Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up outside of a sleepy little town in the piedmont region of North Carolina. Growing up in such a rural area, there was never much to do except get out into the woods behind the house and discover new worlds. I can remember going out hiking with my dad on several occasions and coming across a new kind of animal every time. I enjoyed every minute of those hikes, and when I write a story, I try to imagine myself on one of those journeys. There is always something new to discover hidden somewhere deep within one's own imagination.
When did you first start writing?
In 2009 on a trip to Key West with my wife, I took along a notebook and pencil. I had no idea where to start a story, where to end a story, or what even constituted a good story. I probably still don't ; ) All I knew is that I wanted to put a story together. During that vacation, I handwrote 25 pages, visited all the sites on the island, and drank rum to celebrate. Jack Sparrow would be proud.
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