For me, when I 'discover' a story, there is a feeling of buoyancy and clarity, perhaps similar to early morning out on a prairie highway, when darkness lifts and reveals the outline of farmhouses and copses of trees in the distance. David Bergen buoyancyclaritycopse share on social
Invite characters of surprising and moral character, or at least those who grapple with what is right or those who make decisions that shock. David Bergen characterdecisiongrapple Change image and share on social
I usually submit a novel at a certain number of words, and when I've finished working with my editor, the novel is longer than when I submitted it. I need my editor to help me open up the story. David Bergen editorfinishhave Change image and share on social
I always have a book that I use that somehow inspires my novels. David Bergen bookinspirenovel Change image and share on social
When I get moved to write a story, I don't question the story. I dive right in, and I try to ignore the voices that are chattering away at me: 'You can't do that', 'You shouldn't do that'. I just sort of leap and take a chance and go for it. David Bergen chancechatterdive share on social
I like characters who are contradictory. David Bergen charactercontradictory Change image and share on social
The story wrote quickly. I called it 'Where You're From,' and I sent it out, as I had numerous other stories over the years. Except this time I got a letter back saying that it would be published. Someone out there had liked the story. I was thirty-one years old. David Bergen backcallletter share on social
I think my writing was certainly shaped from having lived in a place like Niverville as well as by the family that I came from, the religion that I had, that type of thing. David Bergen familyliveniverville Change image and share on social
At the age of twenty, having published nothing and having had little guidance in my reading, I decided that I wanted to write. David Bergen agedecideguidance Change image and share on social
In 1970, at the age of 14, I entered a short story contest offering a grand prize of one dollar. I won. This was my first foray into writing fiction. I loved reading and thought that it shouldn't be so hard to write a story. David Bergen agecontestdollar share on social