BookView Review

Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors..

Recently, we interviewed Dan Bar Hava about his writing and his recently released books in The 36 Watchers Series, a gripping, intense, and wildly twisty supernatural thriller series.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

When I was 7 years old, me and my friend used to cross this field to shorten our way back

Home from school, He told me that there is one thorn in that field, that, if I get cut by it, I DIE!

I totally believed him…

How often do you base your characters on real people?

Very rare, I did name my protagonist Jenna, after a very cool Jenna I happen to know.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

Two books and two screenplays.

What does literary success look like to you?

When I will overhear people talking about my work in a restaurant, coffee shop, mall or subway station / train.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Very extensive research, I populate my books with myths, science, para-science, historical and semi-historical characters, theories and other goodies, it is very important for me that, when a reader’s curiosity is awakened they go online and find that what I am talking about exists. Then, they read my

Take on it and hopefully, end up thinking – “Hey, maybe the 36 watchers do exist!…”.

Do you find writing therapeutic?

It took me 4 years to write book I, and two weeks to write most of book II.

It was the height of COVID, My stepmother committed suicide, I had to go to Israel, and I had to isolate

Myself for two weeks as per the very strict Israeli COVID protocol for out of country visitors.

The two weeks were spent at the house she hung herself. I could not sleep, barely ate, did not what to do with myself, could not watch TV, grief was eating me. I ended up writing, turned tragedy into triumph,

So yes, Writing helped me.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing a novel?

Get the blue print, beginning to end, done, once this is done, I feel ready.

Blue print includes the arc, the stops along the way and the characters and their individual uniqueness.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Exhausts me – in the best possible way!

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

I remember thinking and saying things like “characters are vehicles to move the story” or

“Characters are props”, BAD, BAD BAD!! Which is why I enjoy when reviews like the ones I include links to point out how they enjoy the characters of Jenna, my protagonist, and her uncle Josh, the “Merlin”

Of the series.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Characters are NOT props! They are all important!!!

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

The money I paid my publisher, they have been working with me since 2018, and I could not be happier.

How do you select the names of your characters?

I taste the names in my mouth, feel the association and it just FEELS right.

Do you read your book reviews? Do they please you or annoy you? Do you think you can learn a lot from reading criticism about your work?

I do read them and I do learn from them.

What are your favorite books?

The Dune saga, Andromeda strain, The lord of the Rings trilogy, The name of the rose.

The chronicles of the princes of Amber, to name a few.

Who and what ultimately inspired you to become a writer?

That is an excellent question. I actually do not know. I will need to keep thinking about this one.

How did you decide which form or genre was right for you?

The form came from Michael Crichton books. The genre came from me being fascinated by the existing and very enigmatic myth of the 36 righteous souls from ancient Jewish scriptures, or the “Lamed Vav” As they are called by those in the know.

What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

Frank Herbert, Tolkien, Michael Crichton, Roger Zelazny (I keep hoping for a movie!!!), Umberto Echo.

After the writing’s finished, how do you judge the quality of your work?

I read it over and over again, listening to rhythm and pacing, and I have my group who I send stuff too, to get their feedback.

How do you begin a book?

The book has to begin itself, I wait for that moment, and then it comes.

What’s more important: characters or plot?

Characters, however, plot is a very, very, very close second.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?

Action sequences are hard to write, and, when coupled with supernatural elements are even harder.

I treated myself to an entire ice cream cake after doing the final action scene in book II.

If asked, what would your friends and family say about you?

Why doesn’t he get married?

Would you rather read a book or watch television?

I like both equally.

If you could only change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Like chocolate a little bit less.

Are you a feeler or a thinker?

More of a thinker.

What is your greatest failure? What did you learn from that failure?

My greatest failure is not doing officer training during my military service. I think it would have enhanced who I am in a very good way, I learned from it to think big picture.

Tell us some more about your book.

Here is a very good synopsis for both books:

Embark on a riveting journey into the clandestine world of The 36 Watchers: Book II Spring. Within the realm of this gripping series, the true secret society that stands as humanity’s shield against the ultimate evil is unveiled—the 36 Watchers. Unlike the superficial facades of other organizations such as Freemasons, Illuminati, Templars, and Rosicrucians, the Watchers hold the key to mankind’s protection.

In the first installment, we are introduced to the courageous heroine, Jenna, as she undertakes her transformation into a Watcher. Alongside Jenna, we uncover a hidden history, unraveling the mysteries surrounding the crucifixion, the enigmatic link between canned goods and World War II, and the veiled forces that propelled the tragic events of 9/11. This knowledge bestows upon Jenna immense power and wisdom, but not without an agonizing cost of isolation, melancholy, and anguish. Nevertheless, she perseveres, emerging as a fully-fledged Watcher, ready to undertake her inaugural assignment.

In Book II, Jenna’s growth as a Watcher accelerates, and the true purpose of organized religion is laid bare. Secrets shrouding Swiss banks’ shady dealings, the authentic origins of Kabbalah, and the untold tale of who truly declared the land of Israel holy are unveiled as Jenna embarks on her mission. Armed with their extraordinary abilities, Jenna and the Watchers stand poised to alter the course of history itself.

The 36 Watchers: Book II Spring immerses readers in a captivating world where hidden truths and ancient forces collide. Prepare yourself for a tumultuous journey that will challenge everything you thought you knew about history, religion, and the forces that shape our world.

What inspired the premise of your book?

The myth of the thirty-six righteous souls from ancient Jewish scripts, and the books of Laurence Gardner.

How many rewrites did you do for this book?

A few.

Tell us a little about how this story first came to be. Did it start with an image, a voice, a concept, a dilemma or something else?

Definitely a concept. – The world is not what it seems, powers are at work that people do not know about.

How do you come up with names for your characters?

I taste the names until they feel right.

Which character was most challenging to create? Why?

Gonar, the bad guy, bad guys are hard because you need details and depth, which is much easier

To add to good characters.

Are any of your characters based on real people you know?

Not really, maybe bits and pieces.

Which scene or chapter in the book is your favorite? Why?

The chapter about Kabballah in book II and the chapter about Judas in book I. I love poking holes

In religious myths, the more iconic it is, the more fun to poke at it.

Which scene was most difficult to write? Why?

Action scenes, if too slow, the reader gets distracted, if too fast, the reader gets confused,

Tricky balance.

Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book?

Gonar. The bad guy, I wouldn’t say changed, more like developed.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

That other forced are at play in our world, and to not take leaders, political, religious, industrial at their words.

How does your faith life/ethical outlook inform your writing?

Very much so, I am toe to toe with it.

What makes this book important right now?

Very unfortunately, the tragic events that started on October 7^th, continue to effect the world in a horrible way, these and previous events are at the heart and soul and dead center at the universe created by the 36 watchers book series. The 36 watchers series reflect on the evil that happens when

Religious powers are corrupted and manipulated by the powerful. Which happens way too often in our precious world.

What sort of a relationship exists between you and the characters you created in this book?

I can sometimes hear them talking to me.

How did you decide on this title?

The easiest part – the 36 exist, all I had to do is to find an English word for “Tzadikim” which means

Righteous, I chose watchers.

What’s next for you?

Book III of course!! Plenty of material for: The 36 watchers book III: winter.

The first one was book I, fall.

The second one, book II, spring

The third one is winter, not yet sure about the fourth one

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