Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently work in corporate America so writing, at this point, is a part time job. My wife and I have been married over thirty years and I have two grown children.
This is my first book. I am currently working on my second and I have ideas for 5 more in various stages of development.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first novel is a horror novel called “In the Shadows”. Many years ago when my daughter was small we took a trip to New York City with a group of friends. It was very cold out and we had gone into the lobby of a large office building to get warm. A homeless man was camped out there, sitting on the floor with bags and stuff around him. At first my daughter didn’t see him, but then she caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye and she got scared.
Thinking about that moment years later, I thought what if she had seen something in that man that the adults had not. Adults tend to avert their eyes, not willing to engage in eye to eye contact or so as not to seem like they are staring at the person. But kids will stare, and what if there was more there than just a normal homeless man?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No real unusual habits. I don’t use an outline. I just write but I don’t initially number the Chapters. I just write the various scenes as different sections with a separator and then I can switch them around and reorder them without renumbering. Once I am done and I have things in a sequence I like I will go through and break it into chapters.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I write horror, so the obvious but truthful answer is Stephen King. I also enjoy his son Joe Hill’s work. I like horror where the characters are very down to earth and believable. I find I can suspend disbelief in the more fantastic elements of a story if those elements are anchored to the familiar.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my second novel “Human Trials” about a drug trial that has disastrous consequences.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wish I could give some good advice here. I have yet to find a really effective way to promote my work. There is so much being put out these days it is a real struggle to get noticed in the crowd.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep refining your work and don’t get discouraged. At least for me, I find I will write a few paragraphs and while writing it and think “this is good stuff”. Then I will read it over and think “this is a load of crap”. So I keep going over it, refining it, adding nuance and detail. Getting the proper phrasing and language to add mood and texture. Eventually it turns into something I am satisfied with. It never flows from brain to paper perfectly, so keep at it and it will get there.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Best advice I ever heard came from my wife; “Stop telling me all these ideas you have for books and start writing.” Writing is a lot of work. Bite the bullet and do it. The results may not always be financially rewarding but they are personally rewarding.
What are you reading now?
I just finished reading “In the Valley of the Sun” by Andy Davidson. I highly recommend it. Not only is it a great story but Mr. Davidson is a fantastic writer. His ability to paint a mood and an atmosphere with words is awe inspiring.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just to keep writing. Like I mentioned I have a lot of material floating around in my head, I need to relieve the pressure. I love getting feedback from people who have read my work. It is very gratifying when someone has been entertained by something you created.
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 Shining” and “The Stand” Stephen King, “Ghost Story” Peter Straub and the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Author Websites and Profiles
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