When did you start writing?

During the course of my public safety career I have written a variety of training and safety manuals, perspective pieces for the local print media and several topic specific articles that were published in regional and national magazines and journals.

I wrote my first book, "A Red Dress" after being urged to by my wife during the final year of my public safety career (2020).

What makes writing your passion?

I love to tell stories. Both fiction and non fiction. I have enjoyed an outstanding public safety career and fortunately, or unfortunately been involved in responding to, investigating or supervising hundreds of fire, murder, robbery, organized crime incidents and thus have a warehouse of real stories and experiences to I draw from.

How long have you been writing?

I have only been writing as a book author since 2020.

What was the feeling when you published your first book?

Excitement, satisfaction and a strong sense of accomplishment.

What’s the story behind your choice of characters?

I try to play off of my own personal character, the people I have worked with and the multitude of crooks, thugs and ne'er-do-wells.

What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?

The business side of writing books.

How do you get over the “writer’s block”?

I've not experienced it yet.

We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?

I think that being a good and successful author requires a good story, a good story presentation and often requires the sharing of bits and pieces of the journey with readers.

If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?

I would say, "Hold on. This is going to be the most amazing, exciting and satisfying journey you, or anyone else for that matter, could ever imagine."

I have lived my life by a quote from Henry Ford and later Sir Winston Churchill. "Whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, your right."

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?

I try not to take it too personal.

What is the feeling when you get a good review?

Satisfaction and pleasure.

Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?

Absolutely.

Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?

Ben Fields in the Red Dress and Jake Manning in my next book represent who I believe I have been my whole life and continue to be.

What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?

The book cover and title are two of the most important parts of successful book publishing and marketing. The book cover must draw attention and provide a visual snippet of the books content. The book cover and title must attract potential readers.

One cannot be a successful writer if no one reads what they write.

Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?

How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?

It gives me a sense of pride and appreciation.

Who is your favorite author? Why?

I have many but Joseph Wambaugh has always been a favorite. Along with James Patterson, Lee Childs and John Grisham.

What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?

Joseph Wambaugh, James Patterson, Lee Childs or John Grisham.

Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?

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