Zachary Daniel

Zachary Daniel is Midwest native raised in Germantown, Wisconsin. Now residing in Salem, Oregon he enjoys sports, travel, boating, family, friends and drink.

He graduated University of Wisconsin La-Crosse with a degree in Nuclear Medicine. Not too long after, he transitioned to finance and started Digital Edge Wealth Management.

Daniel's new novel is Manifest Destiny.

My Q&A with the author:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

The title does not immediately do work to bring readers into the story, it instead brings on meaning as the story develops. Manifest Destiny is a historical term used to describe how colonial America could not be held east of the Mississippi, instead destined to expand across from sea to shining sea. This is a play on the main characters anger, grief and holding onto the past. It cannot be held back and eventually let out.

However, the story brings you in quickly. You are thrust into action from the beginning and are left trying to catch up to what Nick the main character is up to. As the beginning develops, the bigger picture opens up.

What's in a name?

Truthfully, I picked the main character name as Nick to be as generic as possible. In order to leave as many readers without a preconceived notion of the character as possible. Allowing the book to establish and imprint on the name, not the readers experiences/persons in their own life.

How surprised would your teenage reader self be by your novel?

Incredibly surprised. I hated writing during that time. As I've grown I have come to appreciate the medium and what words can do. I had a story to tell the world and writing was the best medium.

Do you find it harder to write beginnings or endings? Which do you change more?

I think it's harder to write endings. You have to wrap up a lot of narrative structure from the story and stay consistent to all you developed.

Do you see much of yourself in your characters? Do they have any connection to your personality, or are they a world apart?

I see myself a little in a couple of characters, the most being the main character. Really only in the quirkier parts of their personality or actions. The core of the character is nothing like me. I am a carefree, jovial and adventurous. I have never done anything violent and rarely get angry. I don't hold onto the past except for fond memories and learning experiences. It took a lot to get into character to write the darker elements of the main character because of this.

Visit Zach Daniel's website.

The Page 69 Test: Manifest Destiny.

--Marshal Zeringue