Can you share more about the different places you've lived and how these experiences have influenced your writing and art?
My novel Sortilege is entirely escapist. Begun years ago in NYC, it underwent countless re-writes before it was finally finished here in California.
What have been some of the most memorable travels or places you've visited, and how have they shaped your creative work?
My creative work is mostly shaped by internal forces, although there is a street in San Francisco which served as inspiration for an as yet unfinished short story called The Three Sisters.
How do you balance your time between writing novels, painting, and drawing?
I don’t. Ideally, I’d like to do both words and pictures every day.
Do you find one form of expression more fulfilling than the others?
Finishing a difficult project is always fulfilling.
Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you approach starting a new novel?
The mystery of how exactly Sortilege came to be is lost in the mists of time.
Who or what have been your biggest influences in your writing and artistic endeavors?
Anyone who can tell a good yarn. Anyone who can make a good picture. The list is long.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career, and how have you overcome them?
Rejections, of course. Who said I overcame them?
What inspired you to explore alchemy and the elixir of immortality? How do you incorporate this interest into your daily life?
Do you suppose that, someday, AI will be able to identify our very human, very feeble attempts at humor?
What advice would you give to aspiring writers and artists who are just starting out?
I advise myself to keep on, only because it makes me happy.
What are your aspirations for the future in terms of your creative and personal lives?
I try to be grateful that I’m alive right here in the present.
Which piece of art are you most proud of, and why?
Whatever I’m currently working on. You never know.
How has living in Northern California influenced your work and lifestyle?
My short novel Mrs. Lawton is set in a fictitious San Francisco. I have a quiet, simple, rather ideal life.
How have your personal experiences and growth as an individual been reflected in your creative output?
I may have learned how to edit.
How has your work evolved over the years? Are there any recurring themes or motifs that you find yourself returning to?
Evolved from feeding my vanity, I hope, to telling a story.
Can you tell us about any current projects you are working on, whether in writing, painting, or alchemy?
The Cabochon Set, my next novel, is in its final stages. It takes up most of my time.
How did you first come across the AllAuthor website? What do you like or dislike about the site?
Can’t remember where. Feel very warm and fuzzy about AllAuthor, its professionalism and support.
