Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?
Several. Too many to list because I think you should remember as much as you can and incorporate those memories into your writing. Rather than entirely blow you off, two of those memories, a local bad guy escaping custody and picking berries with my sister and dog have shown up in my writing.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Sure. It was a story in my second grade reading class. I forget the title and most of the story, but it was about a guy who flew a rescue helicopter and the ‘copter had a personality and all that--sort of anthropomorphic. I couldn’t buy that. Even then I thought it would be a better story if the ‘coper was a horse and there was some kind of relationship between him and his cowboy master.
What are the challenges of being a multi-genre author?
It can be tough because it often requires a lot of research. Thank Goodness for the Internet! However, I think it reflects my varied interests. Lol
What makes you feel related to both Wyatt Earp and Butch Cassidy?
It’s not “feel.” I am! BUT since you asked, I’ll give you the whole story. I have a cousin who is into genealogy and she traced it all out. She sent me the connections but, I have to admit, it was pretty complicated. Are you familiar with that thing “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?” It was more complicated than that! Lol… However, it’s pretty cool to say, especially when I was going through my “cowboy phase.”
What encouraged you to start studying Journalism and Photography?
Bad advice. I knew at an early age that I wanted to write and asked a grade school teacher what to study in college. She told me journalism. BAD advice! There’s a LOT of difference between creative writing and journalism. However, I enjoyed it and it taught me how to be brief yet cover the subject. Also, had I not studied journalism, I never would have gotten into photography and I’ve always liked the creativity.
At what age did you write your first book? Did it get published?
I was 13. As for publishing, I never even finished it!
How did you begin writing The Charlie Hobbs Saga?
It was rattling around in my head for years but, a lot of people have an idea they never write. I started collecting ideas, decided to go First Person, and then had to figure out a way to pull that off because first person Western are usually pretty lame. I pretty well had it planned out before I put pen to paper.
How did you come up with the plot of "Left Handed Gringo"?
I’m usually lousy at coming up with titles, but I did everything backwards with that story. I came up with the title and wrote the story around it. The story deals with Pancho Villa’s raid into the US at Columbus, NM. That much really happened so, I wrapped the story around that. I gotta say, I still like the story! It was my first attempt to pull that off and I found out I really like do go there—I guess it’s Historical Fiction. I later did the same thing with Once Upon a Time With Grandpa---real people, real incidents, and a lot of “what ifs.”
Who inspired the character of Charlie Hobbs ?
I always struggle with that question. I think it’s a lot of ME.
What is your writing kryptonite? Inversely, what is something that never fails to inspire you?
Oh wow, the last question is usually a big lump of kryptonite! People are going to think we put out heads together for that one! History and mysteries inspire me.
What's the best life lesson you've ever learned from a fictional character?
I read “The Catcher in the Rye” for the first time when I was 14. Holden Caulfield taught me I’m not the only screwed up person out there.
How can one become better at photography?
With digital, there are not a lot of darkrooms out there. As for taking the pictures, read some books or articles about composition and lighting, then go out there and take some shots. After that, get a thick skin and have someone better than you critique your pics. They’ll probably burst your balloon, but keep it in mind and take some more pictures.
Do you prefer zombies to walk or would you rather have them run?
Lol…Definitely walk—less hassle to escape!
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
Sure. If the zombie story takes off, expect more. I already set it up for a series and I have ideas. I have to write a Charlie Hobbs story first—“Return of the Ant People. I have a title, even a cover, and a couple of ideas, so I think it will come to pass. Charlie is getting a bit long in the tooth to be fighting aliens, so I’m going to advance his saga a couple of years for the next book in the series and have him caught up in scandals and conspiracies leading to the Great Depression. Back to the Historical Fiction thing!
How long have you been associated with AllAuthor? How has your experience been?
Only about three or four months. However, I’m already pretty satisfied because there are also benefits, such as banner mock ups, so you get a lot of bang for your buck. I like doing stuff like that but, I’m not as good as you.
The Windmill Portal: A Charlie Hobbs Adventure (The Charlie Hobbs Saga Book 4)Publish: Jan 01, 2021Series: The Charlie Hobbs SagaScience Fiction 
