I started writing in the seventh grade after my longtime childhood friend moved away to Colorado. A teacher had noticed that I was lonely and decided that I needed an avenue to focus my energy.

Shots Fired in the Melting Pot is about the current state of America and a possible future for the country. The characters were chosen as examples of our stereotypes, and I wanted to shine a mirror on how fast we are to accept those stereotypes as truth. Unlike my other novels, this book is written with a PG-13 tone so that it can be enjoyed by the masses. It also uses a freeform style of writing I've never applied to any other works. I'm looking forward to more reactions from readers but the core commentary has been positive thus far.

Haha. That's a funny story. I had some medical issues and owed $500.00 to Walmart on a line of credit, which had gone to collections. Unfortunately, their collection agency emptied my bank account just before winter started, leaving me with only enough money to survive for six months. So I started writing my first novel to pass the time since I could only afford to eat, work and sleep.

Smashwords has helped me to build an audience.

The challenge of creating the story structure has always been the most fun and provided the best conundrums. I also enjoy seeing positive feedback when readers "get" what I am trying to portray. That said, negative feedback has been tremendous in helping me to tighten up my storylines and improve as a writer. In the past few years, I have become a stronger editor as well.

That's a tough question. Personal fulfillment. Prosperity. The promise of eternal life through art. I'd say that the most accurate answer would be a form of mutual connection through shared brainwaves. It's like having the ability to share a wink and a smile with thousands of people who all know the same secret.

My next novel will be much darker than anything I've written to this point. However, I plan on keeping the content PG-13 in the spirit of my last novel. I can't say much, other than the fact that I am excited about the challenge, and it won't be a sequel to anything I've published to date. There will be some deep scares and breathtaking moments, but characters will also experience moments of extraordinary triumph and personal growth. I believe that fans will enjoy this more linear style of storytelling where we see the action through the eyes of one person at a time. I'm not going with a strict first-person model but it will be less busy than Shots Fired in the Melting Pot, where you have six characters chiming in during some chapters.

Stephen Colbert. Quentin Tarantino. John Milius. Aaron Sorkin. J.J. Abrams. Joss Whedon. Jack London. John Grisham. Michael Crichton. Lois Duncan. Dean Koontz.

Lol. Usually, a cat putting its butt in my face.

I like to workout, watch movies, go hiking and enjoy good food. I have a deep love of music and am trying to expand my library.