Because my father was killed in WWII, the war has always been an interest. At some point, the idea of somebody lighting fires during the mandatory blackouts in Seattle captured my imagination. As a former sixth-grade teacher, I understood how inadequate we are at teaching civics and history, especially to young people, hence teenage readers became my target audience. The central idea of An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze cried out to become a mystery. It was also a vehicle to portray the homefront in a way most young readers had not been exposed to. The story is set in my Seattle neighborhood, which by the way, still looks almost exactly like it did in 1943. Much of the story reflects my own lived experiences, though slightly updated to the nineteen fifties.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
David Scott Richardson’s Website
David Scott Richardson Facebook Page