We were lucky to catch up with David Green recently and have shared our conversation below.

David, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve written a number of books, but the one that’s most meaningful to me is the one I currently have on submission through my agent: ‘Magic, Maps, and Mischief’.

I’m autistic, and I strongly feel autistic representation in mass-market media has a long way to go before it can be called balanced, fair, or accurate. More often than not, in books, TV and film, autistic people are painted as Rain Man or Sheldon Cooper. We’re often the butt of the joke, and never the protagonist. There is little nuance.

With ‘Magic, Maps, and Mischief’, I set out to write a cosy fantasy adventure from the point-of-view of an elderly autistic man, drawing on my own lived experience to colour the character’s perspective and to try and show the joys and challenges we autistics face… While telling a fun, loving and kind story anyone could enjoy.

David, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m based in Galway, Ireland and have been writing fantasy for a number of years. I got into the industry without really knowing what I was doing beside the need to write, which had been with me since childhood.

Community is important to me, so I searched for like-minded people and societies I could join, like the British Fantasy Society (I’m now the secretary). From there, I started attending conventions like Fantasycon and joined online groups like Indie Fantasy Addicts.

My writing is very much centred on found families and explore identity, whilst telling fantastical stories like the ones I grew up reading. I’m also an accredited editor, and enjoy helping writers create the best version of the book they’re trying to write. With this in mind, I do my best to listen to my clients’ voice and not impose my own style on their work. I think this is vitally important as an editor.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It’s always seeing what readers enjoy about my work.

For me, once a book is completed and out in the world, it doesn’t belong to me anymore. The book belongs to the reader, and their relationship and reaction to it is completely theirs. I love finding out about what resonates with them as they explore the worlds I’ve built. It’s also amazing to receive any fan art or fan fiction. There’s little else better than inspiring someone else creatively.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

That sometimes you need a break – or to do something else creative – to let your inspiration grow again.

Writing is solitary and sometimes you can feel a lot of pressure to create, even if you’re tired, or work is a drain, or real life is demanding. A lot of writers feel guilty for not working, but often a break is the best thing to do. And as enjoyable as writing is, it can’t be done if the well is dry. But breaks, and doing other creative things, can unlock and restore our energy. So when you find us going for a walk, or listening to music, playing videogames or reading a book when we’re meant to be working, we actually are working! It’s just a different kind of work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://davidgreenwriter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidgreenwriter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/davidgreensreaderverseofmadness
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/davidgreenwriter.bsky.social

Image Credits

Book art created by Liz Delton.