I grew up in Southern Illinois and I've lived in both urban and rural settings. I lived in Hannibal, Missouri for a year when I was pre-adolescent. Later when I read Mark Twain, he became my favorite American author. I loved his wit and related well to the scenes of the Mississippi. The influence on my writing has been both positive and negative. I feel I have a broader sense of human nature having lived in a wide range of communities. However, I have also discovered some dialectic factors that creeps into my writing. For instance, I was raised using the word drug instead of dragged. These words tend to drive MS Word crazy.

I am always so focused on my computer screen, that I rarely pay attention to my desktop. So, it tends to get pretty cluttered until I get fed up and going on a cleaning binge.

I have been writing poetry for decades, although very little of it is worthy of the public eye. For me it was often a therapeutic exercise. I've toyed with writing fiction for years, but I only recently decided to dive-in and give it serious effort. It has been a very entertaining and fulfilling experience. I can't see myself do anything else now.

When my beta readers come to me eager for the next chapter. Hearing their excitement, was both motivating and encouraging. It made all the difference for me.

As a historian, I have always loved ancient cultures. I read anything and everything from the Neolithic through the Bronze Age. When I decided to write a fantasy novel, this knowledge played heavily in my world creation. I wanted something unique that I could build on in the coming years beyond my planned trilogy. I imagined an Earth that evolved along a different path than the one we live on and what it could look like. I spent a couple months developing my world and cultures before I ever started developing my plot.

Being a GenX person, I tend to despise all the rigorous requirements and rigid processes like the ones in becoming an author through traditional publishing. We only live once and I don't want to spend my time trying to appease others with what makes their worlds enjoyable. I want to do what makes me enjoy life. The only reason I finally started banging away on my keyboard to write was because of the freedom of Indie publishing.

Being able to move people with your story is what it's all about. If it weren't for fans, I'm not sure there would be much of a point. For me, it is one of the greatest feelings to know that I brought some enjoyment and entertainment into someone's life.

As soon as I finish with all the publishing details, I am diving into my second book of my trilogy. I will remain secluded in my office until it is finished.

All time favorite author would have to be Mark Twain. I love a sharp wit. For fantasy, there are too many to list, but the first fantasy author I ever read (besides Tolkien) was Terry Brooks. I have always enjoyed his work. Another favorite is Tad Williams.

I prefer the simple things in life. I don't like rigid restraints so I tend to do activities where I can stroll. Walking my dog, rock hounding, or a drive up into the mountains. To me, the smell of sage and pines after a rain is the closest thing to heaven.

It may seem odd, but my favorite reading material is history related. But, if I want to read without a lot of thought and just be immersed into a wonderful world, epic fantasy always. I am not a fan of dark fantasy though. I want to feel good when I am finished. A little tragedy is true to life but make me happy when you are done.