The unfinished masterpiece...
So shortly after Christmas when I was 11, my parents bought us a computer. Keep in mind this was 1991, so a family owning a computer was a big deal. After going through every tutorial for Microsoft Works, I needed an outlet for all this knowledge of how to use these programs (not to mention we had zero games for this machine). I sat down and started putting random words on the page.
It was crap. I can't believe I even kept writing it, but I had my fun with it. It led to me having more patience to sit and write, and to come up with ideas that, while maybe not the greatest, were at least something original.

Whatever the basic idea of the story/book is, I try to come up with something to go along with it. Sounds simple, but there are some books that look like they have the most random clip art for their cover.

Science fiction and fantasy.

Wooden and too low.

I grew up in a small suburb of Toledo, OH, called Waterville. It's a little bit bigger now, with more people there (it became an actual city a few years back, not just a village).
A prevalent theme in a lot of my writing is exploration, or escape. I hate to sound cliche, but I always wanted out of that small town when I was younger, especially my teen years! I think going into Toledo on my own or with friends during my junior and senior years of high school opened my eyes to what was truly out there, and going to Detroit shortly after that made it even better. I mean sure, I'd always gone into the city my whole life (my mother was a very avid shopper), but being able to go where I wanted and do the things I wanted to do was a big deal.
Writing about space explorers or pirates rings rather true in theme with me.

Like I said earlier, when I was 11.
My passion for writing seriously didn't start until I was 16. In my English class, we had to write a poem, which I had done many times over throughout the years. For some reason, this time was different, and I actually enjoyed it. I kept writing poems and eventually stories, and never stopped.

Being able to tell the stories that I find interesting, and managing to entertain at least a few people by doing it.

They're supportive and sexy. I love how they enjoy reading my stuff, but also how they spread the word, too. Many, many fans are writers themselves, or artists, musicians, or some sort of creative type, and I get such a kick out of seeing their works, and being able to enjoy it and spread the word myself. To use that cliche line, thanks to the fans, because without you, I wouldn't be here!

Finishing several short stories, editing more than I should, and attempting to finish the last 20 chapters of a sword and sorcery novel.

The fact that if I don't go to work, I lose my job and get no money. That, and an undeniable love for life. I know it sounds cheesy as hell, but it's true.