Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
While I spent the majority of my adult life in telecommunications, (operations, software and hardware cognizant engineer, and systems implementation), I come from a family that, in hindsight, was an enterprise for arts and sports. My grandmother was a sob-sister, writing human interest pieces for a penny a column inch. Eventually she opened her own publishing company which remained in operation for several years prior to my birth. But she remained a strong influence on my reading and writing habits. Just as powerful, my mother was an actress in little theater productions. So, these two women had a tremendous impact.
Writing raised up its head when I was twelve. I had read William Golding’s “Pincher Martin,” and found it fascinating, and upon a visit to my uncle and his wife, (he was an Army hero and she was working at the Pentagon in the film relations department), I was invited to sit in on some screenings of films that involved the US Armed Forces. We would receive a copy of the script to follow the film and make notes about appropriateness. So, in my naivety, I launched into scripting “Pincher Martin.” But I never really discovered writing until I had performed in several stage plays, and had enlisted in the USAF. It was there that I realized how little I knew and how much I had to learn.
Along the way, I was fortunate enough to have written several story lines and a couple of teleplays — all dabblings while living my engineering life in NASA/JPL’s Deep Space Network.
These many years later, I have completed two novels. The character, Noah Chance began as an Homage to “those that went before,” including Sam Spade, Phillip Marlowe, Mike Hammer, and a conglomeration of television gumshoes. But, I’d like to think, that with “Chance in Hell” and “Second Chance” that Noah has found his own voice, his own footing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is “Second Chance.” I have a great relationship with my publisher, Three Graces Press, and in particular, with Darren Westlund. I think we both came to the conclusion that “Second Chance” could set a standard by which a trilogy could be created — perhaps a series.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Really. On a good day, I “gush.” On a poor day, I struggle to get one coherent sentence down. But I “worry” about it every day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many, many. But to pick a few: Sophocles, Chandler, Golding, Joseph Heller, Derek Swannson, James Michener, James Clavell, Lee Child, James Lee Burke. The list goes on.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the third book in the Noah Chance series. The working title is “Fat Chance.” It deals with the fall out from the 2008 banking disaster. The events that continue to unfold will give Chance an opportunity to get involved with whistle-blowers, crooks, spies, and agents of the NSA, all simmering in the Deep Net.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have what I would call a “best” method. I surf through the Internet looking for suggestions and opportunities for “site” postings. But I suspect most writers are doing that. Of course, find good, honest reviewers, build a support team of fans and writers, and keep plugging away. I work from a very small budget, mainly fishing around to see what works.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Don’t stop. But, up front, if you are chasing money, this is the wrong game. Eventually, your commitment to continued work will pay off. You hear that time and time again, and I believe it is true. We are at the beginning of the adventure — not the end. So keep on keeping on, as we used to say.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read. If you have difficulty reading take survey of literature courses at your local junior college. Force yourself to read.
And, write.
What are you reading now?
“The Mark and the Void” by Paul Murray is next up on my list.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Happy Thanksgiving with family. (I do take some time off.) And, then continued work on “Fat Chance.”
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?
Wow. Well, the Bible — it has such a rich set of stories, villains, and heroes, and always with some moral conviction — always something there to learn. Probably The Grimm Brothers — scared me when I was a kid, scares me now. Something by Heller or Swannson to make me laugh. And anything by Joseph Campbell.
Author Websites and Profiles
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