Donnie Whetstone resides in Rochester, Washington with his wife Diane. He is a full time personal trainer with over twenty years of experience and more than 70,000 training hours in homes, gyms and his own private training studio. Donnie is currently the co-owner of Fit Stop 24 Fitness Centers located in both Olympia and Yelm, Washington.
Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?
A: I never wrote stories as a child, but I spent most of my grade school years in honors art, winning several art awards. I didn’t take art my junior year of high school, I lost the taste for it, but I missed the mental escapes I got from it. I had acquired all the credits I needed to graduate the middle of my senior year. To pass the time, I took a creative writing class, the year was 1979. I remember my first published piece like it were merely a few months ago, because it was merely a few months ago.
What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?
A: The criticisms and rejections are the most frustrating, without a doubt. I don’t care how flawless a person’s piece may be, someone, whether it’s an agent, a publisher, a reviewer or a reader, will find something to criticize or reject. Your skin thickens over time, but it still sucks. The most rewarding side is the adulation from readers and peers, who are gracious for what our work has given them yet don’t realize, it is they who are giving.
Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?
A: I’m married. My wife’s name is Diane, Di for short. When it comes to the writing life, Di and I couldn’t be a better team. I’m the creative side and she’s the technical side, from formatting, to marketing, to design, etc, etc.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?
A: Despite the trips to Vegas, Hawaii and wherever bodybuilding takes us, the pig outs after contests and the occasional fine dining, the most fun we have, and I think I can speak for both of us, is the two of us sprawled on the sofa like contented cats, on a quiet weekend, watching a good movie. It sounds corny, but it’s true.
If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?
A: Hmm, my knee jerk reaction would be the city of Ulm in Deutschland. I lived there for three of my six years.
It would be great to see my old friends again. Besides, it’s fest season!
Who is your biggest fan?
A: My parents, not knocking anyone else, they’ve known me a lot longer.
Where’s your favorite place to write at home?
A: In the spare upstairs bedroom that currently serves as my office.
Do you have any pets?
A: Yes, three cats, Ace, Izzy and her obnoxious offspring, Ozzy.
Tell us a secret no one else knows.
A: I don’t like Ozzy.
What’s on your to do list today?
A: Cardio: 30 minutes, Training 10 clients; I’ll spare the details, Leg training; that’s gonna hurt, finishing this interview, cooking the rest of this week’s meals when I get home and whatever Di may be up for.
