Tell us about yourself.:
I am an award-winning short story writer and former U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst. I served six years, rising to the rank of Sergeant. I’m currently a software developer.
My latest novel GODLESS ARMAGEDDON was published by Hypatia Press in 2024. My debut novel, LOST HELIX, was published by Dancing Lemur Press in 2020.
I’m an award-winning short story writer. “Enduring Winter” was a Writers of the Future Awards Finalist and New England Sci-Fi Association's Short Story Contest Runner-up. My stories are in the anthologies ALIEN GAZE and IT CAME FROM HER PURSE. I’ve also appeared in MOBIUS: The Journal for Social Change, The STEAM Journal at Claremont University, and others. My writing advice can be found on my website and YouTube channel.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I was born in Los Angeles, but my family moved back to Pennsylvania when I was still an infant. I grew up on the east coast. Then I traveled the world for the Army and traveled America for software companies. Now, years later, I am back in Los Angeles, where I was born but had never lived until now. Having traveled so much, it add breadth to my settings.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a sixty-game arcade console with all Midway classics like Galaga and Ms. Pac Man. To take a break from writing and recharge, I'll stop and play a couple games. Then back to writing. I'm not getting much better at the games, but I'm getting a lot of writing done.
What authors have influenced you?
I was born in Los Angeles, but my family moved back to Pennsylvania when I was still an infant. I grew up on the east coast. Then I traveled the world for the Army and traveled America for software companies. Now, years later, I am back in Los Angeles, where I was born but had never lived until now. Having traveled so much, it add breadth to my settings.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn. Learn the art. Learn the business. Then assume that everything changed while you weren't looking and learn it all again. Modern readers are different from just twenty years ago. Learn what publishers and readers want now, both in content and presentation. But not in trends.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
It's recent advice, actually, and I've heard it in other forms, but I found this one profound. It's from Bojack Horseman and it applies to so many things: "It gets easier, but you have to do it every day."
What are you reading now?
Futuretrack 5 by Robert Westall, it's an out of print SciFi that a friend tracked down for me because it's his favorite book. I'm enjoying it a lot.
I'm also reading The Fourth Portal by one of my favorite authors J. A. Merkel. Great book!
What’s your biggest weakness?
Peanut butter cups. I cannot have them in the house, or I will outgrow my house.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut, a tale of cascading irony ending in futility.
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to hike, play video games, and watch cartoons. When I was a kid liked fishing but then I realized I didn't like the fishing part of fishing…so now I am a hiker.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The Little Prince. I think it's why I love poetry and I sometimes work poetry into my prose.
What has inspired you and your writing style?
I have read classics and pulp and let it all become a part of me and my style. It has allowed me to shift my voice to suit the scene.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on The Analogue Wanderer
There once was a boy born into a world where he could have anything he wanted, become anything he could imagine, just by thinking about it, and he found it all very upsetting.
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
Being on writer panels. I enjoy talking to an audience about my work.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing and keep promoting myself and others.
How well do you work under pressure?
Very well. I was an Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Army. I rose to the rank of Sergeant and headed my own team. In addition to serving in a war zone, I had to face everyone's greatest fear: public speaking. I have briefed Generals and Ambassadors in various situations.
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
I let the story and the character dictate the tone. If you read my short stories, you'll get to see the variety of tones and voices I can write in. For example, the tone and voice of "The Last Mortician" will be quite different from "Happy Pills and Candy Bars". Both can be found on my published works page of my website.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
I truly hope you enjoy my stories. I write them for you.
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