I was honored to be interviewed by a local publishing press, Phoenix Oasis Press. This small, but growing press has been doing great work by producing an online blog focused on helping new authors, organizing workshops and writer retreats, and even orchestrating several award-winning anthologies.

In 2025, they are again set to gather independent writer’s short stories into a new anthology. I have attached the link to the details here. Without a doubt, it is a great venture for any new, aspiring writers!

Here is a sample of the interview (for the full interview, click on the link at the bottom).

I love getting lost in books. The great escape into space, the past, the future – anywhere the story takes you. I knew early on I wanted to entertain others in the same way. And I had a wealth of content. You see, stories and characters spring to my mind and demand to be heard and written. Like spoiled children, they rampage and stomp out any other thoughts until I write down what they have to say. If I don’t give in to their demands, I’ll go crazy. 

I wouldn’t have it any other way. Writing has always been a part of who I am. Bringing stories to life is a beautiful stress reliever, therapy session, and personal adventure. Sometimes the characters go on unexpected benders or take unknown paths. It’s intriguing, fulfilling, and frustrating all at the same time. 

Born and raised in Indiana, I was your typical introverted kid. I spent a lot of time reading the horror of Stephen King and Dean Koontz, and R.A. Salvatore’s fantasy epics.

When I was 26, I needed a big change. I took a leap and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1996. I didn’t know anyone in the southwest. Nor did I have a job or a place to stay, but something was calling me. 

In 2011 I got serious about writing and started working on my debut novel, an epic fantasy. When I started, I wrote by the seat of my pants. I let the world unfold on screen as I typed. My story meandered along, trying to find its way from point to point. I realized I needed a road map so I sat down and crafted a super-detailed, 60-page bullet outline. Turns out I’m more a plotter style writer than a pantser. 

Editor’s tip: There’s no right way to write a novel other than the way that works for you. The pantster-plotter spectr um also includes plantsers. Check out this NaNoWriMo quiz to get an idea of your style.

I spent five years developing, editing, and endlessly rewriting that first novel. Then I read an article where Stephen King advised that at a certain point, you have to let your children go. You have to let them loose in the world and hope for the best. I took that advice to heart. If I kept rewriting, my work would never see the light of day. 

When I started, I hadn’t thought about what exactly I’d do with it once it was done. I always knew I wanted to publish it, to share it, but I hadn’t considered whether to go with traditional or independent publishing. 

As I worked on editing, cover design, and my book blurb, I jumped into researching about all-things-publishing. Two years later, I independently published my epic fantasy Consequences Within Chaos. I went independent because I felt I had better control of the end product, along with more responsibility. I’d invested a total of five years of blood, sweat, and tears into realizing this dream. 

I wrote The Bleeding Crown, the sequel to Consequences, in one year. I hope that helps anyone reading this realize the value of the work you are doing right now, every day. Everything you learn, everything you do, helps you develop repeatable processes for your writing that make it easier. Trust me. 

Since then, I’ve produced eight horror novels, six epic fantasy novels, a short story collection, and have been published in literary magazines. My newest short story collection just came out, and I have an epic fantasy novel launching soon. You can find everything about my work on my website where I also blog about writing topics. You can also find my works on Amazon under my author page.

For the rest of my interview…

Enjoy!! And thank you to everyone who has shown interest and have supported my writing career since 2016! It’s been incredible and it isn’t over yet!!