David-Matthew Barnes Q & Awith

When did you discover your love for writing?

I fell in love with writing at the early age of 7. I wrote a Halloween-themed story titled ‘The Blue Witch’. My second- grade teacher recognized my love of storytelling and really encouraged me. Thanks to my sixth-grade drama teacher, my first play was produced when I was only 11. The script was a tribute to soap operas titled ‘Life Isn’t Easy.’ By the time I was 13, I was writing plays and short stories on a second-hand typewriter.

When did you realize that it was more of a calling on your life and purpose, rather than a hobby?

I’m a writer today because when I was 13, a woman named Norma Fox Mazer changed my life.

My eighth-grade world was lit on fire when it was announced Norma Fox Mazer - one of my favorite authors - would be making a guest appearance at our school. After some serious campaigning to the junior high powers that be, I was one of the few students selected to have lunch with her in the library. I was beyond thrilled, having read every book she’d written. Although I was terribly star struck, I bravely showed her a section of a short story I was working on at the time and told her how much I wanted to be a writer.

Norma Fox Mazer scanned over the first page and informed me, “You already are.”

Two years later, I published my first short story. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Do you have a favorite genre of writing?

I do. It’s a close tie between writing young adult fiction and horror stories. I love both equally. They were my first loves, in terms of genres.

How many books and plays have you written? I have written sixteen books and 70 stage plays.

Do you have a writing ritual?

Music is such an inspiration to me. For every project I write, I create a playlist comprised of songs that have either inspired the story or are similar in tone and style to the project. Later, once the project is done, if I start to miss the story or the characters, I’ll listen to the playlist to remember both.

In terms of my creative process, I write every day, including weekends. I usually write very early in the morning. I write one thousand words a day. They’re not always great words, but I get them down on paper and then go back and edit them later. What keeps you grounded?

Definitely my family. They’re very supportive of everything I do, but they’re quick to remind me how important balance is.

How do you stay inspired?

My constant objective as a screenwriter is to tell the best story I can, specifically a story that can only be told on the screen. With every script I write, my goal is to create as much tension and authentic emotion on the page as possible to provide every audience member with a transformative experience.

Most of my work is female-centric and youth-themed. Writing for and about women is something I’m very committed to. I really enjoy telling stories about ordinary people experiencing extraordinary circumstances and how the experience changes them and their life.

Is writer’s block real, and how do you get through it?

I’ve never suffered from writer’s block. I have the opposite experience. My imagination is usually in overdrive creating and discovering new story ideas. I get new ideas all day long. The challenge is deciding which ideas are worth pursuing - which ideas are worthy of becoming a story.

I consider myself a professional eavesdropper. I get many ideas from conversations that I overhear. I’m really lucky because story ideas seem to find me. I do incorporate some personal experiences into my writing, but the majority of what I create is from a place of imagination.

With your incredible success, comes failure. What was your biggest, failure, flop, mistake, and how did you bounce back?

I’ve had many, many failures in my career. Often, you expect a project to be successful and then when it doesn’t happen, you have to process those emotions and learn from them. Many times, a project of mine has come very close to careerchanging success, only to fall apart before it reaches the finish line. This has happened to me a lot with film and television projects. In those instances, it’s tough to navigate the letdown, the realization that something you’re very passionate about isn’t going to get the life you want it to have. In those instances, the fate of a project wasn’t completely in my hands. In the industry I’m in, the most difficult lesson for me has been learning how much you need other people to level up.

You’re also a film and stage play director and producer. How do you manage wearing such a variety of hats?

I feel very blessed. I feel as if I’ve experienced many careers in one. Each of the elements of my creative life are very fulfilling in different ways. All of it comes from a love of creative expression and storytelling. I learn from each experience I’m a part of- as a writer, as a director, as a producer. For me, the most important thing is to be present for those experiences - to be aware of the growth and the blessing of being there.

How important is having a support system to you?

Having a support system means everything to me. I’m very fortunate to have an extraordinary support system comprised of people who want the best for me, but also want me to be the best version of myself. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without my support system. My heart is filled with gratitude for them. Always.

How do you protect precious personal and family time, without neglecting anyone, anything or feeling guilty?

This was a challenge for me earlier in my career. I had to learn the value of a healthy work/life balance. In the beginning I was so focused on moving forward in my career, that other parts of my life suffered because of it. Today, I’m really aware of the necessity of experiencing the beauty of both - the personal and the professional. Each make me who I am.

What are you most excited about?

Can you share anything wonderful with us?

I’m so excited about my upcoming projects. I have many new stories in the works, including new stage plays, novels, and screenplays. I’m finishing my first horror novel, about two female serial killers. It’s called Dummy and it’s a literary love letter to all the horror writers and films that have inspired me. Over the last year, I’ve served as a producer of many films, mostly horror movies, some international films, and a handful of independent films. Many of these will be released in the upcoming months and I can’t wait to share them with the world.

We’ve known each other for 20 years. You and your incredible work ethic have always been an inspiration to me. How do you stay inspired?

People inspire me. The stories that are shared with me need to be shared with others. I’m really just a satellite, a conduit. I really enjoy writing about seemingly ordinary people experiencing extraordinary situations. It’s my passion. I’m also very fascinated with writing about people from different cultures. For that reason, many of my plays feature characters and themes related to cultures other than my own. As a novelist, I’ve written many books for young people, which is also the case with my plays. I’ve been very fortunate that young audiences (and actors) have responded well to many of plays, letting me know they connect with the language, emotions, and characters, including the handful of plays I’ve written for and about gay youth. A common link does exist among many of my characters, as most of them are searching for a better place to exist, both physically and emotionally. The journeys of my characters searching for something more is where I draw my inspiration from.

How can our readers follow you and stay connected to you?

I invite anyone who’s interested to visit my website, which is www.dmatthewb.com.

Is there anything else you’d like to say or share?

If you’re thinking about writing, do it. You are the only one who can tell your story. It belongs to you and only you, so own it. Believe in your ability to tell a great story. Don’t let anyone deter you from writing or following your dreams. They’re yours to make come true.