Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Martinsville and raised mostly in North Carolina. I’ve been married for fourteen years and have two sons. I have a lab named Sadie and two cats, Midnight and Jewel. My two books are Infernal Fall and Almost Paradise both of them are award winners. My third book will be out on April 1st unless my publisher is playing a mean prank on me.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Almost Paradise takes place right after Infernal Fall. It may end up being a duology with various spinoffs. C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce and The Screwtape Letters along with Dante’s Inferno were my inspiration for this book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find that ideas come while I’m in motion so jogging helps me to generate and formulate and even when things are unclear I know that sitting in front of a computer typing the work is enough to drive the story home. I may go over the first few chapters a few times but after that I don’t revise until after the second draft is complete even if I’m aware of plotholes. I’ll note and fix them in those cases on the next swing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
All the classics. Tolkien and Lewis. Sanderson and Jordan. King and Koontz. There are many others.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the first spin-off from my Infernal Fall series. It’s a middle grade called Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast. Do note that Infernal Fall is for young adults and up. Iffy will be a fun imaginative story for everyone, especially kids unfamiliar with my more mature works.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not very good at promoting. I rely on others and I really need to get better at that. My publisher uses various online promotions where the ebooks are free for certain days to generate more interest and more reviews (hopefully) with Freebooksy and others. I’ve used written word media successfully. I’ve heard many people say to do this and/or that, but my main drive is to write really good stories. They say content is king and I really hope that’s so.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get your work critiqued. Hire a good editor. Don’t rely on one source such as a single book on writing. Take time to learn from multiple sources. Read good works and use that as inspiration. Make your characters believable. Use an economy of words. Write every day. If publishers and agents reject your work, it doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. Keep going and keep your head up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What are you reading now?
I’m enjoying The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After Iffy, I plan to start another adult novel and continue to improve my craft. In the back of my mind, I’m considering what I may teach if I’m ever asked to.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Way of Kings.
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