You spent nearly thirty years in the Finance & Investment industry before becoming a full-time writer. What was the turning point that made you decide to pursue writing?
While there were aspects of my former career that I enjoyed, there had been this gnawing desire for change. Though I didn’t know exactly what that next chapter would look like, I wanted to do something creative. And I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. So, about six years ago, I took the plunge.
How has your background as a Certified Public Accountant influenced your approach to writing and storytelling?
There aren’t many opportunities for creativity in the finance world. In fact, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Internal Revenue Service aren’t particularly fond of what they call “creative accounting.” But seriously, I would say my former occupation instilled a level of discipline that has served me well. When I’m working on a new book, I follow a strict schedule, setting aside a couple of hours each morning to write. When I finish a book, I won’t look at it again for at least one month before revisiting.
You write primarily in the Speculative Fiction genres. What drew you to these genres, and do you remember the first speculative story you ever wrote?
I’ve been a fan of Speculative Fiction for as long as I can remember. It probably started with collecting comic books, reading Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, and watching Monster Week on the 4:30 Movie on WABC-TV in New York. The first speculative story I wrote was for a writing class in middle school. It was an alien apocalypse tale, naturally. Though I scored a good grade, a rarity at the time, the teacher thought it was too violent—I think that’s why I didn’t get a higher grade. My first critical review, as well.
Your career shift is quite dramatic—from finance to fiction. Did you face any doubts or resistance during the transition, either from yourself or others?
I haven’t had many moments of doubt. It always felt like I was heading in the right direction. Certainly, there were others who thought I’d lost my mind. I was the Chief Financial Officer of a well-established Investment Management Company. Going from that level of stability to writing was viewed by some as . . . well . . . stupid. But there were plenty of others who supported the decision.
Which authors or books have had the biggest influence on your writing style?
It’s a long list, but I’ll try to narrow it down. Certainly, many of the Speculative Fiction immortal works loom large for me: The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and anything by Stephen King. Issac Asimov’s use of dialogue and strong scientific base has also been a significant influence. And I love the storytelling and subtle humor of Kurt Vonnegut. I try to incorporate humor in most of my stories.
Speculative fiction often allows for exploration of big “what if” questions. What’s one such question that’s been most exciting for you to explore in your work?
In my latest novel, Blood Moon Over Betonville, the main character, Tom, experiences severe trauma as a child, and, on some level, he feels responsible for the tragedy that occurred. Outside of the “what if” questions, I like to explore basic human questions. Can we ever become fully emancipated from our past? Can we slay those demons keeping us from being better versions of ourselves?
You occasionally stray outside speculative fiction. Can you share an example of a non-speculative work you’ve written and what inspired it?
Yes, The Seasonal Killer is a non-speculative work. Five middle-schoolers become embroiled in a murder mystery after witnessing what they believe to be the disposal of a body. Though it’s a thriller, at its core, the book’s about the bond of friendship in those formative years. Those bonds can get you through the darkest days. I was inspired to write a story that celebrated that time in my life and the friends I had.
You live in western North Carolina now. Has the region’s natural beauty influenced your stories or creative process?
Yes, indeed. For one thing, I’ve used western NC as the setting for several stories. But separately, nature is a deep well for creativity. It’s an ancient place. The mountains have been here a lot longer than humans and will probably be here long after we’re all gone. The mountains engender a sense of awe, and, perhaps, by putting our lives in perspective, inspire me to incorporate grand themes.
You’re also a musician, playing guitar, piano, and drums. Does music ever find its way into your writing, either directly in your stories or indirectly in your creative rhythm?
I started playing guitar when I was a teenager. So, I’ve had music as a creative outlet for many years. And before I started writing books and short stories, I wrote songs. I enjoy the challenge of fitting an entire story into two verses, a chorus and a bridge. It forces brevity and encourages you to state things more poetically. Though I haven’t directly used a song as a basis for one of my stories, I’ve leveraged music or lyrics to help, for example, capture a mood or describe a character’s frame of mind.
When you sit down to write, do you start with a detailed outline or let the story unfold organically?
I don’t use a detailed outline. Usually, I’ll start with a basic idea, sometimes it’s based on something random. The basis for Blood Moon Over Betonville was a nightmare I had as a kid. I saw a strange creature standing on a mountain top, red glowing eyes fixed on me, howling in rage. And, as in most nightmares, I couldn’t escape from it. I started writing from there, allowing the story to evolve. I didn’t know exactly where it was going to lead. For me, that’s exciting.
Many writers find that hiking or being outdoors sparks creativity. Have you ever solved a plot problem or developed a character while on the trail?
Absolutely. Sometimes I’ll solve a plot or character issue while hiking a trail or working out at the gym. I usually need something in the forefront of mind, like concentrating on the uneven ground of a trail, while the writing issue marinates in the background. I think just the variety found in nature, seeing a place maybe you haven’t been to before, fosters creativity.
How do you approach world-building in your speculative fiction?
It’s usually a gradual process. I start with a basic idea and then add layers of complexity. In one story, I introduce a race of aliens, tens of thousands of years more advanced than humans. I asked myself a series of questions to start building out their world. How do they live – in concert with nature or has technology subsumed their planet? What sort of technological advancements should they have at that stage of development? What form of government might they have?
Looking back, is there a lesson from your finance career that you think every writer could benefit from?
Yes, I do. Coming from that world, the best companies were highly customer centric. I think there’s something to be taken from that mentality. It’s not about reducing a book to a product but making sure you’re focusing on the reader. I love to write, but if it’s incomprehensible to all but me or a select few, then I’ve missed the boat. If I can make a reader laugh out loud, shed a tear, feel inspired, or, maybe, see a different point of view, then I’ve done my job. I’ve met the goal of being reader centric.
What can readers look forward to next from you—any upcoming novels or short stories in the works?
I’m very excited that my short story, The Four-Leaf Clover, was included in Solstice Publishing’s multi-author anthology: Secrets, Adventure, Fear & Love: Book 4, available now on Amazon. Blood Moon Over Betonville, a supernatural horror novel, is coming soon from Solstice. And shortly, I will be releasing Higher Intelligence, a post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi adventure novel.
How were you introduced to AllAuthor, and would you say that this website has been helpful?
A fellow writer referred me to AllAuthor. The website has been a great resource for networking with other authors and allowing readers to learn more about me and my books. And I’ve seen a spike in traffic on my author’s website, largely coming from the AllAuthor site. Finally, as an avid reader, it keeps me apprised of exciting new releases.
