What is your writing process like?
Chaotic. I don't usually know how my stories will unfold, because I write as ideas come into my head. This is not an efficient way to write because I have to go back and forth to make sure there are agreements and a strong thread to tie all of the pieces together. But this method works for me.
How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?
Current events, and hearing other people's stories of social injustices either in social media or in the news.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
The inability to image what a character might experience and how he or she would respond. A core part of my work is the ability to empathize with others, but some situations require a lot of research and soul searching before the light bulb clicks in my mind.
How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I learn for the reviews that offer concrete examples, and respect that everyone has a different opinion with different wants or needs from a book. The cutting reviews do feel like a knife stabbing my soul, but I have to step back and realize that I just couldn't connect with that person.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
Finding blocks of uninterrupted time. Most writers have a hard time making a living from the work so we need to have another job that pays the bills. Employer demands, family demands, and life demands like fixing a roof that leaks all distract from the world I create in my mind.
How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
Most of my life. I've always been fascinated with words and the ability to write in way that is accessible to others. I've also love the use of metaphor and foreshadowing. to me these are like being a detective.
What advice would you give writers working on their first book?
Realize that writing the book is the easy part. Getting it known and then getting people to read it are very difficult. Also, be aware that a book that doesn't take off means absolutely nothing. Books that do well just happen to have the right content at the right time. But, theses change quickly, so don't give up.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
I've written seven books, most are nonfiction. I also wrote a fiction book a long time ago that was a clausal disaster. The publisher provided no editorial advice what-so-ever and the mistakes were numerous. After that I switched to nonfiction where I learned the mechanics of publishing. So I consider Broken Boys Beyond Friendships is my first true fiction novel.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
If you look at the reviews the recurring comment is the emotional roller coaster I take the reader on. It was really hard to dig into the depths of emotions I would imagine the characters to have. In many respects, I felt like I needed to be a method actor, but instead of action, I was describing. Feeling all of these emotions was really difficult.
What inspired the idea for your book?
My life. The book is definitely fiction, but I did have two college roommates who were taken advantage by dubious people and ultimately died way too young. I think writing this book helped me make sense of everything we all went through.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
I can't tell you that because that would be a spoiler. If you read the book you'll figure it out and why. But I will tell one of my favorite scenes to write was when Blake and Logan broke in their Broadcaster's voices and pretended to be a anchorman and field reporter. I liked this scene because this is something my best friend from college and I would do periodically. It was a lot of fun and writing one of these scenes brought back many fond memories for me.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
Coffee in the morning and wine in the evening! Beyond this, I really need solitude so I can get into, and stay in the 'zone'.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Don't know. My likes and interests are very diverse. Also, I'm very much of an introvert so the idea of spending an entire day with someone is not appealing. And, if I'm being honest, I prefer not meet people I look up to. Realizing they are human with flaws is disappointing, and worse... What if we don't get along at all? Nope, I prefer the illusions I create in my head.
When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?
I found that google seems to think I'm someone else! Seriously, they think I'm someone else which is annoying.