Faqs
How did you get into writing? Short answer: God used a near tragedy to force me to put pen to paper and discover what He had placed in my heart and the freedom writing brought while expressing that. For a longer answer, click here.
How long did it take you to get your first contract? I wrote and studied writing seriously for 9 years before landing my contract with Realms.
Why suspense? I write what I like to read. I have a short attention span so I enjoy stories that keep moving, pique my interest, have elements of intrigue, suspense, and danger and usually some supernatural twist.
Where do you get your ideas? Ahh, the question every writer cringes at. I get ideas from all kinds of sources including news stories, Bible accounts, and things that happen in my own life. Sometimes I'll just peruse the internet for interesting and unique stories that will stir my imagination. The idea for The Hunted came into being when I stumbled upon a story on the internet about lion sightings in a small town in Indiana back in the 1920's. I'm always looking for story lines and plot ideas in everyday life and always looking for interesting characters in the people I meet.
Are you a plotter or a seat-of-the-pantser? Seat-of-the-pants all the way. I know where I want to start and where I want to end and I just make stuff up as I go with every in-between. Not very scientific or calculating, I know, but I figure if I don't know how the story is going to unravel, the reader won't either. It's a journey of unexpected surprises for me . . . the writing itself is suspenseful!
Who has been your greatest writing influences? Kathryn Mackel, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. Also Athol Dickson, Charles Martin, and Ted Dekker.
Did you study English or journalism in school? No way! I hated that stuff in college. I went to Messiah College and Central Penn College then recently earned a graduate degree in theology from Master's International School of Divinity.
A full-time job, church involvement, family life, writing books: How do you do it all? Very carefully. Seriously. God's blessed me with time management skills and I make use of my time wisely. Of course, there's the tendency to get over involved and that's when I need to take a step back and re-evaluate what I'm doing. But careful management of time is key. Make the most of every minute.
What's your writing schedule look like? Right now, because of how my schedule at work is, I write mostly Tuesday and Thursday afternoons then sometimes on Saturday mornings. I wish I could write every day but there's that whole time manangement thing to deal with . . . and priorities.
What do you do to pay the bills? I've been a physical therapist assistant for almost 12 years.
Are you married? Yes. I've been married to my lovely and supportive wife, Jen, for 11 years.
Children? We've been blessed with three daughters ages 6, 8, and 9. All fun-loving, sweet-spirited, and of course always well-behaved (ahem).
What do you like to do when you're not working, writing (which is work!), churching, or familysizing? Read and fool around with this website. Oh, I also mow the lawn, trim the hedges, paint the porch, replace rotted boards, and all that other fun stuff homeowners do to pass the time away. Actually, I'm pretty boring (except when Toby Mac or Superchick is in the CD player).
Favorite music? I enjoy an array of contemporary Christian music. We have a really great Christian radio station here (WJTL FM 90.3. . . you can listen online) that plays a wide variety of good music. Some of my favorites, though, are Toby Mac, Superchick, Brandon Heath, Todd Agnew, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, and Third Day.
Any more questions? Email me and fire away.
