Where did you grow up?
Grenada, MS, born and raised in small town MS.
Were you an avid reader as a child? Do you still read books?
I was not an avid or any other kind of reader until my sophomore year in high school. My English Lit. teacher, Buddy Pender, gave me a copy of the book, “Seven Days in May”. I was hooked on reading thereafter, including now.
Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?
I know it sounds corny, but from the beginning it has been my wife, Jane. Many of our relatives made disparaging remarks or sounds when discussing the book.
What kind of research do you do for your books and how long does it usually take?
This being my only book, there was a huge learning curve. From the time of making the decision to go forward to write the book, the necessary research took approximately eight to ten months. Most of the case data in the book was in my head, my notes or newspaper articles collected over the years. I also had fact checking meetings with other retired Medical Board investigators and related staff.
How do you decide upon the perfect book titles?
My original title, The 5 D’s of Doctors, was shot down with a vengeance by my son, Brad, and my wife. That title was developed from direct material contained in the book. While talking about a title, Jane began to spit-ball different titles by just blurting out potential titles. When she suddenly said, “Healers or Dealers?”, we both looked at each other and said, “that’s it”! Not very fancy, but effective.
How long did it take you to put together all the stories in the book, "Healers or Dealers?"?
The actual number to answer this question is the same as # 4, eight to ten months. That was the time period to select and research the cases. The really difficult and slow process was deciding the all-important, presentation format and the subsequent typing.
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?
While writing Healers or Dealers?, my major block was deciding a format for writing, how to present the cases, and what aliases to use for the doctors and their victims that they abused. The block in the latter point was broken once I decided on aliases that, in most cases but not all, are really a clue to the real identity of the doctor. The victim’s aliases were from people I have known.
Audiobook vs e-book vs printed book, which one do you prefer and why?
When driving on trips such as to visit relatives, deer camp or to our favorite trout fishing resort, I prefer audio books. At home I prefer hard back printed books.
When are you most satisfied with a book or piece of writing? Do you often edit things OUT of your books?
For a book to be satisfying for me, it must present an idea, thought or information that is true and convincing and may even alter the thinking of the reader or at least cause them to think. For example, with Healers or Dealers?, I want the reader to really think about the doctor that they go to or more importantly, that they send family members to. Bad actors in medicine are not as uncommon as one might think!
In HD? I reluctantly edited out two lines, based on strongly worded comments from my wife. While the edited comments made by the doctor under investigation did in fact occur, it was Janes’ opinion/concern that in the current sensitive political environment in which we live, blame for the comment would fall on me, the author, and possibly effect the acceptance of the book by readers who would likely feel very uncomfortable reading it. As silly as it sounds, it is also true.
What is your writing kryptonite? Inversely, what is something that never fails to inspire you?
As a new writer, lack of confidence in my ability is definitely my kryptonite! I still do not consider myself a writer simply because I found HD? easy, interesting and just plain fun to write. While that meets the definition of what a writer does, it just has yet to allow me to feel like a writer.
As far as inspiration goes, anything written by or about Winston S. Churchill gets my attention.
What are the main things that one should know before starting to write a book?
Almost everything in my life is driven by having a “purpose” that is legal, ethical, fair and respectful or why do it? Also, it will not hurt to have very thick skin, an open mind to suggestions/corrections and be able to tolerate criticism.
What are your hobbies apart from writing?
The wonderful world of golf is my second love, (Jane is # 1). MS State baseball is a close second to that.
What is your ideal setting to write in?
My favorite room for writing in our house is our sunroom. It has large ceiling to floor windows on two sides with glider rockers that make writing and reading comfortable and conducive to typing.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
I do have a second book in development. It involves of all things, Ukraine and is based on a series of true events that began in 1976 and continues up to the present, resulting in a Pearl Harbor times 10,000.
Thoughts on social network marketing? What has your experience with AllAuthor been so far and is this a worthy enough platform for you to recommend to your friends?
So far, I do not have any data on which to base an opinion on that type of marketing. Being new to this business, I have relied on my publisher and marketing group to handle marketing of my book. They speak very highly of ALlAuthor – that’s good enough for me!
