What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write State of Play: A Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller – Book 16?
My mortgage company. They are always a great source of inspiration. They send me these lovely little notes every single month asking for thousands of dollars. Apparently they plan on continuing this practice for the next twenty years or so, which means I still have quite a few books left to write.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of State of Play: A Virgil Jones Mystery Thriller – Book 16, what would they be?
I can’t think of any songs right now. Why, you ask? Because my wife provides daycare for our first grandchild, who just turned one year old. What that means is I’ve got songs going through my head all the live long day. Kid songs, like Wheels on the Bus, Patty Cake, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Old MacDonald Had A Farm…and on and on and on. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that my wife has a lovely singing voice, but the lyrics to these songs just won’t go away. Someone help me. Please…I’m begging ya.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genre to read is Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, which is the same I write. I’m also a fan of Literary Fiction if done good. Whoops, I meant if done well.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Referencing one of the previous questions, lately it’s books like: Goodnight Moon, Everyone Poops, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Cat In The Hat…stuff like that. I’m pretty sure I’ve single-handedly managed to give Amazon’s suggestion algorithm an electronic aneurism.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
My answer to this question rarely varies (see, I’m starting to sound like Dr. Seuss) but there are two parts of a manuscript I love: The beginning, when there is nothing more than a blank canvas and the story can go in any direction, and the ending. All my stories are very character-driven, so it’s fun to watch them lead me down the path. Even though I write pretty hard-core Crime Fiction, there is a lot of humor in my books, and that’s always fun to play with. Humor also gives the reader a chance to catch their breath.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I’m not sure if this qualifies or not, but I can’t seem to write unless I have a glass of orange juice on my desk at all times. I buy so much of the stuff I’m considering a purchase of an orange grove in Florida. No joke. My office could catch fire and you’d have trouble getting me away from my desk, but if my orange juice glass is empty, watch out. Grandpa is on the move!
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Laugh every chance you get.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
To leave a positive review on Amazon. (Just kidding…or am I?)
I think the thing I’d like readers to remember is how they feel after finishing the story, then tell me about it. Or better yet, tell others how they felt by leaving a review…you know, the one I was just kidding about. (Or was I?)
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