Interview with the Author of Echoes of Fortune - David R Leng

David R. Leng, known for his expertise in risk management and insurance, brings his storytelling prowess to the world of historical thrillers with this gripping novel. With over 30 years of industry experience, Leng is the author of several international bestsellers, including Insured to Fail and The 10 Laws of Insurance Attraction. His innovative work has saved clients over $60 million in premiums and overcharges. As the Chief Risk Officer and Executive Partner of the Duncan Financial Group, Leng is recognized for his contributions to risk management and his commitment to industry excellence. In his personal life, he enjoys boating, skiing, woodworking, and supporting local high school musical productions. His debut novel is not his first foray into fiction, having written short stories enjoyed by family and friends, and reflects his deep passion for captivating storytelling.

Q&A

What inspired you to write your first book?
I've been writing my whole life, whether it be short stories, articles for business groups, or books to help business leaders understand and tackle the challenges they face. Being fascinated by history and aware of the legend of Braddock's Lost Gold, I came up with the idea while kayaking on the Youghiogheny River almost a decade ago. I worked up a general outline for it and tweaked it over time.

My mother was a teacher and enjoyed reading and proofing my writings. Unfortunately, she became ill with cancer and fought it for six years. I had just started writing my fourth business book when she went into hospice. It was the last thing she worked on with me, and while she was proofing it, she made me promise to write the story about Braddock's Gold.

How did you come up with the title?

The original working title was Braddock's Gold, but I did not feel it conveyed any mystery and would sound like a history book or a treasure search. The idea of Echoes of Fortune had more to do with having two stories within the book. The one playing out today, with all the confrontations and challenges facing the main characters, but also the parallel story that played out in 1755, allowing the past to speak, the echo, and help convey how and why things occurred that lead to the legend.

How much of the book is realistic?

The legend of Braddock's Gold has been around since 1755. However, I was floored when my beta readers would email me or call, saying that they were fact-checking my story, looking things up on the internet, and how shocked they were when they found out the details were actually true.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I grew up in the region where Braddock's campaign took place, and I continue to spend many weekends in Garrett County, where most of the story takes place. The characters are based on the people that surround me, or I grew up with. For example, my unassuming, quiet wife can be a bit of a badass. Everyone's jaws drop when they hear some of the things she does, like scuba diving or jumping off a cliff and into a river. She's the "don't judge a book by its cover" person, as she can be fierce when she needs to be.

Another is the best friend of the main character is based on my best friend growing up. He's a brilliant engineer, one of the top of our high school class, and won the top engineer student award at Penn State, but he also has black belts in Hapkido and Taekwondo and always tries to make you laugh. The character's last name came from his one nickname when the engineering school put the wrong last name in the awards program.

What book are you reading now?

Clive Cussler's The Corsican Shadow. But I am also reading a book on the Civil War as I have an idea for a sequel for the same characters, but you shouldn't expect a treasure hunt this time.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Several factions in the Confederate South went into hiding towards the end of the Civil War. Some were given millions by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to help fund another war. Let's just say, one of those groups comes out of hiding.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Tolkien, Second place is not even close. It is the vast details of his stories that he created and the feelings you experience as you read them that I love. But from a thriller or mystery standpoint, I like Clive Cussler, Dan Brown, Agatha Christie, and James Patterson.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Editing was the hardest. Once I started going from outline to draft, it took five months. Once I have an outline, I can see the story in my mind's eye, and I start to write. However, as you write, you will realize some things have to change, or the story must flow differently. You can make those changes as you go, but I noted them on the outline so that I could bring all the little things to closure. Reviewing my outline while editing was when I realized I left two things out there that I had to close. It was editing that took almost a year. The original story was almost 190,000 words long, which was enormous. The story was good, but there were areas that dragged on, and I was a little uncomfortable with the original ending. So, for example, I searched for a beta reader with a background in criminal investigations and found one that worked for Scottland Yard. For any confrontations or military, I can lean on my friend Steve, who was a platoon sergeant in the Marines. My friend Uhurina is incredible when it comes to the emotions of the characters. But even as they helped improve the quality of the story, it took a long time to condense the story without sacrificing the story itself. When it was all said and done, the book lost a third of its weight, which actually made it a better read.

Do you ever experience writer's block?

Yes. I found that going off and doing something else, like a bicycle ride, hiking, or kayaking, helped clear my mind. But that was when my mind actually started to come up with the ideas or solutions.

What is your favorite positive saying?

Being a hockey fan and in sales professionally, I would have to say, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky.

What is your favorite movie and why?

James Bond is my favorite film, followed by Indiana Jones. Although the story of each James Bond is similar, you know Bond will "get the girl" and win in the end; it is the constant challenges and twists that keeps you guessing what's next and the excitement of the ride that you enjoy. Plus, it was my dad's favorite movie series. I think we (my dad, my brother, and I) went to opening night together from the late '70s through the mid-90s. You know Indiana Jones will get the treasure in the end, but the story, the history, is what draws you in.

Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?

Depends. I listen to audiobooks when I drive. But for vacation, or sitting on the back deck, there is nothing like having the physical book in your hands.

What is your most unusual writing quirk?

I am terrible at typing, so I use Dragon for voice-to-text. "I've been doing the voice-to-text for so long comma that I am able to speak with punctuation comma like it is a second language period. New paragraph…"

Give a shout-out to a fellow author.

My editor, Stephen A. White, has written over a dozen novels. They are quite enjoyable, which I would call short horror-mystery novels. They are a great read for when I travel. I can pick one up and finish it on the plane rides.

What is your favorite time to write, and why?

First thing in the morning, when there are no distractions. Usually from 5-6:30/7 in the morning. However, there were times that I felt fresh when I got home from work and could work for a few hours on the book.

Echoes of Fortune: The Search for Braddock's Lost Gold is available for purchase on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDF6S5CZ

For more information about the author and his works, visit David Leng's website or follow him on Facebook

Website: http://www.DavidLeng.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.leng.14

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This release was published on openPR.