Being a native of Montreal, for how long have you lived here?
I was born in Montreal. I've worked or vacationed in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. I've enjoyed all of my trips, but will always call Montreal my home.
How has been your experience of being an international management consultant?
I worked with companies that were in trouble or experiencing growing pains, so it was always a challenge. I'm retired, and it's now a pleasure to write full time.
What do you enjoy more - technical writing or writing fiction with a tinge of humor?
Technical writing is work, developing a fiction novel is a fun creative process.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being fully bilingual?
My formal schooling was all in French with different rules of punctuation. I write in English. My editor once told me that I was very creative-- She was talking about my punctuation.
How have years as a private pilot, avid reading and extensive traveling contributed to your storehouse of stories?
I can write knowledgeable scenes about many adventures in foreign lands, as well as on-the -edge landings on lakes or small off-the-beat airports. Situations that can be used in adventure or thriller novels.
Since how long have you been a reviewer on The Next Big Writer? What things do you keep in mind while reviewing a piece of writing?
The TNBW site was launched in 2005. I've been a member since 2006. A review is not a criticism of an author's work. It should be constructive comments about what you liked in the story and where you feel the author could do better, this, without putting in your own suggestions. These peer to peer reviews are to help authors improve, and should never be a put-down of someone's work.
What is Crime Writers of Canada about?
Crime Writers of Canada was founded in 1982 as a non-profit entity. It is the national professional association for mystery and crime writers in Canada. Its mission is to promote Canadian crime writing and to raise the profile of Canadian crime writers with readers, reviewers, librarians, booksellers, and media.
Who was your inspiration for Beaudry in the Lieutenant Beaudry Novels?
An honest, tough, beat cop from the 1970's called René Duperron. He patrolled in Montreal's red light district. He once caught 5 burglars red-handed inside of a store. Revolver in hand, he marched them out in single file to the police station, with the admonition that if anyone stepped out of formation he would shoot them dead.
How was the idea for "Blood Tail" born?
The first novel in the Lieutenant Beaudry mystery series was loosely based on the 1985 murder of Frank Shoofey a high profile Montreal criminal lawyer.
Of all the suspense stories that you have written, which one is closest to your heart and why?
I've enjoyed creating all of my novels. I guess the last one written by an author, is always the closest in mind, if not in heart.
What are some of your goals with Lieutenant Beaudry series? What do you hope your readers will take away?
That fans in this genre enjoy the read is my prime goal. On that, my second best compliment was from a reader who had received one of my novels as a gift. She came up to me and said "Please tell me that there are more." On a different subject, the best compliment in my life was when my flight instructor leaned his head on the passenger window, and said."Wake me when we land."
There are so many mystery writers out there. How do you ensure that your stories are exclusive and not like any other mainstream mystery novel?
Over the years, I've developed my own writer's voice. There's probably a tinge of my favorite writers, John D. MacDonald, Robert Parker, Mickey Spillane, Robert Crais, and some Janet Evanovich in my telling, but my writing and my characters are wholly of my creative construct.
What are you currently working on? Do you plan to write any single titles anytime soon?
I'm working on the sixth in the Beaudry series "DEAD RUN" It should be in print January 2020. I have an esoteric novel in the works on the human soul and life after death experiences. I also have an outline for a story starring Patricia O'Neil. Beaudry's paramour. I plan to co-write this one with a female mystery writer.
How has your experience with AllAuthor been?
There are so many sites on the web that promise to help writer promote and advertise their novels. Your team meets and beats what you promise us. I have nothing but praise for AllAuthor and will recommend your invaluable help to any serious writer.
