David Marion Wilkinson has been a member of the Writers’ League of Texas off and on since the early 1990s. His most recent novel, Where the Mountains Are Thieves, was published in October of 2013. He makes his home in Austin, Texas.
Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?
David Marion Wilkinson: I have published historical fiction, contemporary mainstream fiction, and non-fiction memoir (with Joaquin Jackson, Texas Rangers, ret.)
Scribe: What authors would you like to have coffee or a beer with and which beverage?
DMW: Whiskey with J. Frank Dobie and John Graves. Water with Hemingway and Fitzgerald. Coffee with Michael Chabon. Green tea with Joan Didion.
Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?
DMW: FINEGAN’S WAKE, or maybe INFINITE JEST.
Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers League?
DMW: In the early years, I learned a lot about craft and technique. For many years, the Agents (and editors) conference has been a huge networking experience with industry professionals. I always come away from it with great information, new opportunities and more hope. Mostly, I’ve learned to appreciate the relationships I’ve built with other writers and kindred spirits. It seems like writing gets a little tougher each year, especially with the changes in the publishing industry over the last ten years. It’s great to have a support group like WLT to help you get more information about how to deal with it.
Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
DMW: I’m doing quite a bit of screenwriting these days. I enjoy it, and it pays better than my fiction career ever did. But I hope to get back to writing big historical novels again. They have always been my passion.
Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world?
DMW: I still love this job.
