In Conversation with Debbie West.

1.) Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself? Give us a brief introduction and tell us where you are based out of?

While born a Buckeye (Ohio), I was raised in Southern California. I was a decent student, but school was not my focus. I preferred to stay in my room and listen to music and write poetry and song lyrics. And read – books have always been my safe place against a crazy world and a sometimes unstable home life. College was an eye-opener and gave me a place to happily study and learn; Indiana University was a great experience. My poetry can be found in various publications; for example, Rolling Stone magazine, back when they published poetry. My professional life was so varied – for better or worse, I was easily bored and sought out different experiences: a legislative aide, cold case investigator, security guard, factory worker, I helped run a drum shop. For sure, a long and diverse resume.Today, I’m writing full-time and living an active life in Arizona. Being outdoors not only encourages good health but also creativity.

2.) What inspired you to be an artist? What gravitated you towards writing?

A love for words -- the rhythm, the subtle nuances you can create, even visually examining the words. I’m not a good audible book customer; I want to look at the page. Also, writing is such an incredible escape from the world; as a writer, you get to create worlds. I still find it crazy how a story will veer off in a way you didn’t expect, and it ends up being better than your own detailed outline. Outlines are great, but as a writer you need to trust your instincts and remain open to “playing” with your story. Listen to your characters, maybe they have other ideas than what’s in the outline. Of course, you can’t underestimate the hard work – staring at a blank page, solving structural problems, etc. But pulling an interesting story together is worth the difficult times. When the writings going well, the process is so rewarding. And fun.

3.) Who most inspires/influences your style and specific execution currently and why?

I know I’m guilty of being a bit “flowery” sometimes with my novel writing, because I love manipulating words. You certainly can’t accuse me of following the Hemingway minimalist school of novel writing. Scriptwriting, however, is a whole different animal where a more sparse style is preferred. I love that challenge, where it becomes a sort of poetry. The choice of words becomes very precise. I will say, while I don’t have a specific influence currently, I am continually amazed by the great screenplays from the 1970s, specifically The Exorcist, which is so much more than a horror flick. The way that script lures you in, the emotional pull to care about those characters. And then the pure terror. It’s such powerful writing. That’s inspiring.

4.) As a creator, what do you find to be the thing that most drives you to succeed?

The chance to continually tell stories. Facing more creative challenges is also important to me, especially as I get older. It’s very important to keep the mental juices flowing. For example, when Logan (writer, actor, director and head of Penalty Productions®) suggested I join the team and write for Michael Bannon, I really debated whether I should. I had never written a western before. But I quickly saw the offer as a great challenge. I studied the history of that time and instantly had ideas to add to the already great pool of scripts. It was so much fun to embrace this new, ambitious project and step outside what I thought was my comfort zone. The drive to succeed is based on meeting more challenges and growing as a writer.

5.) What’s the title of your current project?

I have many right now. My fantasy-thriller novel The Immortalist is now available on Amazon under the author name D.G. West. I’m currently writing the second book in the series. The Michael Bannon project is moving forward and should be in book form sometime this year. Logan and I have written a screenplay titled Strangers in the Night, which is moving closer and closer to a film date. And I’m writing lyrics for a full rock album, though I have no singer/songwriter attached just yet; this is definitely a passion project.

6.) What is the single greatest lesson you learned along the creation of these particular projects?

That I am capable of doing more than I realize. Maybe you’re faced with a new, perhaps scary project – why not give it a try? Beyond exercising your writing muscles, taking on new challenges is important if you want to be a full, healthy human being. And at my age, I have many experiences throughout my life I can bring to the writer’s table.

7.) Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Just to say thank you for this opportunity. I have no doubt Penalty Productions® has a great future ahead. I’m very excited by the ambitious level of commitment and creativity.