Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born in 1946, I am a writer, blogger and author with a wicked sense of humor. I get my writing ideas from observing people, places and things and watching true court cases and talk shows on TV.
The books and short stories that I have written include Making Dollar$ And Cent$ Out Of Online Dating, which is a true and humorous story as to why and how I got into the dating business and the problems that I have encountered in the past while trying to keep afloat in the ever-changing world of the Internet dating business.
Shades of Deception is a collection of ten fictional short stories centering on diverse men and women, who in their speedy search for love, romance and bliss, become the targets and victims of deceit, betrayal, fraud, revenge, and scandal.
Malicious Acts an anthology of five short stories that centers on people who will stop at nothing to get what they want. If it means disguising themselves as benevolent individuals and destroying lives along the way, they are up for the thrill. They will use romance, sex, lust, greed, manipulation, and deceit as preludes to suck unsuspecting men and women out of their life’s savings.
The Man with the White Handkerchief is a digital short story, (under 600 words) which partook in the Lulu Short Story Contest in 2011. A woman is approached by a stranger asking for directions to a specific street, but she has no recollection as to what took place after that encounter.
Wicked Intent is a fictional short story about a successful businessperson who is planning to marry his self-centered fiancée, but a beautiful stranger sidetracks him. She will bring lust, desire, and eroticism into his life but will ultimately destroy his relationship with the one person who has always stood by him.
Retribution Unleashed, which ranked No. 66 on UBAWA’s (Urban Books, Authors, & Writers of America) top 100 Books of 2013, picks up where Wicked Intent left off. The story examines the lengths a mother will go to seek reprisal against her son and his wife, whom she holds responsible for stealing her vast fortune.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Deception in Plain Sight, which centers on a wealthy woman who believes she has met her true love, but she will end up living in a fool’s paradise. I really cannot tell you what inspired me to write the book. I get my story ideas from watching people, places and objects, listening in on conversations and from real TV court cases. Receiving letters and emails from people claiming to have inherited millions of dollars, and are willing to share their windfall for a fee, have been some of my greatest inspirations.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I start writing on my computer in the mornings or evenings.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many authors, but I will name just a few: Maya Angelou, Walter Mosley, James Patterson, Tananarive Due, and Terry McMillan.
What are you working on now?
I am not working on anything at the moment, but I will continue to write articles on dating, romance, relationship and topics of interest on my One World Singles Magazine Blog
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth is a great form of promoting your book, social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter. I also find submitting press releases to various sites helpful.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you have a story to tell, tell it. If a traditional publishing house turns down your manuscript, think about self-publishing. Many sites provide the necessary tools to publish your book without costing you an arm and a leg. Avoid vanity press and subsidy publishers, unless you are a trust fund baby.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was reading an article about a playwright, who said, “You will never write a perfect play.” And the same can be said for writing a book.
What are you reading now?
I just finished reading “Forty Acres” by Dwayne Alexander Smith. What a page-turning thriller!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be taking a break from writing stories and will be doing what I usually do: promote and support other authors on my Blog.
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 type of books that I would bring would be crime stories, political and psycological thrillers, and murder mysteries.
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