K.S. Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.
My background is, in my opinion interesting as far what type of person one might consider to be the writing type. I would never, in my life had I thought that I would end up writing. I was the kid in the back of class avoiding the gaze of the teacher. I’d shriek when I would come across an essay question in place of the more mild mannered multiple choice option. It took me ten years to get through junior college! When I speak of how I got into writing I like to tell folks I fell into it, literally. I fell of off a train and broke my knee. I needed surgery. I was a professional firefighter at the time. A broken knee and that gig just do not mix. I was to be off of work for quite some time. During a visit to the firehouse the guys asked me what I was going to do with all of my time away, as if physical therapy wasn’t enough. I had always been an avid reader, for some reason “I think I’ll write a book” popped out. They didn’t think I could do it. Well, to me that was a challenge and one I obviously accepted. I headed home that day, fired up the computer and started typing. That was a little over ten years ago. As of this week I started writing my seventh novel. Since then I’ve been rather active where literature is concerned. I’m on the board of directors for the Chicago Writer’s Association. I head up their Windy City Book Review Program. I’m a panelist for the Clive Cussler Adventure Writers Competition. I’m a mentor for a teen writer, who by the way will have her first book published shortly. I was also instrumental in getting my hometown’s annual book festival going. Aside from all of that, I am no longer a firefighter, another injury closed that chapter of my life. I’m now a husband, a father of two, I umpire high school and college baseball and finally, I’m the Den Leader for my little guy’s Cub Scout Pack. That’s about it….
K.S. Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?
Not really, I’m sorry, kind of dull answer. I just sit down and type. What whatever pops out I either hit delete or keep rolling along. I guess this is kind of quirk. I don’t like writing home for some reason. I do, of course. I make a point to head out to my favorite local pub where I claim a spot at the bar. It’s fun, as with most saloon, bars and restaurants you’ll see a bunch of regulars hanging out. I usually stick to myself but I do like jumping into the banter when something catches my ear.
K.S. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?
Oh boy, I’m sorry, I answered that in the first question! Oops!
K.S. What genre do you write?
I write in two genres. I started off writing adventure novels for adults. I still do but now I’ve added paranormal stuff for middle school kids to my resume. I tried my hand at that just to see if I could write something different. I’m glad I did, it’s fun stuff to work on.
K.S. What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?
I think it’s pretty neat to know there are folks out there who I have never met reading my stuff. At least I hope there is some out there reading my stories. The best part is fan mail, its nice to know what those people I’ve never met feel about the stories.
K.S. What does your family think of your writing?
Supportive, naturally, my wife isn’t big reader. I’ve written seven books, she’s read one. I still love her though.
K.S. What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book/s?
Tough question, I’ve learned so much. In relation to the writing business in general, I’ve found editing and cleaning can take as long as or even longer than just writing the darn book. Another observation I’ve made since I started writing ten or twelve years ago, authors are often treated poorly by their industry peers, such as agents, publishers, sellers and reviewers. I sometimes wonder if all of these folks realize they that they wouldn’t have their jobs with out us?
K.S. What inspires you?
Another tough question simply because there is so much to mention. I’m inspired by other writers, my own hobbies and interests, my family and my friends. Part of what keeps me writing though, I just think it’s cool to know that there people out there who I’ve never met reading my stuff. The fan mail is cool too. I think have two or three of those now, fans that is.
K.S. Can you tell us a little about any of your novels?
Here you go, for the current book anyway….
1776: An English payroll ship loses sight of its convoy and wrecks on the shoals of a small, remote Caribbean island during a terrible storm, marooning its crew and a small group of soldiers. After rescuing the gold and burying it on the island, they are overrun by a tribe of cannibals, leaving the treasure hidden...
Today: Jimmy Quigley, a small town cop, inherits a boat and a treasure map from his Uncle Jackson, a renowned world explorer. He hooks up with Evelyn Quinn, who also received a small inheritance from his uncle. He heads to the Caribbean with Evelyn and her friend, Kristin, and his friend, Rick, for some fun in the sun and a possible treasure hunt. When the boat is ransacked by thieves not once, but twice, Jimmy wonders if his uncle's warning to watch his back has more to it than he first thought. With his friends' safety and the fate of the Lorraine gold in mind, Jimmy heads off into the biggest adventure of his life...
K.S. Where can we buy your novel?
Mostly on line at Amazon or anywhere books are sold on the web. If you’re in the Chicago area, swing on by your favorite bookstore, hopefully my stuff will be there. If it’s not, scream at the desk clerk.
K.S. Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?
I am at www.jimmygwrites.com. I’m told I should be blogging. I’ll get to that eventually. I am on Facebook as well, everyone hit me up, one can never have too many friends.
K.S. Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?
Just keep writing, you’ll get there, seems every established writer I know has passed that along.