Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a US Air Force officer, also a huge sci fi fanatic. I have written two books, with three more on the way.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Scorpion: the Rae Wars. It was inspired by a plethora of books, games, movies, comics, history, and my life. But all in all, I just wanted to write a sci fi series that a dedicated and detail-oriented reader like myself could immerse themselves in and would want to keep reading.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
White boards. I love white boards, they are great for throwing down ideas quickly so you can use them later. I have three around my house, and one at work. They are all covered in bizarre notes that really only make sense to me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I could go on all day about authors and books that have influenced me. My favorite book is Armor by John Steakley, so I definitely throw some nods toward him and his style in my work. Frank Herbert is also a huge inspiration, I love how he built the Dune universe and gave us so many stories within it.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the second book in the Rae Wars series, as well as a pet project that I’m calling Exodus. I tend to work on two things at once, when I get writer’s block working on the main project, it’s nice to switch to the pet project.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth. My writing is slowly building a fan base and they keep me accountable. Facebook is pretty convenient too.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never quit. The first thirty pages are super easy, getting from there to the end is a true test of who you are as an author and when other things in life start happening writing is an easy thing to throw out the window. I have the beginnings of several stories collecting dust that I worked on before I finally put my nose to the grind stone and finished one. The second thing I’ll say is don’t be afraid to delete things. While going through a second draft I deleted nearly ninety pages of writing that just didn’t fit with the story…and it felt like removing one of my own organs. Despite how much effort I put into writing it and how attached I was, it just didn’t fit (no matter how hard I tried to justify it with myself) and it had to go.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When I first started writing I never really took it too seriously, thought of it more as like a silly hobby, and I stopped. My dad gave me the book “The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane” by Robert E. Howard. I absolutely loved the book and the character and my dad told me Howard was only 18 when he first wrote Solomon Kane (I was 18 at the time). Then he said, “So, why can’t you?”
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Armada by Ernest Cline
What’s next for you as a writer?
Book two of the Rae Wars! I’ve got to finish that up and get it out to my readers. Then it’s on to book three.
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?
Armor – John Steakley
Dune – Frank Herbert
Martian Chronicles – Ray Bradbury
Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand
(honorable mention would be the Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown, but that’s three books dude)
Author Websites and Profiles
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