The world is full of writers, but few of them are convincing and breathtaking.
Few writers have been able to make their lives a moving book, full of experiences worthy of being read.
That's why I admire so much D.R. Hildebrand 'cause he's a passionate model and an outstanding artist of the written word.

He's the author of the novel 'Walking Marina', this is his first published book but he's working on the creation
of other stories hopefully soon to be released.
When a writer tells the life of his characters the way D.R. Hildebrand did, when the writer becomes a character in the story, when the author makes you part of the book, is when the novel becomes relevant, memorable and addictive.
You have to get 'Walking Marina' to see and feel what I'm talking about.

Now, read the third part of the interview we did with the wonderful D.R. Hildebrand.
His lines are givers of life and breath to the eyes and imagination of all those lucky people who read him;
in a world full of blind volunteers, D.R. Hildebrand gives us the opportunity to free our mind and fly in the infinite atmosphere of the good literature.

As an author, what inspires you?

Honesty.  Which is not necessarily truth.  Truth is something said.  Honesty is something done.  There’s a big difference.

When did you decide to embark on the adventure of writing a novel?

It wasn’t until I left graduate school that I realized what it was that I was missing in academia: creativity.  So sometime in 2006 I started writing my first book, and thinking of myself as a writer.

 

Does Danny Ward have a similitude with Raphael, the model?

Definitely not his biography, but certainly some aspects of his constitution.  Many of the characters in Walking Marina share resemblances of some sort or another with me.  As I developed them more and more though, they became more and more their own person.  They became themselves.

 

What was the biggest challenge while you were writing “Walking Marina”?

Conveying certain extremely subtle nuances of etiquette and details within fashion were really hard.  Allowing Marina to be Marina was also a challenge.  I learned a lot by writing Marina’s character.  She taught me things—about life, about literature, about myself—that I never anticipated.

 

Do you have a Marina in your own life?

In my head I do.

 

How did you choose the title?

Read the book!

 

What’s the message you want to send to the world with “Walking Marina”?

I’d like readers to think differently about the people they see so often in print and on television—these people they’re encouraged to idolize.  And then to think differently about themselves, too.

 

What has given you the most satisfaction from your novel?

Addressing a topic which is hardly known and rarely discussed.  It’s great to give a reading and answer questions and watch the audience become increasingly intrigued.  What more could I want?

 

What's next?  Are you planning to write another book, poems, or stories?

Of course.  I’ll always be writing.  I started writing some vignettes on beauty and happiness and self some time ago and I’ve recently returned to them.  I’m writing an article on the modeling industry as well, but for the most part I’m on to my next novel, which has nothing at all to do with modeling.

 

Do you like poetry?

I do.  I write my own from time to time.  I’d like to think my prose is at least a little poetic as well.

 

Do you have any rituals when you write?

No, none.   Every day is different and I follow whatever creativity I feel.  I’m not sure I can fathom ritualizing writing.  I suppose it’s possible but it’s not for me.  It’s just too organic.

 

Tell me, what does the writer D. R. Hildebrand think about Raphael the fashion model?

Oh man.  Am I that schizophrenic?  I guess the writer D. R. Hildebrand thinks Raphael the model could go further with his career, but the writer isn’t sure if the model knows how.  The writer, though, is definitely grateful for the model’s career.  The model has taught the writer a lot.

 

What's your favorite book and who’s your favorite writer?

My favorite writer is Tracy Chapman.  I grew up listening to her music—depending on her music.  There isn’t another writer whose words have influenced me anywhere close to the degree hers have.  As far as a favorite book goes, I definitely can’t name just one.  One Hundred Years of Solitude, Siddhartha, Giovanni’s Room, The Jungle, The Hours, The Virgin Suicides—the list won’t end.  Death Be Not Proud, Of Mice and Men, The Little Prince, The Bell Jar…

 

Do you have a favorite word? (My favorite word is “wonderful.”  It's a melodic and spongy word.)

Chutzpah.  There’s no greater word than chutzpah.  It just stings, like spit in the eye.  Chutzpah!

 

D.R. Hildebrand never ceases to amaze me. I'm so addicted to his answers, he's so clever, so classy, so perfect. My eyes hurt, they had never seen such beauty, glory, genuine talent and genius, all within a single body, mind and soul.
Get now 'Walking Marina', this is the cover. (I promise you will love it or I will cut my own head with a cookie).