Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in two different places. My first seven years was in Erie, Pennsylvania. When my mom and dad retired to Florida in 1976, I was their youngest child, so I naturally went with them. I finished my childhood in Lake Tropicana, near Dunnellon, Florida. Going from a city kid to a country guy gave me some unique contrasts between the different lifestyles. A good part of that has crossed over into my fiction in various ways.
When did you first start writing?
My first year of middle school, in the early 1980's. Even in 6th grade, I was itching to pen stories. I told many an adventure to those who would listen, because I enjoyed their reaction, their desire to know what's going to happen next. My mother couldn't get over how much notebook paper I was going through in the 6th grade, until she found out that it wasn't for school work. She didn't get mad, but was impressed with my diligence.
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