What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
It really depends on what they are reading. I have seen many people cry during my plays. And people have told me that they have been asked to be quiet from laughing too loud when reading Midnight Riders. I like both reactions. Hopefully when people read them, they feel something. What does not concern me; I would just like to get a reaction.
What’s your favorite meal?
The vegan chicken salad from Whole Foods with Cotswolds cheese on some awesome bread with a side of potato chips. I’m not a very healthy guy.
If you could do any job in the world what would you do?
Professional travel guy. Not a real job but I would like to just go everywhere, look at places, nod my head, and say awesome a lot.
When you get free time on the internet or you go to the library – what do you want to read about.
Just about anything. I enjoy discovering things I did not know. Lately I’ve been into marine biology and deep ocean exploration. Which is something I never looked into before.
Do you find the time to read?
Sometimes. I read a lot but I teach English Lit and I re-read the books just about every year. So a large amount of my reading time is put towards that. I still get a few books in here and there. I edit my friends as well if that counts. I would like to read more.
What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?
I love quotes. I have many favorites but I can only narrow it down to a top three.
“Each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.” Poe. Just pure beauty of establishing the mood and perfect word choice.
“I fall upon the thorns of life; I bleed.” Percy Bysshe Shelley. I love tragic quotes and this is one of my favorites. It is a great mix of experience and agony.
“And Yet to me what is this quintessence of dust-“ Big Willy Shakes. Really that whole monologue – “I have of late but wherefore I know not lost all my mirth…” in Hamlet - is about the best paragraph in existence. I love it all. I know I’m not exactly uncovering a hidden gem here, but it’s amazing.
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
This answer is sort of a cheap move but I am comfortable writing in all kinds of genres. Horror, western sci-fi, comedy, realistic drama. But if I had to choose, I guess comedy comes easiest for me.
Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
Not really. What is writer’s block really? I guess it means when you just don’t have a good idea or you are stuck in your story at a certain point. I think labeling it just makes it worse. If I feel hung up, I either work on something else or I just start writing. No matter how lousy it is, I just crank it out and eventually I end up getting to something usable. Then I go and scrap the rest. Sometimes the random garbage actually stimulates ideas for something else.
Who is your publisher?
J Ellington Ashton Press
How much of the book is realistic?
Most of Midnight Riders is based on real historic people and events. However I have added quite a bit of chaos to the mix. But for the most part I did stick to a lot of facts. Historians will easily notice where I took some liberties.
How important do you think villains are in a story?
Villains are crucial. A hero is only as heroic as his nemesis is dangerous. A great villain makes for great conflict, which is key in many genres. Some of my favorite characters are villains.
When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have?
Man, I’m sick of tripping over all of these jewel filled treasure chests. Although to be honest, I don’t really care about money. If people thought of me as a writer who was versatile and didn’t sell out but wrote well, I would be happy.
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Genre - Alternate History
Rating – PG13
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