When did you first start writing?
At about 14. I attending Edgar A. Poe middle school in Annandale, VA (1978). The poet became my muse. His portrait hung in the auditorium/cafeteria and every school day I would gaze upon it. We had a copy of his poetry and short tales at home, as well as Grimms Fairy Tales. My favorites of Poe are of course The Raven, Annabell Lee, The Tell Tale Heart and The Black Cat. I like horror and the macabre. At a young age I also began to read Stephen King.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
1) Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice - I was touched by the feeling and emotion from the main character (Louie) who was once mortal to a life of vampiric immortality, where his survival depends on blood, which he detests, and of his lingering mortal link. His journey from a new born, to a life with the aristocrat Lestat, to his beloved Claudia and her tragedy, to alluring Armand and finally the vast void.
2) JAWS by Peter Benchley - Intense! What could instill immense fear than that of a 25 foot man eating Great White shark that roams the shores of Amity and could easily swallow a man whole. At the time, my family would venture to Ocean City, MD for the summers and all I could think about is what may lie underneath the water.
3) Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - I am in awe. Incredible creative thought, utilizing history and molding it into fictional fantasy. An epic scale of creatures, mankind, realms, battles ... all ending in the destruction of one ring that could rule all.
4) Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado - This book inspires me. I read Alive back in 1978 which fulfilled my macabre side of my teenage brain at the time. Then in 1992 saw the movie Alive and gave me a different outlook as I matured and began writing a poem of the disaster but was unable to finish it. I didn't have all the tools. In the Millennium, I researched the story again and caught a few documentaries of the story and then this year finally read Miracle in the Andes. Written from a survivor's view, 1st hand account, whom also was one of two who breached the Andes. His account was not of the exhausting horrifying detailed story as in the 1973 version, but yet one of spiritualism. He did describe similar details, but added emotion, and the fact that what was is driven force to walk out of the mountains was LOVE.
5) Count of Monbte Cristo - My favorite revenge story.
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