I was staying in a home on the beach in Costa Rica in a small town called Matapalo. The stories I heard about drug smuggling in the area gave me the idea for the book. Most of the descriptions and circumstances are actually true. It is a fictitious story ... but with a lot of truth to it in the sense that it could happen.

I had previously written a children's book that was universally acclaimed to be an excellent story. But I never was able to get a print publisher interested. My negative experience with the whole industry led me to try the indie online publishing venue instead.

I have just started with Smashwords a few weeks ago ... so there has not been enough time for the results to show up. However, I researched the digital publishing options extensively. In doing so, it became abundantly clear that Smashwords was the way to go. The process is relatively easy with them, and quick to implement. The venues in which they place your book is much more comprehensive than any other online publisher out there.

Writing makes me forget about all the day to day problems that we all face. I really get involved with the story and with my characters to the point that I am actually "living" the book. I am in another world that provides me with a sanctuary from the real world and its harsh realities.

Of course they mean everything to me. Fans validate me as an author.

I am working on a follow-up novel picking up where Matapalo leaves off.

Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck are my favorite authors.

Probably my writing.

I love to travel. I used to be a professional photographer and still take a lot of photos.

By searching the Internet and by referrals.