When did you realize that you wanted to become a writer? What was the very first thing you ever wrote?
Wow, you don’t throw softballs, do you? Hmm, okay, I believe I was six or seven when I wrote a page-long story on my mother’s typewriter (this was back when there was such a thing) about a brontosaurus (this was back when there was such a thing) coming to grips with his long throat. As I recall it won second prize in some kind of youth writing contest. I believe the first proper novel I wrote was an early version of THE HYENA when I was about twelve. I’ve certainly wanted to be a writer since at least then.
Who is your literary hero?
Dostoevsky. Dude could do no wrong.
How much of your characters are based on your traits or someone you know personally?
In this book? None. I mean, I drink Old Crow and smoke Lucky Strikes like the main character, but I think of that as more of an easter egg.
Describe your main character in six words.
Dangerous dilapidated dapper dead drunk detective.
Describe the world you’ve created in six words.
Booze, ‘bangers, brains, babes, and brawling.
What scene was your favorite to write?
That’s a tough one. Um…well, I’ll tell you which one seems to be the fan favorite so far. There’s a scene set in a zombie brothel where you can mix and match dismembered limbs and torsos to create a sort of Build-A-Whore. People really seem to enjoy that part (ha!)
What scene was the hardest for you to write?
I’m also not really sure how to answer this one so I’ll go with the opinion of my fans again. There’s a really painful scene…oh, wait. I can’t really reveal that without spoiling the book. Ah, can I make one of those vague “it’s a scene where somebody loses somebody very important to them” statements?
What are you working on now?
Well, you know how I mentioned THE HYENA before as one of the first novels I ever worked on? That’s been rattling around in my brain like a pinball for oh, twenty years or so, so coming back to it is like slipping on a glove. I recently had a stroke of genius or a visit from the muse or whatever you want to call it and it occurred to me that what I had previously set up as a far-future space opera should actually take place as a first contact sort of situation on contemporary earth. Also, the main character is now a ballerina. I’m referring to the genre as “balletpunk.”
What's your favorite thing to do when you're not writing?
Drink. Okay, maybe my characters are more like me than I previously copped to…
No, I’m just kidding. Of course I don’t find alcohol abuse funny. I wrote a whole book about it. I guess my favorite thing to do when I’m not writing is paint Warhammer models. One of my army…well, I hesitate to call him a “buddy”…colleagues once told me that mindless dexterous tasks are the most relaxing. So true.
