Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written many short stories, and one novel that I just published in in 2021. I am a lifelong, avid reader. When I was a child I was scared to sleep by myself in my own room. To keep my anxieties in check, I would read … occasionally well into the night until my eyes drooped and I drifted off to sleep. Ironically, my favorite reads were horror stories. Stephen King and Dean Koontz were my favorite nighttime authors.
I have a Masters of Counseling Psychology from Mississippi College, and have worked in the field of mental health of over two decades. During that time I have worked as a recreation therapist, a counselor, a forensic psychologist, a safety director, a unit director and served as the Director of the Office of Incident Management for the MS Department of Mental Health.
I enjoy fishing, golfing, reading, watching the New Orleans Saints get so close to the big one every year, and of course writing — always writing. I have traveled far and wide, but Mississippi will always be my home and I will always be a child of the South.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Delphi Eddies: a southern-fried tale of seduction, secrets, and sin is my latest book. I wrote it with the specific intent of getting away from “Twilight Zone” type endings which seemed to plague me in my short stories. My drive was to create character studies with enough suspense to keep the reader interested and moving forward. I found that the process of writing The Delphi Eddies was cathartic for me, as I ended up drawing upon many of my own life experiences to help paint the portrait of the fictional town of Delphi. I can say, the experience was some of the best therapy I have ever had.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write to music. I often listen to music that I have handpicked to match the desired mood of what I am working on. Also – sometimes I will write on my phone, opening up google docs while I am waiting somewhere. I end up getting a lot of my writing done in this manner. (of course editing comes later!)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As stated above I am an avid Stephen King fan. I also enjoy Dean Koontz, the duo of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, C. S. Lewis, Orson Scott Card, and most recently I have adopted a new favored writer — Stephen Graham Jones.
I have so many favorite books, but last year on Goodreads I listed my favorite as Mexican Gothic. Of all time, I would say that Earth Abides ranks pretty high up there.
What are you working on now?
OK, it is silly, and because of this I may publish under a pen name but I really wanted to write it regardless. The story is about a man made vacation island. Think of it as a giant oil rig, but made into an island, complete with beaches. Due to circumstances I am still working out, the island sinks into the sea and only the tallest buildings are left with some floors still above water. The story will follow several characters (each with their own POV storyline) as they struggle to survive and figure out what to do next.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well I gotta say, awesomegang.com of course!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write! Write continuously and edit later. When you get bored and have a different idea, write it down. You can always come back to the other. The old adage is true, “A writer writes!”
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You have to be daring in your writing. You have to risk something, some part of you. If you never go outside your comfort zone at least a little, you will never discover what you are truly capable of.
What are you reading now?
My Heart Is A Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham Jones
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am collaborating with the wonderful bunch at Novis Opera to produce an audiobook version of The Delphi Eddies, which should be released in the summer of 2021. Meanwhile I will continue to work on the story I described above.
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?
Earth Abides, The Stand, Leaves of Grass
Author Websites and Profiles
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