interview

Why suspense/horror?
Why didn't you choose literary fiction? And for that matter, what do you think about literary fiction?
The answer to that is very simple: I've been a fan of the genre for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, my favorite thing in the world to do was ransack the shelves of our local video stores pretty much every weekend. The adoration for film soon morphed into fiction. I remember one of the first young adult novels I ever read was "The Babysitter" by R.L. Stine. Loved it. I then went on to devour his books on a regular basis. From then on, I discovered new authors, who all inspired me greatly at the time. Even though I remember writing my first stories at the age of 8, I was about 13 when I started doing them on a regular basis. I'd sit at my typewriter for hours and just crank out page after page. When my friends at school started to read and enjoy them, I was inspired to create more, so that's what I did. By the time I started high school, I had about 5 novellas under my belt.
As for literary fiction, I'm definitely a fan. I try to read as much as I can, so I embrace most genres when it comes to prose. I like to read many different authors to get a feel for their style and technique. As for writing the genre, my passion lies within horror/suspense.

Why didn't you choose sci fi or fantasy? Do you even read sci fi or fantasy?
Nothing against the genre, but I was never really a fan. I tip my hat to those that write the stuff, though. It's definitely not an easy genre to create.
You mention R.L. Stine...who are your other favorites? Who inspires you? Do you read any "HOW TO WRITE..." books? Do you have any favorites of that type?
In recent years, Jack Ketchum has become one of my favorite authors in the genre. His descriptions are brilliant and vivid and he paints a clear, disturbing image with his words. In my current writing, he's become a huge inspiration and a definite influence.
I'm also a great admirer of Ira Levin's writing. His voice is very clean and crisp and his stories are told very differently. Where some authors rely on vulgarity and explicit sex to enhance a scene, Levin uses a different approach. It all relies on character development and dialogue. His indescribable technique has enhanced each of his novels. I was very saddened to hear of his passing last October.
Yes, I absolutely adore "How to" books when it comes to writing. You never can tell what little nuggets of priceless wisdom you may find in those books. My favorite has to be "The Writer's Book of Wisdom" by Stephen Taylor Goldsberry. This is a book I frequently keep by my computer monitor and peruse while I'm writing to gain inspiration. I also really enjoyed "Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing" by Les Edgerton. It's difficult to find one that I can really use over and over again, but when I do, I make it a point to study certain passages and put them to memory.

How do you write?
I usually write the first draft of what ever it is I'm working on longhand. I have many, many notebooks filled with scribble and they're piling up all around. From there, I type up the second draft and do editing/revisions as I go. I find I go much more in-depth this way, though it does take a bit more time. From there, I continue to edit and revise until the piece is as good as I can make it before I allow others to see and offer their feedback. If I get any good suggestions, I'll go back in again.
What do you do when you get writer's block?
I like to work on multiple pieces at once. If I hit a brick wall with one, I can move on to another and I go back and forth from there. I've been on the lookout for a muse, though. Something I can hold or look at that will get those creative juices flowing.
Do you write for an hour a day, five hours a day? When you write, where are you?
My writing time each day really varies. Sometimes, I'll only have the capability to pen a few sentences. Others, I'll remain focused for hours. Usually, I like to write locked away in my bedroom surrounded by nothing but silence. And then there are other days when I like to plant myself in my local Starbucks with a notebook and a Caramel Frappucino.

Tell us about the book you have out now, Crystal Bay.
Where'd you get the idea to write Crystal Bay?
CRYSTAL BAY was my first full-length novel. I wrote it when I was about 22. At the time, I really wanted to write a story about a writer struggling to pen his first manuscript, so Gage's story is definitely what came to me initially. Like him, I was in a place where I hated my job (although I was a retail sales associate, as opposed to an English teacher) and could only think of writing full time. Amanda's story came much later.
Your images of the bay are very vivid and well-written...is this a place you've been before?
The Crystal Bay in the book is quite ficticious, although I found out sometime later that such a place does exist. I believe it's a resort somewhere in Nevada.
Amanda is a real bitch. (I'd personally love to know her entire back story)...But regarding Amanda, was it hard for you to write about a woman you knew was going to be so nasty to your protagonist?
Amanda was a lot of fun to write and definitely an easy character to create. I've always been fond of strong, yet homicidal female characters, so she was a breeze. Looking back on the manuscript, I think I would've liked to have made her deadlier and more violent, though.
Gage had some weak moments in the book as well...I won't give anything away to those who haven't had the good fortune to read the book yet, but when I read it, he seemed so real that when he slipped up I was disappointed in him...was it hard for you to write about Gage's "mis-steps"?
Firstly, thank you for the compliment! That was very nice of you to say. I don't think it was particularly difficult to write Gage's mis-steps. I just tried really hard to think of how I'd feel if I'd done some of the horrible things his character had done, if I'd betrayed someone so close to me. In the end, I know I'd feel like shit, just like he did. His character has a very vocal conscience and seems to be there each and every time he slips up. That little voice was definitely a lot of fun to write.

You nailed the interaction between Beth and Gage. (I know because I'm married--16 years next week thank you very much)...was there a couple that you studied to create this interaction?
Again, thank you! Nope, I didn't study any real-life couples. Their relationship was all completely on the spot.

So, what's next for you? What are you working on now?
I'm hoping to have my second novel, SPLATTERED BEAUTY, out by the end of the year. I'd also like to have a short story anthology out some time in the very near future. Right now, I'm working on my third and fourth novels simultaneously.
Will you ever write a series?
Never say never. I'm a big fan of sequels and I do have a very rough idea for a follow-up to CRYSTAL BAY. I don't have any plans right now, but who knows?
And one last thing...any advice for newbie/unpublished writers?
The best advice I can give is to write as much as possible, build your portfolio, and never stop submitting. Take every rejection with a grain of salt and try again.