What is your writing process like?
Pretty routine, actually. I outline the book on paper in very general terms. Then I brainstorm certain scenes that I picture in my head that I would want to include. Then I just start writing. The story sort of takes on its own life, and I wouldn't say it writes itself, but it leads me. I just ask myself what would this character do and then I kind of let it happen.
How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?
I imagine my lead character in all sorts of different situations: he's in a bank when a robbery happens, or he's at the scene of an accident, or he has a friend in trouble. Then I just sort of play with the scene in my imagination and see if I think it could develop into a full novel. Many times it doesn't, but it is an interesting side story. In the Morrow's Con books, I often use those for the start of the book when I like to open with a con game already in play. Its fun to write essentially a short story at the beginning of the book before I get into the main story. And if I can, I tie a lesson learned or some kind of connection with the main story.
How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I cry a lot! Just kidding. A bad review feels like a dagger to my heart for about 2 seconds, and then I get over it. I remind myself I'm not writing for everyone. I'm writing for a select audience, and those are the people I'm trying to please. Some books I've written probably deserved some harsh comments, so I try to learn from that. It's great when the review is specific. If somebody gives me one or two stars but no actual comments, that's a drag. I can't be a better author without specifics.
How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
I started writing business books under my real name in 2008. Then I challenged myself to write a series of novellas or short novels under another pen name to experiment. In 2014, I wrote 12 in a year and learned a great deal about writing in the process. Some of those books were not too great - as in, Hemmingway has nothing to fear from me. But the experience itself was invaluable.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
I've written 4 business books, 13 romance novels, 4 dystopian books in a series, and now 4 books so far in the Morrow's Con series. Book 4 is coming out in early June. My favorite is the one I haven't published yet. I wrote the last book of the Morrow's Con series before any of the others and then realized I really liked the character and wanted to write more. I didn't originally plan to write a series. The last book is called, appropriately enough, Morrow's Last Con. It ties up all the loose ends and resolves a ton of issues.
What inspired the idea for your book?
What inspired me? Movies! Always! The Hunger Games was powerful, and it spurred me on to write the four dystopian books. And Oceans 11, The Grifters, The Sting, all inspired me to write Morrow's Con books.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
I'd choose Lee Child. The Jack Reacher series is one of the best ever. If I could experience one-tenth of his success level, I would be ecstatic!