The Author's Interview
My life as a storyteller began when I visited Ireland many years ago. In every pub, you can always find Music and Storytelling. Recognizing my lack of musical ability, I became enthralled with the lilting Irish Brogue and the depth and breadth of their stories.
What describes your writing style and how you craft your books.
For any writer, the process is different. In my case, I craft a story by first writing large amounts of prose on paper after I decide on the basic storyline. I then spend a lot of time researching and verifying the concept.
Eventually, I will storyboard every twist and turn and make sure the plot holds water.
For me, because of the genre, "Mystery Thriller", the next step is crucial. You must give the reader a reason to keep reading until the crime is solved.
Lastly, I spend most of the creation of the book, cutting, chopping, and fine-tuning until I am happy with the final product
Why are you novels set in New England and why was the first set in NH?
I have spent over forty years traveling and working throughout New England. This section of the country is rich in historical traditions. In addition, the colorful people and unique character of each state inspire many stories.
Most of my life, I lived in Amherst, NH, a small town in the state's southwest area. I used the names of many local roads, landmarks, and bodies of water throughout my first novel.
The towns of Amherst, Milford, Wilton, Hollis, Brookline, and Peterborough provide background. Some of you may recognize Milford as the main backdrop.
The town hall was the model for the Bolton Town Hall in Children of Granite, and there are quarries in Milford where kids still swim.
In what state will your third novel take place?
I spent a few years in Maine. I expect that Ted McQuick will vacation in the state and run into a case. The subject of the case is still to be set in stone, but I expect it will include references to lobstering, the state's size, the poverty there, and the large number of French-speaking people who live there.
Where can I buy Children of Granite?
You can buy Children of Granite at
Amazon.com, or
Any local independent bookstore
It is available as either a paperback or Kindle version
Are any characters based upon people you know?
Not really, but I observed certain traits in other people that naturally carry over into the characters as they develop.
No specific person is recognizable as any of my friends or family. I did, however, create many of the characters in the book using the first names of many of my relatives
When will Karaoke Lion be available? How did you choose such a unique name.
Karaoke Lion will be in print by spring 2027. As for the name, it is an integral part of the mystery. Read the book, and all will be explained.