Meet author David J author of Apocalypse Chow. Apocalypse Chow is a parody retelling of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, served with generous portions of Francis Ford Coppola’s film, Apocalypse Now. Learn more about the inspiration behind David's work in his interview below.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing in high school, contributing pieces to my local daily newspaper and publishing my own zine. That work and experience got me into journalism school and I spent more than a decade working as a journalist and communications consultant. I’ve now shifted to creative writing, which is more difficult but far more rewarding.
What is your most recent literary/artistic project? I’ve recently self-published a book called “Apocalypse Chow”, which is a parody of Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now, set in the restaurant trade and northern Ontario. I put myself through journalism school by working in restaurants and bars in Toronto, which inspired me to write the book. I’m also in the process of editing my first full-length novel, “The Piper of Paradise”.
What inspires you to write?
That’s a great question. On the one hand, I feel compelled to tell stories, as if the tales are alive inside of me and pushing to get out. On the other hand, I’m intensely conscious of my own mortality, something I think about every day. So I feel that my body of work will be the legacy I leave behind when I die. Morbid, perhaps, but an excellent motivator.
Who’s your favorite author and why?
I’d have to say it’s a tossup between Hemingway and Somerset Maugham. Hemingway is an easy choice given his discipline and ruthless pursuit of the craft of writing. Somerset Maugham is less well-known but a master of the human condition. I’m also a fan of other great observers of humanity such as John Steinbeck, Raymond Carver, and Margaret Atwood.
What advice can you give to other authors or writers?
My advice to other authors and writers is to tell them to write about subjects that they are passionate about and if they would do that, they will find that the writing part becomes very easy.
Where can readers go to find out more information about your work? Apocalypse Chow is available on Amazon, and you can find my website at iamdavidjw.com