Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former attorney with experience in criminal defense, which inspired me to write Sick Man. My short fiction has been published in several print and online magazines, including Mysterical-E and the Sacramento News and Review, and I have published nonfiction articles in several trade magazines. Sick Man is my first novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Sick Man. I was inspired by my home town. I live in Portland, Oregon, and it rains a LOT here. I had been reading a lot of crime noir, and while walking home one evening I realized that gloomy, wet Portland was the perfect setting for a noir novel. We also have some pretty strange religious cults around here. It wasn’t hard to adapt some real world stories to make a compelling plot.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know whether I’d call it unusual, but I find I do my best writing by hand. Like most people, I do most of my writing on a computer, but occasionally I’ll grab pen and paper, and I always seem to come up with my best stuff when I do.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My two biggest influences are Ian Rankin’s Rebus series and Michael Connelly’s Bosch series. The way those guys combine character, story, setting, and mood is incredible. Everything a good crime book should be.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next book in the Mick Wray series. I was getting close to being done when recent events around the Black Lives Matter movement compelled me to take the story in a new direction. It’s frustrating to throw good work away, but the end result will be a better and more relevant book.
I’m also working on a thriller set mostly in England and Spain. Not strictly a crime novel, and very different from Sick Man, but I’m excited about it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Don’t be afraid to be That Guy. Tell people about your book. Ask them to review it. And of course use great promo services like Awesome Gang!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find ways to make writing fun. For me, it’s interacting with other writers. Many people say to set daily or weekly word count goals. That’s great for most people, but I find it kills my inspiration and turns writing into a grind. Yeah, make it fun!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid to create something.
What are you reading now?
My good friend Eric DeWeese’s new book Breach! It’s excellent.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep trying to enjoy the journey and see where it takes me.
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?
Dune, by Frank Herbert. Look to Windward, by Iain M. Banks. The Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler.
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