What are some of your favorite childhood memories?
Oof. I wouldn't know where to start with that one. Childhood was a rather long time ago for me. Let's just say that I remember the first moon launch fairly clearly. Whether it was something in the air, or a product of my child's mind, it seemed like a time when almost anything was possible. I miss that. Hopeless optimism is never a vice.
What books do you remember reading during your childhood?
Anything by Clarke, Asimov, Walter Scott, Louis L'Amour, Heinlein, Tolkein, and many more.
What are some interesting experiences you've had as a teen?
My teen years were thoroughly lacking in interest. I was a dull kid.
How did your writing journey begin? Why did you start writing?
I've written on and off my entire life, mostly for school and work. I didn't start writing for my own pleasure (not seriously) until I was around 50. I don't know whether there was a particular reason I began. I had some free time on my hands and just sat down at the keyboard one day and started writing. I haven't been able to stop.
From being a short-order cook to truck driver to writer and editor, which of your many professions have you enjoyed the most?
Every job I've had has been pleasant in its own way. I suppose I like being a lawyer the most. That's largely because I'm my own boss, and because it deals with helping people with their problems. I can't say enough good things about working as an editor, though. It really teaches you to challenge your assumptions about what good writing is, and it forces you to explain to someone else why some types of writing are good and others are not. If you want to be a good writer, try your hand at editing. You'll thank yourself.
Nadja Bikram is such a unique name. Where did you hear the name for the first time?
I don't recall where that name came from. It just occurred to me one day, and I knew from that moment the name was perfect for the character.
What was the most challenging part of writing the book, Wergild: A Heartwarming Tale of Coldblooded Vengeance - coming up with character names, writing the plot or the setting?
There was nothing challenging in writing the story. I really do love to write. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't do it. I will tell you a secret, though. I spent some years designing training scenarios for the army. The job required plotting, developing characters (sometimes hundreds) and storylines, and keeping all of the moving parts in order. After designing a year-long scenario to train upward of 300 people, writing a novel was a piece of cake.
How did you try to make the traditional fairy tales creatively different in "Wergild"?
I'm not sure I did. Starting in the 20th century, there was a movement among publishers to sanitize traditional fairytales, to make them more palatable for younger children, to weed out the coarse, the erotic, and the violent. Many older tales, in their original versions, ended up with someone getting eaten. I just decided to return to that strain of writing.
How many books do you plan to write in The Missing Chapters series?
There is no set number. They really are missing chapters. From time to time, I'll write a chapter for a story and realize that it simply doesn't fit in the place I intended. But if the chapter is good, I don't want to throw it away. Hence, the missing chapters. The first Missing Chapter "A Simple One Off Murder," is a chapter I decided to excise from an upcoming sequel to "Wergild." (Hopefully, the novel, as yet untitled, will be available in fine bookstores everywhere in the summer of 2021!)
How was the planet of Skiathos inspired?
That's a good question. I wish I had a good answer. What I had in mind was a planet so harsh that, if it were even a skosh more inhospitable, that humans (even augmented humans) wouldn't be able to survive there. Skiathos reflects a picture of a place I would least like to vacation.
How do you maintain that equilibrium between writing what you want and what your readers want?
I'm one of those people who always reads consumer reviews. I think it's important. Having said that, I don't let reviews influence the story. But if my writing isn't what it should be, I want to know. Reviews, in my opinion, should help improve writing quality, not alter or influence the content of the story.
Who was the first reader that reached out to you? What did they say and how did you respond?
It's never happened. Though I would be flattered if it did.
Do you encounter writer's block often? If so, which book of yours did you get stuck on the most and what are some things you did to get your brain working again?
I'm not sure I know what writer's block is. I occasionally will come to a point in a story when I'm not certain how to proceed. I usually will take a day or two to think about it, and then mush on. From time to time, I might even write around a section, coming back to it later. I'm not sure that counts as a block.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
That's top secret. ... No, not really. I'm working on a number of things. The top of my list right now is a follow-up to "Wergild." (Available in fine bookstores everywhere in summer 2021.)
How long have you been with AllAuthor now and how have you been enjoying it?
I've been with you folks for just a few months. So far, so good.
