Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an English teacher from Arkansas, with a wonderful wife and two very young boys. I love reading and writing, and I especially love stories most of all. I’ve written two novels, but only published one.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Skate the Thief” sprung from a conversation with a friend about getting stabbed and how terrible that would be. My friend brought up the fact that there are mythical creatures who wouldn’t be hurt by it, but could still be annoyed. That was the start of it, and I went from there to try to tell a story about poverty, danger, and difficult choices.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to title my working projects something goofy to give my spirits a lift before setting down to write. “Skate the Thief” had the working title of “The Liar, the Lich, and the War Robes.” Whenever I would workshop parts of the book with other writers, that was the title I would use, and I would always get feedback about how much people either loved or hated that name for it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think the first author that I read that made me want to write was R. A. Salvatore. I picked up “The Dark Elf Trilogy” from the library in junior high, and never looked back. Alongside him, I’d have to put down J. K. Rowling and George R. R. Martin as big influences on the kind of story I want to tell (not necessarily in content, mind you, but in styles and themes).
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on book 2 of The Rag & Bone Chronicles, the direct sequel to “Skate the Thief.” I’ve got about four other projects started to various degrees, but all of my attention is on Skate right now.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For me, Facebook has been the best place to gather an audience and get my work out. I’ve had some success with Twitter as well. Constant content creating and sharing keeps would-be readers engaged while they wait for updates on the book, so I try to keep up with it all.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Always try to improve. No matter how good or bad you think you are at writing, you can always do these two things.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“In writing, kill your darlings.” You may have written what you thought was a really good sentence at the time, but if people are telling you they’re bad during the editing process, get rid of the sentence or cut it out.
What are you reading now?
I just recently finished a re-read of Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, and I’m going to pick up a graphic novel for my next read. I’m either going to do a re-read of Gaiman’s “Sandman,” or else try to find an omnibus of Gillen and McKelvie’s “The Wicked + the Divine.” It’s on-going, so I may have to be satisfied with the first half or so.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the R&B Chronicles first. After that, one of my projects. R&B is YA fantasy, but the next project is going to be more adult fantasy, I think.
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?
I can’t answer that. I can tell you which book I’ve reread more than other, though: Salvatore’s “The Cleric Quintet,” which is technically five books, but it’s usually sold as one cinder-block of a book.
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