Interview with Daryl Dittmer, Author of When You Stop Fighting: The Road You’re On is Your Own Asphalt

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write When You Stop Fighting: The Road You’re On is Your Own Asphalt?

I’ve lived an interesting and eventful life, complete with self-imposed problems, challenges, numerous lessons, and eventually, many solutions. I found out there are ways to live that are effective, gratifying, and much less painful! I have felt for many years that I had something to give back and I have tried to give back, just not in the form of a book, until now. This is my second book with which to attempt to help some folks through their tough times. My desire is to share my story so that I can help others through the challenges they face.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of When You Stop Fighting: The Road You’re On is Your Own Asphalt, what would they be?

“Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I have felt like I’ve wanted to experience real freedom my entire life, and for some time now, I have, for which I am truly grateful.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I really enjoy many different genres, including History and Self-Help, but Biographies and Memoirs are at the top of the list. I love learning about what makes people tick and how they choose, or have chosen, to live their lives. To me, these are what makes the world go around … the people and how they interact and learn in a world that seems to be increasingly more challenging for so many reasons. Coincidentally, it is also my favorite genre to write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

There are many books in my line up right now. Some I’m reading for friends and some I have slated to re-read, which I often do. Here’s a few in the queue: Beyond Order by Jordan Peterson; Hunting Eichman by Neal Bascomb; The Tao Te Ching (re-read for the 10th time?); The Lost Booklets of Emmet Fox; and When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough by Harold Kushner.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There are so many memories that come flooding back into consciousness as I write, and my days learning to be comfortable on a racing sailboat really brought back a flood of emotion. Here’s a little taste of one of those stories: “Don’t break my boat!” said Ted, the owner, when he looked at me for the first time. Ted was a very wealthy dude and owned a new seventy-foot racing sailboat. I was a blue-collar kid, early thirties, doing things that, to me, felt way, way above my pay grade. I was invited to be the “grinder” on Ted’s boat for Antigua Race Week. Not because I was a sailor or in any way fit for the task from an experiential perspective. I was, though, big, strong, and very difficult to wear out. I smiled at him. “I guess we’ll see.”

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I love to write before the sun rises, so about 3 or 4 AM is when I like to start. I sit in my writing space, light off, pajamas and robe on. All is extremely quiet where we live. Just me and my thoughts, pecking away at the keyboard. Sometimes I can be there for most of the day, clad in pajamas and robe, not concerned with anything else, other than writing. Nothing better.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I do, because I’ve seen it work in my life. It’s an African Proverb and it really hits me every time, because it’s so true: “When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” I also really enjoy watching it unfold in other people’s lives, as they change and grow.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That no matter where you begin, if you want your life to improve, and become more wonderful than you can currently imagine, you must start. You don’t have to be good at it to start. You don’t even have to like it to start. However, you must start. And then not quit. This can be difficult but it’s a path that most people who have achieved their “True North” have chosen.

Daryl Dittmer is the author of the new book When You Stop Fighting: The Road You’re On is Your Own Asphalt

Connect with Daryl Dittmer

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book