S.P.G. Thank you, Katie. I'm Stephen Grogan, and my current mystery is called "Captain Cooked".
I have been writing at a very early age; creative writing classes in high school and college. A fellowship in playwriting in college. Stints in public relations writing proposals, and ten years as an editor for an entertainment magazine. About ten years ago I started writing fiction. My first manuscript sits in a drawer, but my second, Vegas Die, was published, followed this month by my second, Captain Cooked.
K.S. Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?
S.P.G. Not that I am old, but I won $25 in a high school writing contest. My theme was a take-off of a popular rock band at the time, called the Beatles. In college I took a summer creative writing course at Harvard, and got an A- in the course and on my final paper, a short story on the death of my grandmother. Should have gone the way of Stephen King.
K.S. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?
S.P.G. In grade school, you got points for the number of books you read, and I always won. Reading became an addiction, and I even took speed reading courses. As for my first manuscript, I wrote about what I knew, at that time was casino gaming in the Rocky Mountains. This is where I developed my concept of Quest Mystery, that is, hiding a real prize and then hiding clues in the story, where they are seamless in the plot, and you have to go back and look hard.
K.S. What genre do you write?
S.P.G. Mystery slash Thriller, with a little bit of struggling romance thrown in.
K.S. What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?
S.P.G. Again, I think reading and being captured by a story. There is no shame in trying to create your style my mimic of your favorite author. As to my favorite, I like all sorts, still tied to the adventure style with a lot of historical background. I note writers who are good show they are experts in several subjects when they do plotting. That impresses me.
K.S. What does your family think of your writing?
S.P.G. So, far so good. I have creative children, and a multi-talented wife.
K.S. What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book/s?
S.P.G. That it is very difficult, rewriting essential, and you have to harden yourself to rejection. I do booksignings at the airport occasionally, which keeps me humble. Finally, ego aside,
I like what I have written. Sometimes I will re-read one of my stories and find it an enjoyment.
K.S. What inspires you?
S.P.G. Other peoples’ creativity.
K.S. Can you tell us a little about any of your novels?
S.P.G. Everything can be found at.
www.CaptainCooked.com
ALL SHE WANTED—A QUIET BEACH WHERE SHE COULD GO TOPLESS...
...NOT TO BE. Videographer Madison Merlot Dayne arrived on the Big Island to shoot the HDTV of her culinary father's popular television food show, "Insatiable Delights". From her arrival on, Madison and her father are caught up trying to discover who may have poisoned a revered Hawaiian singing star. Her working vacation involves riots, suspicious accidents, earthquakes, flowing lava, dangerous ancient Hawaiian war weapons-and a real 'cliff hanger'. Madison is likewise having men problems. She desires island romance but not prepared for three men in her life...at the same time. And there is the mystery of the boiling cauldron. Will Madison get off the island alive?
Captain Cooked is a foodie travel mystery, featuring special recipes from the top restaurants and chefs on the Big Island of Hawai'i. www.CaptainCooked.com
Captain Cooked is a Quest Mystery involving GPS; a real shark tooth war club geo-cached (hidden) somewhere on the Big Island and when discovered can be redeemed for a cash prize. The clues are in the book! www.QuestMystery.com
Read Captain Cooked as a travel adventure, a mystery of unusual murders, a cookbook, and a treasure hunt. A poi-packed mystery, fast-paced and delectable!
K.S. Where can we buy your novel?
S.P.G. Amazon. Kindle. Online through Borders and Barnes and Noble. Most independent bookstores can order it.
In order to promote my books, I have a radio show in Las Vegas. KLAV 1230 AM. But you can hear archives at www.GrogansTavern.com. I interview authors each week.
K.S. Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?
S.P.G. Captain Cooked has just been released to favorable comments. Visit: www.CaptainCooked.com You can order a signed book at discount through this site with the publisher.
See my book trailer at You Tube, search “Captain Cooked”.
K.S. Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?
S.P.G. I run into a lot of people who say they have a book in them, but haven’t started it. Start. Start writing. Set aside time. Discipline yourself to write something daily. Don’t be afraid of re-writing. Join writers groups, attend conferences, read books on how to publish, find an agent, etc. When you finish one book, start the next. Don’t let time interrupt a continuing effort. And good luck.