Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have a B. A. in Philosophy, have traveled extensively — 34 countries in the past decade — am a songwriter and music producer, and an evolutionary humanist. I’ve spent my life trying to resolve the intrinsic clash between the metaphysical purity of Buddhism and the overwhelming appeal of narcissism.
I’m author of nine novels, three non-fiction political books, and one creative non-fiction fantasy/travel/cookbook. Currently in development is a new novel set in Africa, and an American satire on the self-help crazes of the 80s and 90s.
I now live in a quiet, traditional, rural Japanese community, where I find infinite delight in the ringing of temple bells three times a day by monks at a local Shinto shrine. I have to say, these days I’m mostly immersed in good vibrations.
“Scribo ergo sum.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, as yet unpublished, is called “Love Connection: Romance in the Land of the Rising Sun”. It’s set here in Japan but there is extensive travel to the African continent. The title is ironic, since it’s not a love story at all but about drug trafficking. Japan is extremely strict about drugs, making the market here very lucrative. Smugglers are always trying to find new inventive ways to get illegal recreational drugs into the country. This new novel is based on true stories about such misadventures.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My best writing occurs either when in bed I’m sleeping or when I’m riding a bike.
While both of these offer impressive results, they certainly have their drawbacks.
I actually do write in my sleep, waking up either in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning with whole passages written. Occasionally I’ll scribble a phrase down on a piece of paper – once it was my wife’s arm – but usually, I figure if what I came up with is that good, surely I’ll remember it later, after I’ve restored full neurological function with a cup of coffee and an omelette.
I ride my bike every day, up to 25 miles. The physical activity manages to get the sludge that my hemoglobin has become moving through my arterial system, supplying much-needed nutrients and oxygen to my brain. This results in a cerebral eruption, much like a volcano. I often have to stop many times to make notes on a pad. One bike ride of only three miles took four days and my wife filed a missing persons report. I’m thinking I should buy a little voice recorder to make this more efficient.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kurt Vonnegut because he’s totally original and funny, Norman Mailer because he can take a punch, Haruki Murakami because he is weird but his language soars, Tom Robbins because he is a master craftsman. Recently I’ve also become fascinated by Charles Bukowski. I think this is the rough-and-tumble of growing up in Detroit reemerging like a long latent skin rash.
What are you working on now?
Next in the pipeline is a spoof on the self-help crazes in America during the late 80s and 90s called “Sex, Lies, and Coffee Beans”. Then a novel set in 19th Century sub-Saharan Africa called “The Last Giraffe”, about the worship and devouring of giraffes, respectively by two competing tribes. It’s a delicious exploration of metaphysics and primitive war. I hope if it’s successful to be able to start a fast-food chain featuring giraffe-burgers.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Every day at noon I go to the center of town wearing nothing but a sandwich sign which advertises whatever my latest book is. I always use short catchy phrases, emphasizing each by having them in all caps and punctuating them with an exclamation point. For example, with “Petrocelli[” my sign says: VIOLENT! SICK! CRUEL! SEX SELLS! YOUNG GIRLS EXPLOITED! BUY THIS BOOK OR I’LL SHOOT MY DOG!
Unfortunately, I live in a rural town in Japan and no one speaks English, so this has not been especially effective. I’ve been arrested three times for indecent exposure. This was headlined in our local paper. But like they say: ALL PUBLICITY IS GOOD PUBLICITY!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The Four Commandments for success as a writer . . .
If it feels good, do it.
Never take no for an answer.
There’s a reason for everything.
Stay away from cliches.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If opportunity knocks, it’s time to buy a doorbell.
What are you reading now?
The end notes of “The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II” by John W. Dower. Profoundly eye-opening book which offers poor prospects for the survival of the human race. I can’t stop laughing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
(Believe it or not . . . a serious answer!) I’m attempting to turn my political rant, “The Peace Dividend: The Most Controversial Proposal in the History of the World”, into a movie, a full-length feature documentary. I’m talking to a three-time-Oscar-winning director, and such mega-stars as Sean Penn, George Clooney, John Cusack, and Susan Sarandon, about this important project. Everyone loves the concept but are not sure they want to destroy their careers by promoting peace in a country that is addicted to war and violence.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Impossible to answer. There are so many phenomenal books. But that’s not the reason. I grew up very poor and was hungry most of the time. I ended up eating all of the paint off the interior walls of our house, and the exterior trim. When I take an X-Ray now, I have so much lead in my system, it just looks like a featureless blob and the doctors have concluded I have no bones or internal organs.
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