Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve spent time in the US intelligence community, and rubbed elbows with former US special operatives. My love of spy fiction and science fiction come together in a fun way in the book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the first in a series: The Scions of Terra. The idea just came to me one day, honestly, while I was working, I believe.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get lots of ideas for unexpected twists and bits of humor, and a lot of creative ideas for dialogue in general. The dialogue in my writing does not tend to be cookie-cutter, by any means. I have a hard time restraining myself from adding humor sometimes, but I believe I control it well enough to make it work.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tom Clancy’s The Teeth of the Tiger was a fun read, in that it showed clandestine operations in a narrative style. I enjoyed that very much, kind of like a netflix show in a book.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am marketing The Scions of Terra: Volume I and looking forward to the next installment, which takes place immediately after the first.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I will kindly thank anyone offering to throw my book out. Awesome Gang is a great help.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
A fiction story is a hand-held vacation. Readers want to go somewhere enjoyable, and you are the travel agent. Find out what they like, and take them on a trip. Social commentary and emotionally hard moments are hallmarks of good writing, but never write with the intent to bash or discourage a demographic of readers. If you write with that intent, your royalty checks and review stars will requite you with a short career. Instead, prop up behaviors you approve of. And in terms of tragedy, make sure that the tragedy adds to the book, FOR THE READER. A loved character has to die, make it a memorable moment that seals the character in literature’s history, make it a sentimental token to remember the character by. And have the story produce their death, not the author. Readers can handle well-written tragedy to some extent, but if they reach the end of your book feeling abused, like the beloved character died for nothing, get ready to lose readers and dollars.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
What are you reading now?
Honestly, I am working day and night on marketing and the second installment of the SoT series.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The next installment of the Scions of Terra series, which takes place immediately after the first.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Scions of Terra, The Teeth of the Tiger and the Bible