David Myles Robinson has always had a passion for writing. During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, while in college, Robinson worked as a freelance writer for several magazines and was a staff writer for a weekly minority newspaper in Pasadena, California. Upon graduating from San Francisco State University, he attended the University of San Francisco School of Law. It was there that he met his wife, Marcia Waldorf. In 1975 the two moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and began practicing law. Robinson became a trial lawyer and Waldorf eventually became a Circuit Court judge.
Upon retiring in 2010, Robinson completed his first novel, Unplayable Lie. He has since published eight more novels.
Website: www.davidmylesrobinson.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DMRobinsonWrite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMylesRobinson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmylesrobinson
Would you call yourself a born writer?
I would have to say yes. I’m certainly not a great, florid, writer, but I’ve always had an ability to put things into the written word. I remember when I turned twelve, which was the day before President Kennedy was assassinated, I wrote a long poem/ode that weekend, which the minister in our church read to the entire congregation. I wrote my first short story in seventh grade. Then I went on to write for my school papers, a minority newspaper in Pasadena, CA, and wrote a number of articles as a freelance journalist for national magazines. After becoming a trial attorney, my writing became a bit stilted and formal. I wrote a full novel while still working, but it was pretty awful, which is why when I was about to retire and started writing fiction again, I wrote a golf related suspense novel (Unplayable Lie) so as to avoid any legalese. I’ve published nine novels in total.
What was your inspiration for Tropical Scandal?
All of my Pancho McMartin legal thrillers are inspired by actual events and circumstances in Hawaii. Tropical Scandal was inspired by a huge scandal involving the Hawaii police and judiciary. My story is pure fiction, but the real life story, while not involving murder, is every bit as bizarre.
What themes do you like to explore in your writing?
My themes are kind of eclectic, depending on whether I’m writing a legal thriller inspired by true events or stand-alone suspense thrillers. I do tend to write about racism (as in my novels Tropical Judgments and Words Kill), and can get a bit political in some of my stand-alones.
How long did it take you to complete the novel?
About six months, including all the re-writes.
Are you disciplined? Describe a typical writing day.
I am only disciplined when I’m actually involved in writing a book. I don’t write every day between books, but when I’m writing, I can write for hours at a time, day after day.
What did you find most challenging about writing this book?
I don’t do outlines, so it is both a challenge and enjoyment to have an idea and simply start writing. It is not uncommon for me to write myself into a corner and have to retreat to where I began to go awry. Part of the joy is the personal suspense of where I’m going with a particular story.
What do you love most about being an author?
I simply love writing. I certainly don’t do it for money or fame, although I love it when someone contacts me to say how much they enjoyed a book they just finished. For some reason I feel a need to write, whether it is personal poetry or essays or novels.
Did you go with a traditional publisher, small press, or did you self publish? What was the process like and are you happy with your decision?
My first novel was a golf related suspense novel, and although I had good input from a number of agents, they all seemed to feel the subject was too limiting. I was lucky enough to find a small, traditional publisher in Florida who loved the book and published my first three or four novels. I later tried to land an agent again for one of my stand-alone books and did so, but she was unable to sell it to a big publishing house and she referred me to a hybrid publisher, which published the next six novels. I am now back at my original traditional publisher. I’m happy with my decisions, although it was daunting to learn how difficult and potentially expensive it is to properly market a novel.
Where can we find your book on the web?
Tropical Scandal is at all the major sites, such as Amazon and B&N. There is a link at my website, davidmylesrobinson.com. It can also be purchased directly from the publisher, Bluewater Press, LLC.
Leave a comment