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What inspired you to start writing?
Reading and loving to read inspired me to become a writer. Since the fourth grade, I planned to become a writer. I knew that it would not earn me a living, but I never stopped anticipating the time when I could write something worthwhile. It seemed out of reach until I went to the university, and a teacher told me that I knew how to write. Once I had a stable work situation, I began to do research to write my book "Jesus Christ Divided." It took me twenty years of research and two weeks of writing. It just flowed out of me.
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Can you tell me about your latest book?
I produced several books in the last year. "Tucson 9-1-1" was actually written fresh after the events in 2011, but I was not satisfied with it. I had an excellent first draft, but I could not edit it. My friend from our writer's union suggested that I was still too emotionally invested. That was good advice, and I set it aside for thirteen years.
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How do you create your characters?
I do nonfiction, so I try not to create but to reconstruct, the source materials hint at the person. I want to try a novel. I have written a couple short stories that will eventually fill a book. I imagined types of people I had met, and the types created the character.
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What does your typical writing day look like?
No such thing. I am a binge writer. I wait until I have a lot to write, and then I go all day. It can take me weeks or years before I touch the keyboard.
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What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author?
Because I am responsible for the final product, all the compromises are my own. I have the freedom to think without regard to someone else. No restrictions. For an undisciplined person, that could be a bad thing, but I put the reader first when I write.
My books would not have been written, if I had to satisfy the usual process. I think that makes them more valuable, because the reader gets to read something truly different and original. My books are challenging, not cupcakes.
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What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Daily life interferes with the needs of the craft. The more hectic, stressful, and demanding my daily life becomes, the less attention I can give to writing.
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Do you have any favorite writing tools or apps?
WordPerfect word processing software allows me to go from idea to published pdf book block easily.
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What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors?
Don't listen to other people, because your work is your voice. No one else can speak for you as well as your own writing. You are communicating to a reader. Do it with empathy.
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How do you handle book promotion as an indie author?
Not very well. (laughter) I am looking for an agent who will help me to promote.
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What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book?
I have ideas for two more books on Jesus Christ. I have not finished with spirituality yet, and maybe I never will. I am not ready to keyboard yet, however. I have not decided how to research for them. I have become a bit of an expert on the subject, so the subject is easier for me to write about. I write books that I would want to read.
