Meet Our Guest

David L. Robbins is a distinguished author, playwright, and university educator. Several of his novels are NY Times Bestsellers with some optioned for film.

His historical work on Aaron Burr, The King of Crimes was broadcasted nationally on PBS.

In addition to writing and teaching, he’s founded several community organizations, including River Writers (a non-profit) that helps aspiring writers. He has co-founded the Podium Foundation, supporting writing for city youth.

His The Mighty Pen Project gives Virginian veterans and their families training to turn their memoirs of military service into written, archived narrative. Frontline Writers is his writing program for Richmond area first responders.

In 2018, David was named one of the two Most Inspiring Writers in Virginia for the Past Fifty Years by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Questions We Asked This Guest Include:

  • Describe several characteristics of a well-told story, characteristics that are present in every successful tale.
  • Can you give us some examples? Such as: point of view, tension, integration of setting, purpose of dialogue, role of action, dynamic writing, strong verbs, character selection. (First pages, self-editing, outlining, info-dumps, etc.)
  • Explain how talent and inspiration cannot come to the foreground for any writer until some competence and understanding is achieved regarding technique and editing skills.
  • What are some of the challenges to writing historical fiction?
  • What are the 3 key elements for new writers in this particular category?
  • Tell us about your new upcoming book Isaac’s Beacon, when and where can we find it?
Website | + posts

David L. Robbins is a distinguished author, playwright, and university educator. Several of his novels are NY Times Bestsellers with some optioned for film.

His historical work on Aaron Burr, The King of Crimes was broadcasted nationally on PBS.

In addition to writing and teaching, he’s founded several community organizations, including River Writers (a non-profit) that helps aspiring writers. He has co-founded the Podium Foundation, supporting writing for city youth.

His The Mighty Pen Project gives Virginian veterans and their families training to turn their memoirs of military service into written, archived narrative. Frontline Writers is his writing program for Richmond area first responders.

In 2018, David was named one of the two Most Inspiring Writers in Virginia for the Past Fifty Years by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.