Why I Started Writing:

I started writing at a very early age. Although this was a natural progression that sprang forth from my love of the written word, there were a variety of factors contributing to my desire to write. Being raised in a very strict, religious environment left me with very tight parameters as to what was and what wasn’t acceptable in my reading material. This also meant that my predilection for darker topics in both reading and writing was frowned upon severely (by frowned upon I mean thrown away by my well-intentioned parents). This attempt at deterring my writing only created a greater need for an outlet in which I could have a voice. I continued to find that outlet in the written word. Often, my writing was utilized as a coping mechanism where I could get feelings out on paper that would be soundly rejected were they to be spoken aloud. So, writing as escapism and therapy were two of the strongest factors in propelling my writing forward. As I undertook the writing of Nick Banner and the Pharaoh’s Greed many years later, some of these ideas of disillusionment found life through the actions and thoughts of Nick Banner. Through the miraculous healing that God has provided me, however, my reasons for writing have undergone a considerable shift. Now my purpose for writing is to help better those kids who may be experiencing a “less than perfect” childhood. I write because I know those kids are out there. My hopes and prayers are I can be an encouragement to them and provide a clear spiritual picture about the hope that lies in Jesus.

Authors Who Have Influenced Me:

I have a pretty broad range of interests when it comes to reading. During my childhood, I was a voracious consumer of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Edgar Alan Poe was then and is now one of my favorite writers. I also read Terry Brooks, JR Tolkien, and Piers Anthony. I greatly enjoy reading Russian literature. The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov is one of my favorite books, and I also enjoy the poetry of Lermontov. All of these and many others have helped spark philosophical as well as writing ideas for me. Reading is learning about cultures, religions, relationships, and society as a whole. In light of that, I keep my bookshelf as diverse as possible.

Books I Have Written:

Well, this will be somewhat short. Nick Banner and the Pharaoh’s Greed is my first book. Although I have a whole world of poems written and several shorter stories, this is my first novel-length work to be published within the next few months.

What I'm Working On Now:

Having just submitted Nick Banner and the Pharaoh’s Greed to Elk Lake for publishing, I am pleased to refocus on my second book in the series.