I wanted to write about the external forces that shape our lives and how we deal with them and ultimately evolve as people. 

David A Anderson – 24 April 2025

The Back Flap

For Aaron, this world is an unfathomable puzzle. Haunted by disturbing dreams, he drifts through empty days, shielding himself behind sarcasm and cynical wit. After being expelled, he sees an opportunity to rewrite his future at a new school. Connecting over a shared love for De Niro films with Robbie, an aspiring actor of Jamaican descent, he unexpectedly finds his companion piece, one person who truly understands him. Together, they navigate the chaotic waters of adolescence, from dramatic first dates to sociopathic bullies, iconic concerts, drugs, and a dead body.

With adulthood fast approaching, can their unique bond survive the crushing weight of societal pressures and devastating revelations? Confronted by the ghosts of his past, Aaron must choose whether to blaze bright or fade away.

A funny and poignant meditation on the forces that shape us, The Drowners transports us back to a time when our tolerance for hypocrisy was zero and life seemed infinite.

An early draft of this novel won a 2021 YA Watty award.

About the book

What is the book about?

Set in 90s Dublin, The Drowners is a coming-of-age story, narrated by 15-year-old Aaron as he navigates the choppy waters of adolescence. On his journey, he meets Robbie, an aspiring actor of Jamaican descent with whom he forms an insoluble bond. The novel explores themes of friendship, identity, and mental health.

When did you start writing the book?

I typed out the first page of The Drowners when #COVID19 was trending and we stopped associating lockdown with prison movies.

How long did it take you to write it?

Like the David Bowie song, it took Five Years. I would write a draft. Shelve it. Get that incurable itch to return. Draft a fresh version. Rinse and repeat. Until, Hallelujah, I hit upon the right blend of humor and heartbreak, and most importantly, finally, I heard my voice breaking through.

Where did you get the idea from?

The story is pretty much semi-autobiographical, so really it was about picking episodes from my life that followed a trajectory and not simply a random scattering of anecdotes. That only works if you are famous, and those anecdotes involve other celebrities. I wanted to write about the external forces that shape our lives and how we deal with them and ultimately evolve as people.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

There were a couple of chapters that I dreaded writing. Events I never imagined discussing with another human being, let alone putting in a novel that anyone can read. Emotionally, it was a draining experience, but also, liberating. Opening the shutters and allowing sunlight to flood through the house.

What came easily?

Being a teenager might be 80% boredom, and 10% angst, but that other 10% is pure joy. When you could have fun without worrying about what comes after. The thrill of discovery. When you found excitement wherever you went looking for it. Just reliving those moments for a brief while had me floating about like Peter Pan.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

All the characters are composites. This was not done for readability, but to ensure privacy. I have every right to proclaim my story to the world, but I have no business revealing anybody’s secrets. So, on the trillion-to-one chance this book ever became a hit, no amateur Sherlock Holmes could track down the ‘real’ people, as all the character descriptions are fictitious. They are separate entities who happen to share ‘similar’ experiences with several different real-life people.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

George V. Higgins taught me the value of ‘real’ dialogue. Characters that you can hear, as though they are sitting next to you. To get inside the head of a character, I would recommend reading any Patricia Highsmith novel. Brevity is an art form, and there are precious few better artists than Elmore Leonard. He could describe a scene in three words. I still have so much to learn from Elmore.

Do you have a target reader?

No. I don’t believe there is such a thing. A good book can be enjoyed by anyone. One of the greatest books I have ever read is Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Sure, we all have preferences. When it comes to film, tense, unpredictable Psychological thrillers are my bag. Yet, one of my favourite movies is The Station Agent, an understated comedy-drama about loneliness. Half the reviewers who critiqued my book don’t read YA and they all enjoyed the story.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

When the sky turns black it’s not just stars that appear. For me it’s ideas. Sometimes, after I’ve wrapped the cozy duvet around me, I’ll be impelled to sprint naked through the freezing apartment to jot down the thought on the back of a utility bill. In the morning light, I’ll forensically inspect these ideas for flaws. By afternoon, I’m ready to write a scene.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

In the strictest definition of the word, I outline. Chapter number. And a one line description.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Only after I am finished. The first draft is the foundation. The second is when you build the house. The third is adding windows, doors, pipes, and cables. Finally, the fourth, is interior design, when you transform a building into a home. Adding, the white wool rug to compliment the cobalt blue couch. The little flourishes that turn an enjoyable experience into a memorable one.

Did you hire a professional editor?

As the archetypical starving artist I could no more afford to splurge on a marketing campaign as I could on a professional editor. However, my book has been reviewed by three professional editors and a retired book critic for a major Texan newspaper, and not one had any complaints about my style. That’s not to say I don’t think I need to improve as a writer. Every day, I strive to perfect my craft.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

That’s a real mood one. Some days music is the perfect accompaniment on my writing journey—helping me get in the zone. On other days, it’s a hindrance: One more external interference, playing havoc with my mind’s ability to arrange a simple sentence.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes. The second draft of my story had won a 2021 YA Watty award and I thought I had it made. While the rejection notes were complimentary, they didn’t feel it would appeal to today’s teens. And they were correct. Because of the personal nature of the story, I had deliberately removed myself from the MC. Which resulted in an emotionally distant narrator, surrounded by a vivid cast of characters whom the audience loved. By the time I had rewritten the story in my own voice, I didn’t have the option to reapply. Rules of the game; Unless you are specifically invited to resubmit, you don’t.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Greed. I saw 70% royalties and dollar signs filled my wide blue eyes. Why give away my potential earnings to a small-press, when I could do it all myself? There are more reasons than words in the Oxford Dictionary. But, I’ve made my bed and now, I have to lie in it. If I had a do-over, I would take the other route.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

DIY. I haven’t had a hot shower in 9 months, so hiring a professional cover designer wasn’t a viable option. Huge mistake. I personally like the cover; it’s got an old-school JAWS-type look. However, it lacks that professional sheen, and books are judged by their covers. The only time books were solely judged on their contents was when the printing press first came into use.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

If you have read this far, then you already know the answer. Well, I do have a ‘plan’. It involves getting as many reviewers as possible. Conducting interviews, in the vain hope that a reader might get a taste of my personality through my answers and decide to sample my book.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

This isn’t Pot Noodles: don’t expect instant results. We’ve all read about EL James. She is the exception that proves the rule. 99% of authors will struggle. Even great ones. What no self-help guru or marketeer will tell you is the universe is governed by randomness. Luck plays as big a role in success as talent. But, why not roll the dice and see what comes up? All I’m suggesting is you manage your expectations. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Cold, wet, windy Dublin.

Where do you live now?

Humid, sunny, blue-skied Spain.

What would you like readers to know about you?

An avowed cynic, I have a defiantly optimistic streak. Life has floored me more times than Mike Tyson has K.O.’d opponents, but I keep dragging myself back to my feet. Survivor or masochist? I guess that’s the existential question.

What are you working on now?

I’m retouching Cracked Actors, a Psychological Thriller best described as Doubt meets Taxi Driver for the Digital Age.

End of Interview:

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Get your copy of The Drowners from Amazon US or Amazon UK.