Where were you born, and what was your childhood like?
I was born in Marysville Ohio. I spent the first five years of my life growing up in a small in Ohio called Urbana. Then my mother and father divorced and my mom took my sister and me to live in Michigan in another tiny town called bliss. My childhood was difficult because I was very bookish and introverted. I preferred to live in the world in my mind than to live in reality. For me, reality was a place I would rather not be.
Do you remember the first science fiction story you read? What was it about?
The first story I can remember reading was Glory Road by Robert Heinlein. It was about a broken, retired soldier who was an alcoholic. He is visited by a talking bipedal lizard from another dimension and is given a second chance at life.
How did you begin writing your first story? Did it ever get published?
I began writing my first story in 2017 as part of expressing my Spiritual Awakening. It was published in June of 2020.
Since how long have you been working as an American Expatriate in the Philippines?
I have been living and working in the Philippines off and on since 2015. I started working there permanently in June of 2018. However, I had a severe nervous breakdown and had to retire from working altogether. I have been writing as my only job since May of 2019.
How has been your experience of being an investigative journalist?
I love being an investigator. I tend to investigate a lot of really fringe and paranormal activity and then selling my transcripts to magazines to be published under other names. Sort of a ghostwriter if you will.
What are the challenges of being a freelance writer?
There is no real money in the work unless you can land a big steady gig. I tend to do freelance work just on the side, and that's only if certain people contact me to write for them.
Describe your writing space. What time of the day do you usually write?
My writing space is my office. I have privacy and a lock on the door. It's where I also keep my books and do my other creative activities. I do all of my work on my desktop computer, which is optimized for graphics editing, my other passion.
What motivated you to write your debut novel book, A GAME OF GODS?
More than anything, it was my Spiritual Awakening. I have seen and experienced some really strange and bizarre things in my life. I felt like I could make a good story by writing about them in a Science Fiction and Fantasy genre.
According to you, what elements grab the attention of readers from the first page to the last page of your books?
The World Space and believable characters. Create a believable world. Flesh out solid characters the reader can identify with, and then let them have an adventure.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Don't wait until you are 47 years old to start writing. Believe you can do it, and you will do it.
If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would play you?
Tom Cruise. He is about the only one who could pull off some the crazy things I have done in my life.
What is the toughest criticism you've ever received? What was the best?
I have not received any harsh criticism. People who read my book love it and tell me it resonates with them on a profound and personal level. Many contact me to ask me questions about the book or to tell me how much they loved reading it. Several have told me they were on their second read because the messages go deeper every time they read it.
Do you ever leave book reviews on other author's books? What do reviews mean to you?
Of course. If I like a book, I will leave a review for it. I don't usually leave a poor review, though. There are enough people who do that already. If I don't like something, I will usually not finish reading it, let alone review it. Reviews are important to me. It gives me insight into what has impacted the reader and why. Often reviews are my inspiration.
Share something your readers wouldn't know about you. Do you have any new books planned?
Many of my readers do not know that I am an avid martial arts practitioner with 26 years of training in 12 different systems.
My next book will be out in May 2021. It is titled The Jarl's Shadow, and it explores metaphysical concepts along with personality disorders while maintaining a science fiction/fantasy related backstory of unimaginable alien forces, lost civilizations, and conspiracy theories.
How long have you been associated with AllAuthor? How has your experience been?
I have been with AllAuthor for several months, and to be honest, it was the best investment I could have ever made. They do a great job with marketing and promotion. I am continually impressed with their service.
