Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Guest Author Interview: Donald Kirch














Please welcome today's guest author Donald Kirch.  Donald is the author of Manchester House, The Christ Project, The Misadventures of Ka-Ron the Knight, and Still Waters.  Donald Kirch is a master of the paranormal genre and has had the singular experience of being attacked by a ghost while spending two weekends in the famous haunted "Sallie House".  Read his interview below to learn more!

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Donald:
  I began writing when I was about thirteen years old. My family moved around a lot during my childhood, and I was always "The New Kid" in school. That could be difficult for a little guy, and I was a shy one anyway. So, I used to make up characters in my mind, write them down on paper, and try out my own adventures. Kind'a like D&D but with no rules to stop me. And, after a while, the stories turned into adventures, and the adventures soon became a part of who I am now. I could not see myself being anything other than what I am.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Donald:
  As a child, I loved tv shows such as "In Search Of.." or "One Step Beyond." These thrilled my imagination. In today's society, all the magic has been explained away. What I love about the paranormal genre, is that there are adventures, people, and places that challenge science and the world as we know it. I do not want to know everything. I want some MAGIC in my life.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Donald: 
To fight evil. I have seen way too much of it in this life, and if I could, I would love to tackle it to the ground, place it in a box, and throw it into the deepest and darkest hole I could find. To be able to read other's minds would be cool!

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Donald:
  It is not your typical "haunted house" story. I was once attacked by a ghost, while visiting "The Sallie House" in Atchison, Kansas. The experience helped open my eyes to the possibilities of an "after life."
While going down some stairs of this house, I felt a pair of hands push at my shoulders, and another pair pull at my ankles. I almost had some serious injuries. Made me a "believer!" Made this story worth writing.

EJ:  If your book 'Manchester House' were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Donald:
  Here's how I would cast it:

Professor Holzer: Robert Downey, Jr.
Ingrid Night: Max Von Sydow
Lars: Leonardo DiCaprio
Sinclar: Benicio Del Toro
Miranda: Jessica Alba
Theresa: Zoe Saldana
Lars: Johnny Depp

Director: Tim Burton

This would be a great movie because there are so many storylines, flashbacks, and legendary creatures involved. Some characters are bigger than life and would require actors with depth and range to recreate them on the screen. I hope to one day obtain that goal.






















Manchester House by Donald Kirch.

Manchester House was built upon secrets and blood. Even the land upon which it was built was considered…bad.
ITEM: Native Americans for untold centuries believed that if a bird flew over the property it would die.

ITEM: On the forced “Trail of Tears” march to Oklahoma, a rival tribe invaded a campsite of a sworn enemy, resting upon the property, decapitated the women and cooked their heads. No reason was ever given.

ITEM: While traveling to Vicksburg, Ulysses S. Grant had an experience that changed his life forever – he never would say what.

ITEM: On his travels, Grant lost an entire squad of soldiers, two field surgeons, a team of horses and mules, and one Gatlin gun. No explanation given. Grant, himself, refused to investigate.


No one in the town wanted to admit that the ancient house even existed. All homes facing the ruin had their windows boarded shut. All roads to the thing were blocked, overgrown, or forbidden.

Manchester House was a beacon of evil at the center of a small Kansas Town with a dark and mysterious past that would not go away. All tried to forget it even existed -- until the police had to bring the bodies out.

When a group of professional "ghost hunters" explore a local haunted house, they descend into absolute darkness and terror, learning the incredible truth behind the legend of MANCHESTER HOUSE.


My review of Manchester House by Donald Kirch coming soon!

Thank you Donald for joining us here today at From the Shadows!  For information about Donald Kirch and his books please visit his website.

18 comments:

  1. awesome post EJ ! cant wait to check out this author another one thats new to me

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  2. I'm hovering nearby and will look in throughout the day. I thank each of you for both your interest and time. If you have any questions fire away. I will do my best to answer them. :-)

    Donald Allen Kirch.

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  3. I read this book and LOVED it. I couldn't put it down, the scenes seemed to be jumping off the page and the flashbacks were some of the best writing I have ever experienced.
    I recommend it to all.
    Amanda Goossen
    Lit Fest Magazine
    www.litfestmagazine.com

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  5. Being a longtime friend of Donald's I just had to stop by and see what was going on! I am so pleased to see that people are loving his books! I first met him when he was working on another book and I have been following his career ever since. Way to go Donald!!

    Kathleen Evans
    Website Designer
    ladykathleen.com, enchanted-castles.com, enchantedtitanic.com, enchantedfamily.com (just to name a few)

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  6. Kathleen is also the Great-Great Grand Neice of E.J. Smith, Captain of the R.M.S. Titanic. I'm quite proud to have her as a friend. Thanks, Kathy!

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  7. Oops! Fat fingers..."Great-Great Grand Niece of Captain E.J. Smith, Master of the RMS Titanic. Sorry, Kathy. ;-)

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  8. I haven't read Manchester House, but am currently reading Ka-Ron and LOVING it. I'm normally not a huge fantasy fan, but I'm a fan of good writing, and Mr. Kirch certainly knows how to spin a tale. And tales within tales. I look forward to reading more from this talented author!

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  9. Thanks for the invite Don! Great interview. It is always so interesting to learn new things about authors. I had no idea Manchester House was based on a real life experience you had. Very cool. If any of you are hesitating at picking up his book, run don't walk. Here's an excellent review here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=24514

    Don did you ever read Fate magazine as a kid? Or do you remember the movie "Beyond and Back"?

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  10. I read "Famous Monsters of Filmland" and "Fate!" Loved them both. I also remember "Beyond and Back!" Sacred the ga-jeebees out of me as a kid. I also remember Rod Serling's "Tales of the Unexplained." Which came out about the same time. Both are classic films long-forgotten.

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  11. I was sold once I knew it was based upon hauntings in a town near me. Everyone is familiar with the haunted houses and there have been many paranormal books written about them. None of them had me interested, laughing, and scared all at the same time. It was a great mixture of emotions and suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed. Don is a good friend/coworker that deserves this recognition. He's worked hard for it!

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  12. Manchester House is one of my favorite books, ever! A must read for any true horror fan. And I have to say I love the movie cast picks. I honestly pictured Max Von Sydow as Ingrid Night. Great minds think alike LOL. Great interview, great book.

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  13. Well, it's getting close to midnight in my part of the world, and all great things must come to an end. I enjoyed all your kind words and thoughts. My thanks to E.J. for being a wonderful host. This is a fantastic site and deserves a round of applause (Sounds of people clapping!).

    To those who visit in the future, you can reach me at my website, or email me at: Storywriter1967@yahoo.com. I look forward to talking with you.

    "Manchester House" was quite an adventure for me. FYI...If you end up liking "Ingrid Night" and his friends, I am working on yet another SOURCE adventure. Hopefully, out real soon!

    Again, I thank you for both your time and valuable consideration. Good reading!

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  14. Great interview. I can't wait to read the book!

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  15. Thank you so much Donald for the wonderful interview and your dedication to reader questions. I do hope to have you return soon!

    I am really looking forward to reading Manchester House and am currently stalking my mailbox. My review coming soon. :)

    xx,
    E.J.

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  16. Manchester House is a great book and I suggest everyone read it! (Though you should expect to lose some sleep in the process!)

    Loved the interview. Donald, judging by my own random and often inappropriate thoughts, I know I wouldn't want the power to read minds!

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  17. I'm so excited. My copy of Machester House has arrived and we are in the midst of tremendous thunderstorm. A perfect night for a haunting read!

    xx,
    E.J.

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