For me, writing has pretty much been innate. I couldn't tell you of the first time I began to write, as I've been writing ever since I can remember. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. When I was younger, I would write very short, one-page stories, or the one-off poem here and there. People would always say 'you have a way with words', but I never quite understood what they meant.
The very first time I began writing seriously was during high school. This is when my first novel was 'born', as much of it was derived from bits and pieces of that work.

My latest (and also first) book was created following a lot of thought and interrupted sleep. It is a recreation of an idea I first had when I was in high school. I've always been a big fan of high fantasy, action-packed children's and young adult books, and thought I would try my hand at it. My thought process was that I could write the book the way I wanted to read it. And that, I did.

As peculiar as it sounds, I quite enjoy the sleepless nights. Many of my greatest ideas come while I am trying to sleep. Each time a new thought invades my mind, I talk myself through it. The whole notion of creating a world of my own makes writing worthwhile. The worlds I create are my own, and that's something that nobody can take away from me.

I'm currently working on book #2 of 'The Chronicles of Ageron'. I am hopeful that it will be released in early 2014.

I appreciate all works from authors of high fantasy, action-packed books for children and young adults. My personal favourites are J. K. Rowling, Pittacus Lore, J. R. R. Tolkien and Rick Riordan, to name a few.

I will often take bits and pieces from people I know to create my protagonists. Ajay, the protagonist of my first novel, was created from features of many people I know. Their mannerisms are also derived from people close to me, and sometimes I will incorporate features and mannerisms of people I have observed in public. Being a teacher, there is never a shortage of people to pick bits and pieces from.

Much of my time is consumed by work. This is the primary reason I haven't yet completed the second novel of my series. When I manage to find it, I spend my time relaxing, cycling, reading... 'the usual'.

I rely a great deal on book covers. I don't frequent book review websites all too often. Much of what I read is from authors I know, but I do enjoy navigating eBook websites to discover new and exciting tales that await me.

Story? No. Book? Yes. I've been writing stories ever since I can remember. I always enjoyed writing stories for school. It would always be something that I would look forward to. My first 'book' came during high school. I didn't actually finish it, but used a lot of it to create what became my very first 'published' novel.

1. Coffee.
2. Brainstorming concepts.
3. Coffee.
4. Transfer concepts to writing/illustrate to support concepts.
5. Coffee.
6. Plot out chapters.
7. Coffee.
8. Write chapter summaries.
9. Coffee.
10. Draft.
11. Coffee.
12. Edit.
13. Coffee.
14. Edit.
15. Coffee.
16. Publish.
17. Coffee.