Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. Because it’s possible to live an extraordinary life.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? I am writing a novel that takes place in LA in roughly 1965. It’s heavy on the Bogey-Bacall snappy dialogue.
What inspired you to want to become a writer? Music – I used to say poetry, but really it was the lyrics of songs like Gentle on My Mind and Crazy that got me reading poetry which led me to literature.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published. Meeting Karen Tse. She is the bravest woman I’ve ever met, and she’s five-feet tall.
What is your dream cast for your book? For the new one? Keira Knightly (Nina Ferrer), Billy Crudup (CS), Joseph Feinnes (Nina’s husband), Bianca Kajlich (Summer), George Clooney (Mark Canfield),
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters? For the current one – the theme from Rocky For the work in progress – “A Taste of Honey” Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass
What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? Write – write – write. Be hard on yourself. Set high expectations, then exceed them. Don’t be in love with everything you write. Be a professional. Learn proper grammar, syntax and word usage, so you can take liberties, but know why you’re taking them. Read as often as possible.
Who are your favorite authors of all time? Cormac McCarthy, Joan Didion, Paulo Coelho and did I mention Cormac McCarthy? I also like Pete Hamill.
Can you see yourself in any of your characters? All of them
What’s the craziest writing idea you’ve had? If you mean for a story idea, then my ideas aren’t too crazy. I write about what I feel and what see in the eyes of others.
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you? I don’t listen to advice. It’s wrapped around someone else’s agenda. That being said, I used to drink more than uh, some other people, until I read a line in Pete Hamill’s “A Drinking Life.” He said, (and I might not have this exact, but I was hungover when I read it) “Drinking takes away two important things from a writer: memory and clarity.” That struck me – and may have saved my life.
How do you react to a bad review? My old boss used to say, “You gotta take the bad with the lousy.”
If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why? “The Crossing” by Saint Cormac McCarthy. It’s my favorite of the border trilogy.
You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy? More lottery tickets
Which authors have influenced you most and how? William Zinsser has taught me to be cognizant of being concise, so has Jefferson Bates (“Writing With Precision”). Poets have taught me to love rhythm and McCarthy has taught me to take chances. I love great writing. It’s not just those that stir emotion, sometimes it’s just that a writer’s style makes the content accessible. In that regard I like the way Steven Johnson and Malcolm Gladwell write. It depends on my mood. When I want to laugh, I read Dave Barry.
What do you do in your free time? Worry that I’m wasting it.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? “You’re Not Gonna Believe This But…”
Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again. I make coffee, eat and check emails. Then I work on whatever is pressing, such as a guest blog post or a profile from some spectacular woman I’ve interviewed. Then I consider going to the gym but successfully stall it until I’ve snacked and had more coffee. Eventually I go.
When I come back I’m feeling energized and I plan (consider) future writing ideas, blog posts, etc. Then I pop in my Fluenz Spanish language program and challenge my brain for an hour. The best time to learn something new is just after exercise so you can take advantage of neurogenesis. I truly believe, in all seriousness, that you can stave off much of the degenerative effects of aging by engaging your brain and forcing it to think, to challenge yourself. A better functioning brain will serve me in my research and writing.
In the afternoon I check back in with e-mails and plan my evening’s work.
I do most of my ‘heartfelt’ writing later at night, but before I get to that state I usually run through my social media sites to stay current and help friends by passing on and re-tweeting their work. I also use that time to solicit interviews.
I am often up until 2-230 AM. Mornings are for farmers.
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Genre - Personal Development
Rating – PG
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