Which is your most cherished childhood memory?
The first homerun I hit playing baseball as a young child.
What did books and writing mean to you as a child? Is anyone else in your family involved in the literature field?
Reading and writing books was the perfect escape for me growing up. It nurtured my imagination and allowed me to picture things in my mind clearly. Telling stories, whether speaking or writing, always gave me great joy. My mother is an avid reader and saw something in me when I was young. She urged me to follow that path and I'm glad I listened to her.
What draws you to the genre of Fantasy? What are some of the challenges involved in writing in this genre?
The world building is what draws me most to Fantasy. It allows you to really flex that imaginative muscle and, given the sub genre, can allow you to create things that wouldn't normally exist. It's a perfect way to tell epic stories where anything goes. The challenge for me is allowing my mind to let go of conventional rules of reality. I have to remember that in a fantasy tale, there are no rules except for the ones you establish. Related to that fact, another challenge is creating characters, places, and scenes that haven't been done or thought up before.
What was the first job you ever had?
I directed traffic within a parking garage at a local mall for the holidays.
What challenges did you face while publishing your debut novel, Fallen Revenge?
The biggest hurdle was the pandemic. It delayed much of the editing process, pushing the publication out by a year. RhetAskew publishing was great throughout the process and afforded me the time, along with the tools I needed to get everything done.
What do you enjoy writing the most among horror stories?
The suspense and fear that people should feel in those circumstances. It's what makes a story compelling and keeps the reader flipping the pages to see what happens next. In most horror books, movies, etc. the person knows there is danger on the other side of the door or on the next page but yet they are too curious not to open the door or flip that page to see what's awaiting them. I think that's what makes the horror genre fun.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I remind myself of why I'm writing. It's my passion and something I enjoy. I like to keep my family and close friends informed on the process because they are interested in what may be coming in the next books, which also keeps me motivated to continue the journey and stories I'm writing.
Who inspired the character of Randy Newborn?
He is a combination of many people I've known throughout my life as well as elements of myself. It would be impossible for me to land on a singular inspiration for his character.
What were some misconceptions you had about the book and publishing industry before you became a published author?
I didn't realize there would be as much collaboration as there was throughout the entire process. I thought I would have a set of responsibilities and the publisher would have their own duties, but in reality we worked closely together to make it happen, which wasn't what I initially expected. It was a wonderful experience.
Walk us through the editing process of your book? Who normally edits your books for you?
After I complete the first draft, I read back through it entirely while making necessary updates. Once that's complete, I send it to my best friend who reads it and points out any holes, flaws, and other mistakes, along with his notes from a reader's perspective. When he's finished, I read back through it another time before I submit to my publisher. It goes through a few more rounds with my publisher's editor before it's complete.
What kinds of scenes do you find harder to write (action, suspense, funny, etc)?
Action is the most difficult for me because I have to refrain from giving the reader too much information. I want to detail out every movement in a fight or how many rotations of a car crash in a high speed chase but I always pull back so the reader can use their own imagination to paint their own picture. I don't leave any important details or descriptions out so the reader knows exactly what's going on, but I have to prevent myself from giving the reader description overload.
How does writing make you feel? When you're not writing, what does a normal day for you look like?
Writing is the perfect escape from everyday life and reality. When I write, I lose myself in the world for the hours I dedicate to writing whatever project I'm working on. I'm left fulfilled and satisfied when I've finished writing the scene, chapter, or multiple chapters of my story. When I'm not writing, I'm working my day job, exercising, and spending time with those I love most.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
I just completed the follow up book/sequel to Fallen Revenge. The book Fallen Revenge is the origin story of Randy and everything else that's about to unfold. I also began work on the third installment of the series and hope to have that finished by the end of the year.
How is your day structured? How many days do you write in a week?
I try to write anywhere from 3-5 days a week, depending on my work schedule. I work during the day and I write the the afternoon/evening when I'm able. I don't force the creative process if it's not there. When I do sit down to write, I write for hours.
When did you join AllAuthor? How has your experience been?
I joined in 2020 and it's been a great experience. I love how I can list all social media profiles, newsletters, and books all in one place. The support from AllAuthor providing book banners, tweets regarding my book, and contests has been fantastic.
