Exclusive Author Interviews – Get to Know the Minds Behind the Stories

Trial and error. Writing to me is as natural as breathing. However, years ago an editor told me I had natural talent but I needed professional training. So I embarked on a 3 year correspondence course through the, then, Writers' Institute of America. Even then, several years passed before I managed to get an article published. Then more articles. And then, my autobiography, Dino, Godzilla and the Pigs was published by SoHo Press.  I stuck with nonfiction for a while but my heart has always been in fiction. I was doing online writing with Guru.com when Pigeon in a Snare, #1 of the Birds in Peril Series was accepted by AKW Books. Pigeon was actually the fourth fiction story I had written....

It was always a passion, but I didn't have the time until retirement

Once I finished writing it, I realized that perhaps the book could help others, beyond just Jake's little brother, Liam.  Inspired by the notion of helping others confront their own loss, struggle or hardship, I sent emails to an array of publishers and literary agents. Much to my surprise, I received interest from a handful among the many rejection replies. I choose to move forward with Koehler Books based upon the fact that I received a personal and heartfelt reply from the president, John Koehler, and soon thereafter, connected in person, realizing then that they not only understood but wanted to help me share my story.

Writing for me is like performing magic. I close my eyes and from the darkness within I start seeing the building blocks of the story I wish to tell. I call it the “black canvas of my imagination”. I feel this ability, which lies in each and every one of us, is a true gift, as it allows a total freedom that is second to none. From the ocean of genres in writing, I feel strongly connected to contemporary novels, as there is so much beauty in our world, so many stories waiting to be written, that my mind is sometimes overwhelmed with ideas. That also connects to my vision to bring people together through love stories. Captivating stories that show how love is both timeless and borderless, ...

Keep it in a parking lot. Write it down and tell yourself to come back to it later. Sometimes, you'll remove a piece of the book you are writing, but you are very passionate about that piece and sad about that cut. That may lead to a different new book. So, keep saving your thoughts and ideas.

I work full time in a warehouse, moving pallets opening boxes which keeps me pretty busy. But I do love going to the cinema, walking and gardening. 

Well, after retiring, I decided to dedicate to my true passion which is writing. I always loved murder mystery, but it was a hard step to take to begin with! So I decided to start writing my journey of my moving from the UK to Spain. After my first book "A Tale of Two Villages", and with my friend's advise of this classic book to start, I got inspired in the whole Morgan / Morales murder mystery series.

I’ve wanted to be writer for many years, and just put it off for my career, and one day decided that I was going to pursue that dream, and I am self-published.