Please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born on the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi Texas. I moved thirteen times before the age of nine. Always being the new kid at school, sometimes more than once in the same year, I retreated into the sanctuary of books at an early age. In time my family settled when we moved to the suburbs of Chicago where my parents had grown up. My life settled down after that for the most part. I attended Ripon College in Wisconsin which is the Alma Mater of Spencer Tracy, Al Jarreau and Harrison Ford. I majored in English and history and left with the burning desire to write something great. After college I took a job driving a forklift for 12 hours a night in order to raise my son during the day while my wife worked. During this time I started The Vagabond King, taught myself Russian and learned a lot about life.
What is your book about?
When his mother dies and he discovers the man he believed was his father is not, sixteen year old Chris is haunted by a mysterious apparition that forces him to question his pampered existence and embark upon a quest to find himself. Hoping she will “make a man of him”, he seeks sanctuary in the home of Magda, a middle aged waitress with a penchant for sex, only to discover she lives with her father, a cigarette smoking, beer swilling immigrant.
How long did it take you to write?
I wrote the book, on an off, over the course of about 20 years. It was difficult because I often had to write it in the nooks and crannies of my busy day. Sometimes I thought it was like trying to piece together a book from a crossword puzzle.
What inspired you to write this novel?
I had been toying around with an idea for some sort of coming of age story throughout college. But, it wasn’t until one day in history class that it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was required to write a paper taking either the side of the “Great Man” theory of history (in which there is only one person, Napoleon, for his time in history and if that person didn’t exist history would be completely different) or the “Wave” theory (in which history would have happened the way it did regardless of whether Napoleon rose to power or not, someone else would have simply taken his place). I couldn’t write the paper because I saw both things being true at the same time. Well, if these two things could be true at the same time it meant that other things could be true at the same time. Well, one thing led to another and, like a domino effect, I came to realize that nothing could be held to be good or evil, right or wrong because both things are true at the same time. It made me question everything I had learned to be “true”. So, the questions that Chris has about life are the same questions that I had and I used the book to portray the dualistic nature of reality (young boy in love with an older woman, young boy learning from an old man etc) and, ultimately, the underlying unity of all things.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I think it was always assumed. But it was when I read The Lord of the Rings as an adolescent that I really got the bug. I wanted to be able to move people like Tolkien's use of language moved me.
What part of writing do you struggle with? Character, plot, description or dialogue?
The narratorial voice was very difficult for me to develop, it took years. Because of the subject matter I felt it needed it to be somewhat lofty and mysterious. So I developed a musical voice which sometimes resembles poetry and sometimes resembles Blues music.
What made you decide on self-publishing?
I had been searching half heartedly for about 5 years for a publisher when I discovered the world of Indie publishing. Victorine Leiske, author of Not What She Seems encouraged me and I have got to say I'm glad she did. I can't believe how vibrant and robust the Indie author scene is.
Did you have a professional editor?
No. I edited it myself for the most part over the course of 25 drafts and then I posted it on Critique Circle and revised it further with the help of the authors on that site.
Do you edit as you write or wait until your book is finished?
Editing and writing are one and the same in my opinion. I was constantly reworking and reshaping sections of the book, moving them around to see exactly where they fit the best.
Are you currently working on any projects?
I am currently working on a project I’m calling The Mythological History of Chicago. It’s a noir mystery narrated by a trickster god and combines my interests in Quantum Physics, Taoist philosophy, history and how the human mind perceives reality.
Any advice for new authors?
Keep at it! And, remember you don't have to show it to anyone until it is perfect so don't be afraid of writing poorly. It's not like playing an instrument, no one can hear you writing poorly in the other room.
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what type of music?
No. When I write I focus my entire concentration on what I am doing.
Best time of day to write?
The best time to be creative and generate images, metaphores, turns of phrase is the night time. The best time for making sense out of those things and writing them down and editing them is the day time.
Top 3 authors?
Tolkien, Isaak Dinesen & Garcia-Marquez
Top 3 novels of all time?
The Lord of the Rings, Love in the Time of Cholera, One hundred Years of Solitude
Top 3 movies of all time?
Ach! Now you've stumped me. Let's see. Lawrence of Arabia, The Big Lebowski and...I just don't know after that.
What do you read the most? Fiction or non-fiction?
Actually I read a lot of non fiction. In part because I am doing research for my books.
Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
Currently it is only in E version. As sales progress I will also publish a physical book.
Where can your readers contact you?
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