Yes.

The first story I really invested my time and energy into, was based on characters from some of my tabletop gaming experiences. I began writing that series between my 8th and 9th grade years in school. I kept it in a large purple spiral, which became tattered and worn over the months I scribbled into it.

The characters were caught up in illegal activities, in hopes of getting enough money to pay the people they owed. Sadly, I lost the spiral near the end of 9th grade when someone broke into my locker and dumped all the contents of it as part of a prank. It was a big loss for me and I almost didn't go back to writing because of the pain.

I start with a basic idea. An inception point where the rest of the story will circle around. After that I usually let the idea roll around for a day or so, and I make notes. The big reason I do this is to make sure an idea is worth the time I could invest in it. Not all of my ideas are worth that time, and it took me time to understand that.

Once I come to the point where I commit to writing a story, I sit down and outline it from beginning to end. I need the structure that an outline provides me, because as a writer, 've found its easy to get off the path once the feel of a piece hits me.

My wife and kids keep me busy. I also work full time from my home office, so I have a lot of hats to wear during the day.

I use Twitter religiously. The ebook format has given the power of the pen back to the self published author. Its important that author and reader alike support that power and never let go of it.

My first set of books at age five surrounded mythology, specifically Greek and European. They were small, colorful hardcover books with a variety of stories in them.

In no particular order:

Heir to the Empire (series) - Timothy Zahn crafted a masterful trilogy of books that expanded the Star Wars universe. It filled a void in my imagination as a child of the eighties. I always wondered what happened to Luke, Leia and Han after the second Death Star exploded over Endor. This series is a great example of taking a legacy of work and adding onto it without diminishing (or impugning) the previous work.

Cain - James Byron Huggins

Visceral, Edgy and a cathartic journey of a protagonist that refuses to give up. If you want a great action / thriller, this is a great choice.

Dune - Frank Herbert

A novel that expanded my mind and showed me what the possibilities were when it came to building a universe, I took to Dune fast and relished the creativity and dynamic character movements he showed. A must read

Nexus 7. I love the size, weight and feel.

I have two - sandwiched together in my office area - one is my personal desk (a ultra modern glass and chrome piece) and the other is a wooden folding table that I use for my day to day work.

I grew up and live in midwestern America.

I think its offered me a interesting cross section of America. While the 80s kept the midwest a bit behind the East and West Coast (as far as technological advancements) I think the people where I live have seen the arc of technology bend towards them, rather than catapult away. This has changed midwestern society greatly, bringing people up to speed.

At the same time, I was drawn to technology as a route out of the normal "corn field" existence and it pushed my mind to expand and imagine at all the different possibilities.

The story behind my first novel - The Origins of the Black Idol - is the story of Julius Godom a man driven by the thirst for knowledge. He becomes so driven that he travels to India on the hunt for an ancient artifact, rumored to still exist. The story tests his will, drive and determination to overcome all odds and claim the artifact. Surprises pop up around every turn, and Julius realizes that he is not alone on the quest. Rival factions vie for the artifact as well, and they are willing to kill to claim it as their own.