What childhood memory has had the best impact on you? Waking up Saturday mornings, watching cartoons and eating cereal. Going outside and playing in the snow in the winter and riding my bike for hours in the summer, swimming at the local playground pool. I loved being outside as a kid. Music was a big thing for me as well, Michael Jackson's Thriller Album terrified me and Purple Rain changed my life forever.
What is the earliest experience you had with writing that you remember? In the fifth grade I had to write a report on a famous historical figure so I chose Fredrick Douglas. I walked a few miles to the library and did all the research I could do. I spent a month writing my report and did very well on my grade. It opened my mind to hard work and the importance of choosing your words carefully to impact the reader.
What inspired you to write your first book? Burnout and time. I quit my job in the pharmaceutical industry and had a big block of time to sit and relax. I had the idea of La Familia in my head for years but never did anything with it. Well with nothing but time on my hands, I sat down on my couch one day and wrote my first 15 pages in two hours. After that the rest was history. Inside a year I had written my first two books and started the third in the series.
What are some ways you tried to improve your writing throughout your high school years? I never really wrote in High school, other than your typical reports and such. I did not find my passion for writing until a few years ago and I took off. I have always had a wide vocabulary but never put it to any good use. So for me now this is starting a totally new life and journey.
How did you come up with the story in "La Familia: Loose Ends"? I would have these small flashes of a story pop in my head from time to time. I would write what I saw happening down but did nothing with them. Well after I quit my job I polished the notes and flashes into something that I thought I would want to watch on TV. Something gripping, exciting, rivitening action packed with extreme drama, conflict and suspense. I wanted to write something that would pull on your heart strings as the series progressed. Every character I have pulled out of thin air so this has been a labor of imagination and love.
Does one of the main characters in "La Familia: Loose Ends" hold a special place in your heart? If so, why? I believe I relate to Santino the most. He has a good heart and wishes to break away from the extreme violence of his family but realizes the only way to do that is to destroy them. I understand his dilemma of wanting that independence and breaking away from those around you, who may not wish to see you succeed. Santino realizes not all of his family is evil but he can no longer walk a tightrope to please everyone. He will have to hurt a few people in the process in order to bring peace to his country. Santino's not afraid to go against the grain and is a long term thinker, seeing the bigger picture.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? In 2019, when I sat down and started writing it was just that simple. I did not need a big fancy degree or formal education, I just needed to follow my heart and hear the words pouring out from my heart.
Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say? I do hear from my readers and the response is amazing. The first book has been described as Narcos meets Breaking Bad meets John Wick. They are pleased with the action, drama and up paced tempo and of course they want to know what is going to happen in the next book and throughout the series. I am so grateful for everyone and love the response I have been getting.
What does success mean to you? What is the definition of success? For me it is simple. I want my two daughters to look back on their lives with happiness. I want them to know I loved them, kept them safe when I needed to, and taught them what they needed to learn. My daughter's memories of me and opinion of me means everything. Without my girls I am nothing so success to me is their love, they mean the world to me!
Who is your target audience? What are some things you wish your readers would take away from your books? As far as gender goes it is meant for men and women, the age range I think is 25/45. For anyone that likes action, suspense, drama and a good thrill ride I think this is right up their alley. here is some violence, I mean we are talking about a cartel family after all. Things I would like for them to take away would be the complexity of the family structure. Brothers locked in battle, a mother/wife torn how to keep her family from falling apart. Sons challenging their fathers power for opposite reasons . I would like for my readers to see the story lines getting ready to crash down on eachother and think they know how it's going to end, but in reality will have no clue how everything will implode.
What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your first book? How naturally everything flowed. I started at the first chapter and wrote all the way through to the last chapter. I'm not saying it did not come with some challenges because it did. But for the majority of my first book it felt as if I had been writing my entire life.
Do you write listening to music? NO. I cannot have any distractions when I am writing; it really throws me off. Sometimes I will vene throw in ear plugs if the family is home so I can't hear anything at all. If I am editing my book then I can listen to something in the background, Sade, Aretha Franklin, something smooth and chill. However when I am writing I hav to have silence or I am not in the right headspace.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book? I am working on the third book in the series. The second book is currently going through editing. This will be a five part series eventually leading to an epic conclusion with the fifth book.
How long have you been associated with AllAuthor? How has your experience been? I just recently joined all author back in October. I have been very pleased with the interaction and tweets that have gone out. I will stay with this platform for a very long time.