Name something you dislike doing so much that you'll pay someone else to do it. Changing the oil in my car. I grew up with a handy father who taught me the basics of auto maintenance, including changing the oil. It's a nice skill to have, but it's...

Have you ever written a character with an actor in mind? I have never started a project with an actor in mind, but characters will often reveal themselves as actors. One that sticks out for me is Max from Max and the Multiverse. From an early...

What was the inspiration for your latest story? For Nimi: When First Contact Becomes Last Call, I took inspiration from several sci-fi classics like The War of the Worlds and The Day the Earth Stood Still. I am always looking for tropes to satirize...

Did you ever think you would be unable to finish your first novel? Oh yes, which I imagine is a commonality with most debut authors. What is truly unique about the first novel is the lack of pressure. You have all the time in the world to finish it...

If you could invite three people to a dinner party, who would they be and why? Hmm, I'm thinking George Carlin, Christopher Hitchens, and Kevin Smith. I'm a huge fan of all three, and for very different reasons. Carlin was a comedic genius with a...

What has your experience been like as an indie author? It's been a roller coaster, that's for sure. The first year after publishing my debut novel was total insanity. I had no idea what I was doing and relied heavily on the experiences of other...

Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then and there? Sometimes. I have a running list of notes and ideas that I keep on my phone. But on the other hand, I also think that if an idea is worth remembering, then you will. If I...

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? I am about to publish my sixth novel (The Mortal Vestige, Book Three of the Immortal Wake), which completes my second trilogy. I have also published three Max and the Multiverse shorts, which...

Do you work with an outline, or just write? Ah, the plotter vs. pantser distinction. I employ a little bit of both, depending on the material. For the Immortal Wake series, I need glossaries and outlines just to keep the details straight. A great...

Do you have a daily writing habit? Kind of, maybe, but not really. While I do write on most days, I have never subscribed to the "X words a day" habit. I may go for days without writing anything. Other times I may push into the wee hours of the...

Where was a place you've visited on vacation that you'd go back to tomorrow? Sitka, Alaska. My wife and I lived in Seattle for several years and Alaska was a common vacation spot due to its proximity. We visited several towns, but Sitka remains our...

How often do you go on book tours? I have never done an official book tour, but I remain active on the convention circuit. You can find me at comic cons and literary events around the US and Canada. As of this posting, I am also scheduled to give a...