Unlike many authors, writing came to me rather late. After serving in the US Army, I studied music at the University of Tulsa where I enrolled in a creative writing course as an elective. The professor was inspiring and the course work proved interesting and fun -- and I have been writing ever since.

Total frustration with the gatekeepers in traditional publishing. Independent publishing provides authors the positive experience of seeing their works published and distributed without interference from what some describe as the hopeless myopia of literary agents and traditional publishing houses.

It is truly a grand feeling to publish a book and independent publishing has provided satisfaction to countless authors across the globe. Independent publishing was an idea whose time had come, and I, among others, am extremely appreciative of the opportunities it has given me.

Knowing that a published book, however successful, lives beyond my reach and my tenure. It's a way of touching the future like none other.

The genre comes first, a thriller or a Western or a coming-of-age story, as examples. Then comes a working title followed by writing the first few chapters. Later, when the story has found its legs and ambles along on its own, I outline the story to a fitting end and write to completion.

Then the real writing begins -- editing, revising, trimming, embellishing and polishing. I estimate that at least 70% of my time is spent on this phase.

A first draft is nothing beyond clay and water. The editing phase is everything else it takes to sculpt a wondrous (hopefully) statue.

This is a tough question. Like all writers, I have many irons in the fire -- unfinished books, stories to add to ongoing series and ideas galore.

Every book has its own unique personality. Some jump out of the opening sentence with ample momentum to end up complete. Others require more time to mature. Sadly, however, some books languish forever to die as notions gone out of favor.

I began an action/adventure story titled "Rendezvous Buzzard Point" earlier this year, writing some 27,000 words of the first draft before taking up another book and writing it to completion. So, logic says that I should take up the project again.

However, logic isn't always my way and I have three completed books that beg to enter the editing stage, one a coming-of-age story set in 1872 Colorado Territory in the town of Trinidad. "River of Lost Souls" begs for attention and might well find itself front and center next.

What dictates my decision? The same motivation that dictates every word of every sentence of every project -- creative force. When a project musters enough energy it propels itself onward. Thus I can't really project what comes next. It all depends on the energy of the moment.

Readers are everything. They speak to my spirit when I write. They dictate the style of my story. They engage my imagination. And their dedication demands that I produce my best.

For me, nothing is more boring than reading my own stuff. But knowing that a reader has given it a spin is nothing short of sublime.

Some authors say that writing is its own reward, and to a point, I must agree. However, readers are the true substantiates for me. Without them, my books are listless wanderers devoid of any real purpose.

My most heartfelt thanks go out to all of my readers. Their attentions both gratify and humble me.

Some writers say they write because they must. Some say they write because they enjoy it. Some say they write because there is so much they need to say. Some say they write to satisfy the muses flitting about in their heads.

I say I write because the idea of entertaining a reader compels me beyond all others. I love to bring a little joy, happiness and gratification to an audience. Therefore, I write to entertain readers, plain and simple.

As a professional musician, I practice guitar and drums. One day without practice on either shows me depreciated skill. Two days without practice shows depreciated skill to everybody else.

By giving me a path to publication. Nothing is more satisfying to an author than seeing a work find a life beyond his or her sphere. As such, I commend Smashwords for its foresight and diligence. And I'm certain I'm not alone in my feelings.