I've wanted to write a book as far back as I can remember. I tried many times when I was in college but never finished. I had the first three chapters of at least ten books but got too busy or just lost interest. After graduating law school and while waiting for the bar exam results, I finally had the time to sit down and write. The most difficult part about writing a book is finishing so I was determined to, good or bad, finish. What I wrote actually turned out pretty good so I published it. Now I can't stop writing.

I always have at least three stories in the works. Writing a book is a very tedious process so I tend to go back and forth when I need a break. My first priority is Peter Pomperfield and the Siege of Fair Oak Elementary. This is the second book of the series and will focus on Peter's growth as a leader and how he overcomes a number of personal obstacles. As always, there's a lot of humorous situations and adventures with mythical creatures. It's going to be a lot of fun.

I also have a more mature series that I've been working for quite some time called The Mighty Fourteen. I say mature because it deals with more complex issues. I never cross the line with my writing. If I wouldn't want my children to read it, I won't write it. This series is heavily influenced by my love of fantasy, my legal background and my interest in politics. It's kind of like a cross between Lord of the Rings, the American Revolution and the A-Team.

For me, it's all about creating characters and telling stories. My background is not in writing, it's in the law. I've never been a good technical writer but being an attorney helps me understand human nature. I think that's what makes a good writer. I like to put fascinating characters in unique situations and see what comes out. Most of the time I don't know the end of the story. That's what makes writing fun. I get to be the first one to discover a new book.

My favorite book is Watership Down. I was never assigned to read it high school so I read it on my own after law school. I was amazed at how Richard Adams could take simple characters in a rather simple situation and make it mean so much more. I tried to emulate that in my novella, Journey of a Couch Gnome. There is just something so refreshing about simple stories that make you think.

I also love The Lord of the Rings/Hobbit series, the Sword of Truth series and Harry Potter. I was really into the Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones) until the last book, which really fell short with me.

Where I grew up is not as influential as how I grew up. I was raised in Southern California in a family of eight kids. Most of my writing takes place in other places but my family can be seen in almost all my writing. I think family is very important so I use it as a common theme in my stories. It also helps with character development because, as I'm writing, I can just think of all the different personalities I grew up with.

This was really influential while writing Journey of a Couch Gnome. The three gnome brothers are a reflection of my two brothers and me. If we went on an adventure, it would turn out the same way.

Self publishing is not an easy game and was a little discouraging at first because someone out is taking a chance by reading a new author. What makes it worth it is when you get a review and discover that someone, besides your wife and mother, likes your writing. That means everything.