<<LEFT        Navigate the Circle        RIGHT>> Where do you get Hellhounds? Don't ever, ever make the mistake of thinking that you 'get' Hellhounds.  No…they 'get' you. How did you get into writing?  Or Why do you write? It's in the blooood and woven into the spirit.  Seriously, I don't recall a time when I wasn't into writing or a heavily addicted reader.  Whether I was born this way or warped as a baby is debatable  :) What advice would you give to someone considering writing novels? Run away! Oh, you wanted a serious answer.  Well, I still say run away.  If you insist upon setting that course I'd insist that you think on it, ponder, meditate or whatever first.  Make certain you have the love of the craft to learn, the determination to start it and (more importantly) end it, the will power to work against the odds and guts (your own or someone else's) to take criticism and rejection. Yes, I'm being evil and challenging you on purpose.  Writing novels, especially as a career, is a lot different than writing for the pure joy of it.  It's a lot of hard work, it takes tons of time, it takes a lot of learning and a lot of grit.  Is it worth it?  Hell yeah.  To those who truly love their craft. How do you come up with your characters? Hmmm.  I'd like to know that too so when you figure it out let me know! How do you come up with your plots? *points up*  Same answer.  I truly don't know.  Dreams, life, anything and everything.  They germinate, ferment and bubble up and finally I have to write them or there's major spillage involved and that's just messy. How long does it take for you to write a novel? It's different for each book - no two are the same.  It also depends on the genre.  Fantasy takes a lot longer to write than suspense etc.  On average  6 - 9 months for suspense and 6 - 12 months for fantasy. Your novels have strong law enforcement elements - why? I have great admiration for our law enforcement officers - from the small town officer to the FBI, from the sheriff's dept to the state police, from the US Marshals to the DNR.  They are fabulous, dedicated and brave men and women.  As such, I truly enjoy writing about them. I have to add here that I have deep admiration for our men and women in the Military - no matter what branch, no matter what position.  I have yet to be blessed with a plot that involves these wonderful people.  I hope one day to get one for them. What do you do when you're not writing? There's a time when I'm not writing?  I was not aware of that… Ok ok fine.  There are some times when I'm not working.  I spend time with the family, watch movies, read books, RP, archery, pester people, do volunteer work, signings, events and lots of other stuff. [Back to MAIN PAGE]