Tell us about your life and your struggles.
I grew up in a very large, loving family. I have two natural born brothers and twenty-three foster and adopted brothers. There was never less than ten of us in the house at one time. I have lived in every state west of the Mississippi. In the twenty-five years I lived with my parents, as a child, we moved twenty-nine times. I learned to make friends quickly.
Twenty years ago I moved my elderly parents in with me. I was caregiver to my mother for fifteen years until her death five years ago. I am still lucky to have my father living with me. He will turn 90 in August.
I have held down three jobs for the last 20 years, an 8-5 running a printshop at the local community college, a caregiver to my parents, and an author writing and actively marketing my work.
How passionate are you about writing?
I am so passionate about writing that I not only write my own books, but I have a business “Affordable Proofreading & Editing Service, LLC” where I help other authors make their work shine.
How long have you been writing and what inspired you to become a writer?
I can’t remember ever ‘not’ writing. My mother gave me a journal at a very early age. She encouraged me to write down my thoughts. I also had many pen-pals when I was young. My first published work was writing a column for the local newspaper in the mid-1990s. From there I started writing books and eventually became self-published in 2013.
How did you get the idea for your first book?
My first book was “The Helavite War, the first scifi in my Star Traveler Series. I truly believe I had been working on the idea since my youth. I used to lay in bed as a child and tell myself stories. Jake, Arr and Kay-o were my main characters. I have always loved ‘buddy’ books and movies. When I broke my foot in 1990 the doctor told me to stay off of it. I bought myself a dedicated word processor and started channeling. It was amazing. The first draft was completed in three months. It was finally published in 2013.
While choosing a name for your character, what aspects do you consider that determines what you finally call them?
I always want a name my readers can pronounce. I hate a book where I stumble over the names or have to give them a shortened name in order to continue reading it. All of my character’s names derive from their looks, actions and sometimes relations to people I know or have known.
Do authors in general and you in particular plan series beforehand or do they just happen?
I don’t know about other authors, but my series are not planned. I find myself interested in a character or situation I did not fully explore in the current book and that leads to another, and another, and another.
How do you choose which stories to tell?
I tell them all, or intend to one day. It is just a matter of what order I write them, or which characters scream the loudest in my head.
Do you ever get writer’s block?
On occasion my mind puts on the breaks, but I can’t say I ever had writer’s block. I usually just take a nap and when I arise the breaks are off and my mind is back in gear. I know it continues to work on the problem as I sleep because I have often awakened with an idea for a book. That time during half-sleep just before waking is a very creative time.
Do you have a “reader” in mind while writing?
No, I write to tell the story that is running through my head. I hope there is someone who wants to read it once it is completed.
Who is the first person to read the first draft of your books?
Usually my father reads the first draft as I write them, chapter by chapter.
How do you get reviews? Which was the best review you ever got?
I ask for reviews at the end of all my books. If someone tells me on Social Media that they have read one of my books I ask them to sprinkle a few stars over the book, if they feel so moved.
I am blessed with many 4 and 5 Star reviews. I can’t really pick out one in particular. I appreciate the ones who notice my work is deeper in meaning then it appears at first glance.
What does the word “story” signifies for you?
A story is an invitation for my mind to escape. I suspend all preconceived ideas and dive into the story with no thought of coming up for air until it is over.
Do you think an author should be bound by Genre?
I write in four genres currently, so I would say, ‘no’ an author should not be bound by a genre. I also write paranormal that is not typical of that genre as it has been laid out in the past. I believe an author who breaks down barriers is admired. I would never want to be stereotyped as an author.
Are you currently working on anything?
I am currently working of two of my own projects, a fantasy, ‘Farloft, the Younger Years,’ and a paranormal, ‘Shifting for Better or Worse.’ As I said above, I am also always working on other author’s work as well.
Do you have a special time or place for writing?
I work best in the morning if I am free to do so. If it is on the weekend, I can work all day uninterrupted. I often get so involved I forget to eat or drink. I have a reading and writing room, called my Moroccan Room. It is all done in jewel tones and a peaceful place to work.
How do you promote your work? How will QuotesRain help you in your book promotion and sales, would you like to refer this platform to your author friends?
I promote actively on social media, Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus. I take all offers to do podcasts, guest blog posts and interviews. I have both a YouTube and a SoundCloud Channel. I do book fairs, readings and signings locally.
I hope QuotesRain will help me reach more readers with their connections, which might be different then mine. I would refer my fellow authors to your website.
Would you like to share something with your readers and fans?
I enjoy hearing from my friends and readers, whether it is via my blog, my website or any of my social media links. I hope folks drop by and stay for a chat.
