How does this author balance his time between family, friends, and writing? What type of books does he like to read? What advice does he have for those who are striving to be published?
What is your favorite genre in which to write?
Books are like movies to me – an opportunity to escape the reality of my everyday life. I lean towards the dark side and always will. It has been ingrained in me from a child growing up on a steady diet of comic books and horror movies.
What kind of books do you like to read?
I have eclectic tastes in books like my choices of music. Right now I am hooked on John Sanford. I love his characters Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers. The human monsters they hunt and his style of writing make for very enjoyable reads. I need to read more; it’s just finding the time. I savor books and retain what I read. How people chew through something in hours is beyond me.
How do you manage to balance your time between family, friends, and writing?
Balancing time between family, friends and writing is the biggest trick of all. I steal moments on set when we are in perpetual waiting mode. I try and include my wife in the proces,s especially as a sounding board. When I am deep into something she will give me my space, then I try to make it up to her in some way. It’s all a juggle that you make work until it doesn’t anymore, and that is a book by itself.
If you could spend one hour with just one person, dead or alive, whom would you choose? Why?
If I could spend an hour with just one person dead or alive, I would pick Leonardo Da Vinci. Of course I would have to learn Italian first. I can relate to him so much. He was this incredible artist and inventor and worked on so many things simultaneously. His pursuit for knowledge from how man works to machines and their relationships I find fascinating. I don’t think there was anything he couldn’t do if he put his mind to it. He was a pioneer pushing boundaries and didn’t care what others thought or said about him. His legacy inspires and teaches those with the capacity to learn still today.
Do you have any advice for writers who are striving to be published?
My advice to aspiring writer striving to be published is to be realistic about your expectations. If you feel you have a voice that needs to be heard, pursue it with all your being. A dream is just a goal not yet realized. Self-publish and promote yourself. Never make money or fame your goal, or you will set yourself up to fail. Work hard, respect your readers,and the craft, and share. Your generosity will pay back in kind, and one day you may surpass your farthest dreams.
Read my review of Blood Promise in Blood Promise - a Review.
