Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Fremont, CA, where I was born and raised with six older siblings (three brothers, three sisters). I grew up around science fiction and, by the time I was eleven years old, I decided to write down the series of Star Trek stories I had been creating at the time with my collection of Micro Machines.
A few years later, I was inspired to create my own science fiction Universe. The three novels I have out (Draconia: Forging Trust, Fractured Dream, Rehatching) are set in that Universe. But, before these three, I was working on a series of short stories that would have consisted of 60 stories, each one a chapter–I only made it to 45 before I got sidetracked with my Draconia series. I’ve also written four short “novels” and five short stories set on Draconia.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, due to launch January 1, 2015, is Draconia: Rehatching, the third book in my Draconia series.
Ten years ago, I had a sudden interest in dragons, which led me to discover Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern. Then, I happened upon an episode of the original Star Trek, where Spock mentions “dragons” on “Berengaria VII”. Around that time, I also watched J. Michael Straczynski’s Crusade, which had an episode featuring a dragon–a holo-dragon, but a dragon nevertheless. All of these gave me the desire to create my own dragon world set in the Universe that I spent the last six years creating. This world came to be called Draconia.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None that I’m aware of.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Anne McCaffrey and her Dragonriders of Pern, definitely. When I started to read her books, I began noticing a marked improvement in my writing.
What are you working on now?
I’ve gone back to one of the short “novels” that I originally wrote twelve years ago. I’m re-writing it and expanding it to make it a true novel. For now, it’s called Final Frontier, but I might change that, and it follows Earth’s first interstellar ship, the EAS Frontier, as it’s thrown back and forth through time.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m actually still figuring that out…
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot and be observant as you go about your day. Inspiration can come from anywhere.
Listen to your characters. Sometimes, they’ll want to do something different than what you had planned. Sometimes, they know better.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading Fantastic Voyage, the novelization of the 1966 movie written by Isaac Asimov.
This is the first time I’ve read something from him, but I was told my style is very similar to his. I agree.
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?
The Bible
Nor Crystal Tears by Alan Dean Foster
The Dolphins of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
Author Websites and Profiles
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