Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Each of the three books I have thusfar written are from a genuine sense of knowing the communities in which I live. I was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, and lived in the Mississippi River Valley for over 30 years. Grateful for the privilege of living along the Mississippi river, as a writer I remember the people of the small river communities and shares their faith that small town values and lifestyle will be everlasting. I am currently finishing Book 3 of the Trilogy: The Secrets of Clayton County
My education spans from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas to Rutgers University in Brunswick, New Jersey. An accomplished writer, I spent 30 years in the technical training and development arena, as a technical writer, instructional designer, and interactive learning systems designer and producer. My career took me far from my roots… throughout the US and Canada, as well as England, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.
Today, I enjoy putting my own voice to print, and using my writing as a vehicle for taking readers back to their own roots. Writing novels inspired by my heritage, I always welcome the opportunity to speak about bartering, the Trilogy, or my journey as an author. I currently reside with my wife, Pat, in sunny Arizona.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Homecoming.
The third and final book in the Trilogy, The Homecoming, takes readers into Sarah’s life as a key community member, wife of a local hero, and mother of two children who have developed into personalities as strong and independent as Sarah. Although the fabric of community and culture remains strong in the final book, and the issue of bartering is revisited again and again, it is the sense of relationships within Sarah’s immediate family that keeps readers turning pages.
The inspiration for The Homecoming is bringing the secrets of Clayton County full circle. The richness of tomorrow is always designed by the fullness of the lives we choose to lead; I’ve been told the characters in my stories tap into the hearts of my readers – and those readers want to know “how the story ends.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
METHOD: I describe my method of writing a novel as writing in “layers.”
• The first layer is to outline the story in a modified step-sheet that includes all scenes
• The second layer is when I spend a lot of time arranging these scenes into the sequence of the story.
• Then… during the third layer I write the story thinking only of time, place, characters, and action
• The fourth layer is when I go back through the story and fill in the setting, weather, and other things that impact the scene
• The fifth layer is when I focus on each character and add description of their appearance, and behavior during their dialogue.
ROUTINE: Actually, I write every day. Though I’m at my best in the morning when I write two to four hours, I often get out of bed at night to write a scene that’s playing in my head. Of course I don’t want to lose it, so I write it and go back to bed.
Other times during the day I read, review and rewrite material that has been written for the novel. A great place to do this is waiting rooms of your doctor or other services when you are wasting time anyway.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have enjoyed reading a large collective of authors – no one in particular stands out because I am always in quest for yet another “style” of writing. I enjoy books about people and relationships and those which speak a larger message to the spiritual side of our being.
What are you working on now?
I am diligently working on The Homecoming; however, when I get a little “nudge” in other directions I write a “short” for my Literary Strategist to use in my marketing. Many times these shorts are just explorations of new characters.
Looking at writing a book on bi=polar disorder, I am also completing research for that… in preparation of course – not procrastinating on The Homecoming!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Quite frankly, I have left that to the skills of my Literary Strategist. I write, she communicates what she needs me to do – I complete the task and head back to my writing. There is just too much to learn and know about the whole marketing part that I would rather trust in her gaining the visibility I need so I can be free to do what I do best… write.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in yourself and make sure the message you share is intended for a specific audience. Writing for the sake of writing is not likely to allow you to be highly compensated for leaving your mark on the world.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Produce a good quality book… otherwise, the efforts I have extended may well be for naught. No amount of marketing can cover up a poorly written book.
What are you reading now?
I try not to read while I am writing… I don’t want to confuse another author’s work or style with what I am trying to craft.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A discovery of bi-polar disorder. I have experienced it first hand and know there is a rich life that can still be lived. I fear far too many people allow themselves to travel down that long dark hole – thinking there is no quality of life possible for them. That thinking is a travesty!
What is your favorite book of all time?
My favorite childhood book was Mark Twain; as an adult I tend to lean toward the Bible.
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