The Fiver:

1. What is your writing process?

I have to be in the mood. Trying to force myself to write if I am tired (two kids and a full-time job, energy is depleted most of the time), really is a terrible recipe for getting a story where I want it. When I sit down to write, music is a must. I love to lose myself to a scene, and it really adds that element of almost like playing a movie in my mind with a soundtrack bringing this extra layer of adrenaline to my fingers!

2. What inspires you to write?

The love of stories. I think everyone who has an affection for reading, has, at one point or another, wanted to create something like what they are reading. For me, it was just that. I found myself wanting to create worlds, characters, story lines, heartbreak, heroic moments, etc. Mostly, I wanted to do it for me, but the fact that other people have found some joy in my first novel, is just such an added bonus.

3. Writing is considered a dream job by many, but what if you were granted the opportunity for a true, magical ‘dream job’. What would it be and why?

Honestly, I would love to write a screenplay for a movie. For example, and I am sure this is like this for other writers, I could SEE everything I jotted down for my novel, ‘From the Ash’, in my head. It’s one thing to bring it to a page…but alive on a TV or the big screen? Just…oh how great that would be…

4. You are standing on a stage, addressing a high school auditorium of teenage creative writers. What advice would you impart to them about the craft and the career path of being a writer?

Doubt. Doubt is something that will be your enemy along the way. The key is to continuously believe in yourself. Make that doubt go from ear shattering screams, trying to hold you back from creating something you are truly passionate about, to barely audible whispers. You can overcome anything if you truly believe in yourself. Your story awaits to be told. Only you can let us see it.

5. You’re stranded in a snowed in cabin, well stocked up on food, but no internet. What is on your emergency book shelf?

Anything Brandon Sanderson writes. The Thousand Orc War by R.A. Salvatore. Timothy and Callis Rose by Mark Tufo.

Where to find him:

Any other news or updates you would like to share?

I am currently working on the sequel to FTA. Following that, I plan on closing it out, making it a trilogy. Then! I plan on releasing my fantasy novel “Wings of the Chosen”, which is near and dear to my heart. (Long story) 🙂