Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Before I started writing fiction, I was an Army Officer and a business executive. My education includes degrees in Political Science and International Relations. I am a published author of three management books and various business articles.
I have been fortunate to meet remarkable people from all over the world, most of them good, others not so much. My novels are based on the actions of real people in challenging situations. I believe that it is interesting to understand multi-faceted personalities that are fascinating and evil at the same time, making it difficult to make quick judgments about right and wrong.
Currently, I am following my passion by writing the Tess series of adventure novels. The first two were Tess Awakening and its sequel Tess Valkyrie. Both books are also available in a combined version, Tess – Valkyrie Awakening. The fourth book is Tess: Valkyries United – The Abomination of Human Trafficking, a powerful examination of a global problem.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tess: Day of Reckoning was inspired by current events that include the various problems afflicting the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Tess and Jake continue to fight Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria and try to address the overwhelming refugee crisis in Europe. When ISIS terrorists acquire two North Korean nuclear bombs, Tess and the team must change priorities to prevent a worldwide calamity. The stakes are high — the potential obliteration of European cities and possibly the destruction of Israel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find myself unable to follow good advice about how to write efficiently. I don’t develop an outline beforehand. I don’t even know where I am headed, I just let the story go where it wants to go. I am concerned with quality, and even though the stories are first published in e-book format, they are intended for delivery as printed books. Occasionally I get stuck, and I have to pull back until the story progresses to a logical conclusion almost organically. I don’t get up early or write into the night. I put in a good work day. Even though I am writing a series, I ensure that each book is stand-alone and of the proper length.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the classics: Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Dickens, and Melville. Contemporary authors that influenced me are Stephen King; Kurt Vonnegut; Joseph Heller, the latter masterfully depicting the struggle of soldiers to maintain the sanity while trying to fulfill their duties. I read most of Tom Clancy’s books and Clive Cussler before he started to outsource writing. I like Dean Koontz, David Baldacci and Daniel Silva. I am a fan of historical books, having read most of Churchill’s works and many other works of history ranging from Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and the world wars. I remain amazed how humanity keeps making the same mistakes.
What are you working on now?
More adventures of Tess, Jake and the Team, all based on current events.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t done much to promote my books. I am still testing the waters and pay considerable attention to the reviews that my readers write. I want to meet their expectations and continue to deliver quality.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Follow your heart and get it done.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write – Now!
What are you reading now?
Daniel Silva “The English Spy,” Dean Koontz “The City,” David Baldacci “The Target,” Kip Thorne “The Science of Interstellar,” Ernle Bradford “The Great Siege of Malta.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same. With Tess and her gang, I have built a platform that is suitable for addressing many contemporary issues of interest.
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?
Dante’s “The Divine Comedy,” Stephen King’s “The Stand,” Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind,” Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose.”
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