What were the thoughts that came to your mind While staring from the classroom window and contemplating what the world was up to?
I dreamed of adventure on foreign shores and what it would be like to meet people from different cultures. I still hold this fascination to this very day. I have never met a boring person, but I have some who are definitively more interesting than others.
Do you remember the first story you put to paper when you were in high school?
I wrote a story about what it would be like to be king for a day. My teacher passed it to my mother: She and her friends thought it was hysterically funny. I wasn’t trying to be funny, but perhaps it came naturally. (Not).
What do you find most interesting about psychology? Have you studied psychology?
I have always been interested in the workings of the human psyche and how it translates into real-world actions. We are complex creatures with the capacity for stunning achievements and artistic expression, and yet we can equally apply ourselves to annihilation. I have extensively read Freud, Nietzsche and Jung, a combination that captures the human essence.
How do you think your early life has influenced your writing style?
The things I read expanded my imagination, and I decided I liked it that way. I played outdoors with friends, and we created our own adventures in nearby woods and fields. It was a terrific time, but not without danger. There was plenty to enjoy and be aware of simultaneously.
How has your writing changed over time? What has been a major influence on you as a writer?
My writing has sharpened over the years, and my expansion of characters has added depth. Partly because of what I was reading and because I wanted my stories to have a continual bite without the need for a shocking incident – although they can be fun if executed well. Karin Slaughter, Stephen King and Jean Hanff Korelitz are the most recent influences, among many.
Who is your favorite character of all the characters you've created so far?
Jordy Young in ‘The Sideliners.’ He displays the full gambit of human conflict and is prepared to explore all of it to find his calling and for what he believes to be the truth. His journey is rife with struggle, humor, passion and a humble sense of genuine inquiry into finding meaning.
What did you enjoy about writing "Playing the Part of Myself"? Is there any significance of the title of the book?
The book took me to places of extraordinary surprise as the main character quickly took over. It is a novella full of despair and triumph but culminating in something beautifully twisted. The title captures the difference between the main character’s persona that is displayed to the outside world and what he was truly like as a friend, lover and companion.
What was the inspiration behind Echoes in the Silence?
The basic premise was derived from listening to an intricate piece of magical music and then extrapolating who could produce such wondrous effects and how could it be used – with a little imagination. Like all of my work, the main characters will go to places that will stretch the reader and make you question your morals along with what is right or wrong. A juxtaposition that I thoroughly enjoy.
Do you think an author could ever retire? If so, when do you plan on retiring?
I do not plan on retiring as my brain and my conscience will not allow it, and nor will my bank balance. I expect someone will find my corpse with my head on the keyboard and a word document filled with 27 million repetitions of ‘dfghjkl.’
Of all the mysteries you've written, which one do you recall most vividly and why?
‘The Third Coming’ was an adventure, not only in writing but also in learning. It covers the world’s significant religions and then brings about some unexpected events that, in turn, provide greater challenges to the human spirit. It provided me with a great insight into so many rituals and beliefs, and that has been reflected in the customer’s positive feedback.
Are there any "rules" that you like to stick to even when writing suspense?
It has to excite/intrigue me when I read it. The only other rule I have is more about something I don’t want to do; I ensure that each standalone mystery thriller of mine takes the reader through an overarching storyline that is fully explainable. As an avid reader, it is so disappointing to get to the end of a rip-roaring story and not know about some key issue along the way. I promised myself never to allow that.
Have any of your friends read your books? What do they say?
Quite of few have read my work, and some now refuse to speak with me (joke). Generally speaking, they are thrilled and sometimes shocked that I have produced works that have a high degree of intensity, as my demeanor is mostly laid-back. I am happy to report that they keep asking what’s coming next. If I were a better friend, I would tell them the answer.
What does Vincent Redgrave's weekend look like?
My weekends typically blend with the rest of the week. I am busy writing, editing and re-writing. I typically work anywhere between 60-80 hours per week on writing and associated tasks. Outside of that, I find myself working on the abandoned goat farm where I live. There is always something in need of repair.
How do you keep your books from getting dull? What are awesome tips for brainstorming that you use?
My books are all set in different places with different characters so that the reader doesn’t get into something formulaic with a character or their journey. Each of my nine published books are unrelated to one another. Some are set with unusual but identifiable struggles, and others are of a more ethereal nature. I have to enjoy the end product, or I am certain my readers will not. I find that my best ideas (I have shelved more ideas than I have completed) come later in the evening when my mind is tired and relaxed, and I allow it to wander and gather things of interest. It has enabled me to write another nine unpublished works in various stages of editing. All coming soon.
What are your thoughts on AllAuthor? Is this a website you see yourself using for sometime even in the future?
I have enjoyed the interactions on AllAuthor. It has led me to find a couple of good fellow authors and read their work (after they commented on mine). The platform is easy to use, unlike many others I have encountered, and the promotional tools have been most useful. I see myself as a long-standing participant on the platform and look forward to a continued productive partnership.
