Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a born-and-bred St. Louisan who has lived just about everywhere else for the last 25 years. But no matter where I’ve lived, I’ve always been a novelist deep down.
I’ve had one novel published by a traditional publisher: Parts Unknown, which came out in 2003. More recently I decided to self-publish a new novel, Yesterday Road, as well as a very short collection of flash fiction called Our Children Are Not Our Children. I’m planning to publish another novel later in 2014.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is called Yesterday Road, and it’s about an octogenarian who hits the road in search of his daughter. Along the way he’s befriended by a young man with Down syndrome, who becomes something of a good luck charm for him, as well as a middle-aged waitress. These three embark on a kind of Wizard of Oz journey through the American West.
My main inspiration for this book was the idea of more or less helpless people helping each other. I like the notion that there’s power in the meek if they work together.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I used to get up at 4 in the morning to write for a couple of hours each day before work. That got old quick, so now that I’m self-employed I’m able to write at more civilized times of day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was younger, I really took to writers like Kurt Vonnegut, Joseph Heller, and John Irving. I like their use of humor in depicting what are actually serious themes. Later I discovered other authors with different styles and approaches: Jane Smiley, for example, Marilynne Robinson, Anne Tyler. For pure enjoyment, I always loved Tom Robbins too.
What are you working on now?
I’m finalizing my next book, Wish I Were Here, which is a departure for me. Chick-lit. I’m hoping I can convince readers that a male author can write a believable female protagonist!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I’ve had the best results with Ereader News Today. I’ve tried a number of free and paid options, but their subscribers came out in better numbers. My blog has also been a great way to attract and interact with new readers. I use Twitter and Facebook too, but they’ve proven to be more of a writers’ community than a good marketing tool.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Not really. If you want to be a writer, you know what you need to do. I’d just recommend that you get your stuff into the best condition possible before submitting it to an agent or magazine editor. A lot of younger writers are in a big rush, and their work could use more polishing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Plastics.”
What are you reading now?
At the moment, I’m reading “Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World” by Haruki Murakami. I haven’t read him before, so I’m really interested in his style and rare imagination.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing. It’s a long trek, so you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other…
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?
This kind of question always kills me! As soon as I name a book or two, I think of ten others.
This time I think I’ll just take along some of my old favorites: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, The World According to Garp by John Irving, and oh — here’s a good one I almost forgot! — The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx.
That should keep me happy for a while.
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