Tell us about your book, Empty Graves. How long did it take you to compile all the stories?
I was just talking to another author last night about this. I tend to get messed up while working on novels, sometimes by self brain fartiness, sometimes by family forgetting that writing really is a job. When this happens, I will break out a short story to get the juices flowing again. Empty graves is a collection of story salvations, nightmare creations, and last minute filler stories. I weould say, all in all, it took about a year to put it all together.

Do you prefer horror over other genres? Do you read other genres besides horror? Horror is my genre, no doubt about that. I do like sci fi and mystery, but I have a hard time writing those. I love reading mysteries by Simon Wood, and many other authors. As far as sci fi, pretty much all of it is cool to me.

When did you first start to write seriously?
I've written pretty much all my life, but seriously for publication... I would say the mid 90's.

Are there any authors who influence you?
Wow, is there ever! Richard Laymon, Brian Keene, David Boyle, Frank BIttinger, all of the word weavers and the lost word groups, Brandon Ford, J.B. Kohl, so many others I know I could never list them all. I would say check my myspace friends under writers category. And while I am naming names, let me also say Bill Baetz, my mentor, former agent, and best friend. I write for him, may he rest in peace

What are you working on now?
At this time I am working on a biography, a non fiction martial arts book, I have work coming out this year in several anthologies, three novels, two are in second draft, one is in first draft stage, and the third book in my reaper trilogy of short horror fiction.

So, you're a busy guy...a REALLY busy guy. Tell us about your martial arts book. Are you collaborating with anyone on it?
What I did was interview hundreds of martial artists. I wanted to share with the world how the martial arts could change their lives.

What are titles of the anthologies coming out?
Potter's Field, Darkness Rising, Sinister Horizons, Dark lakes

What do you hope to accomplish as a writer?
For my readers, I want to write the story that will make them sleep with the lights on. I mean, lets face it: We all love to be scared. If not, roller coasters would be cruel and unusual punishment. For me, I would like to make enough to get my wife out of debt, and create a career for me so I can be home with my family.

What motivates you to write? How do you get ideas? What inspires you?
Life motivates me. I can never go more than a few days without having to write something. My ideas come from so many places. Basically, I play the what if game. What if that door opens, and a mist appears? or eyes? or a psycho brownie scout clutching a bloody cleaver in one hand, and a half eaten chocolate chip cookie in the other? Scary stuff. My inspiration comes from growing up watching classic horror movies. Back when spooky was fun and not a gorefest.

Any advice for new/aspiring writers? You know the difference between a successful author and a wantabe that never was? The author never gave up. Never EVER give up on yourself. No matter how many rejections you get.