What were some of your favorite books as a child?
Beowulf. I read it at least a dozen times.
What were some aspirations you had as a child?
If your 12-year-old self were to see you today, do you think she would be satisfied with who she would become? I would tell him to prep for college. I instead went to a technical school and learned a trade I never used before joining the military.
What is the earliest experience you had with books/writing that you remember?
The frustration of being rejected for what I thought was outstanding work. 22 years and hundreds of rejections later, I accept it as simply part of the business.
Do you remember the first Stephen King novel you read?
Firestarter. It was 1984 and a friend of mine bought me that novel. 'Christine' then followed and after that, I read 'The Stand'. I believe that all told, I've read over thirty of his works, my favorites being the 1985 anthology, 'Skeleton Crew' and 'The Long Walk', which he wrote as Richard Bachman.
What inspired you to write the novel, Yellow Fever?
The two years I spent in South Korea while a member of the US Air Force. I wanted to write a genre piece with Korea as the setting and Air Force life as a backdrop.
How did you come up with the title of your book, Gauntlet?
The participants in that novel are running a gauntlet just to survive, much less come out its lone winner. My inspiration for 'Gauntlet' was Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' novel.
When becoming an author, must one stick with one genre?
I've written horror with sci-fi elements, as well as crime thrillers and suspense/mysteries set in the old west, so I'd say definitely not. It is sometimes a refreshing change to attempt a different genre one is unaccustomed to writing.
How does it feel to see your book in a bookstore?
I've only had my novels available on-line. Sad to say, bookstores are nearly a thing of the past.
Are any of your stories inspired by true events or are they all pure imagination?
Purely fictional, though I do base many of my characters on people I've known through the years.
When reading a new book, what is one thing that is a surefire way to capture your attention?
Building suspense. Not an easy task. Also, I tend to enjoy tales that take place atop isolated, desolate landscapes.
What sort of difference do you think a book makes in a child's life?
I think reading at an early age is vital for children if they are to grow up into adult 'readers'. There is no better stimulant for the brain.
Who is the most influential person you know and how have they helped you as an author?
I once worked for a chief master sergeant who instilled in me a work ethic that I bring to my writing.
Writing and finishing a book can take an immense amount of discipline. How do you keep yourself motivated and keep the dreaded writer's block from attacking?
Remaining focused is the key. I begin my projects by creating the characters with only a faint idea of the plot they will be serving, a fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants style of writing that definitely isn't for everybody.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
I'm currently working on a World War 2 suspense/horror tale set at the tail end of the war. It will be a standalone project.
When did you join AllAuthor? What do you think of the experience so far?
I joined all author last year and it has definitely been a positive experience. They have helped me 'get out the word' on my last two novels. I do plan on using them to spotlight my next release, the suspense/mystery 'The Gig' in 2023.
