Frequently Asked Questions

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Describe the stories in “Greyhound Cowboy” for people who are just learning about it.

It’s a peek into the frailty of life, the evolving nature of friendship, the struggle for acceptance, and the fretful decisions made as we confront the details baked into our daily existence. The characters wrestle with demons large and small.

What genre of fiction is it?

The fancy term for it is literary fiction. For me, that really means it’s about real people with real issues. Sometimes it’s easier to define literary fiction by stating what it is not: it’s not science fiction, it doesn’t have mermaids show up in the story (magical realism), it’s not dystopian with an imaginary society in the future, after something terrible has happened such as “The Road,” by Cormac McCarthy, and it’s not a mystery.
 

Are there any specific themes or messages you hope readers will take away from your work?

 We all have our struggles, and some are bigger than others, but we have no choice but to try to work through them. Sometimes, that goes well, other times, not so much.

 

Did you always know you’d be a writer?

No, not at all. I knew I liked to write but never thought about being a “writer.”
 

When did you start writing?

I started seriously writing in 2014.
 

What inspires you?

I love writing about Alaska, the mountains, and the ruggedness. Anything with the outdoors is good stuff.

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How much of your stories are autobiographical?
Almost every story has something autobiographical in it. Some are largely based on real events. Others, it may just be a small component of something I did or saw.
 

Did you have a story you really enjoyed writing?

There were several: The Lookout, Bunker Down, Syria, Ned Thayer, and Enola Gay were all fun to write. In some cases, the mix of humor with the more serious content was particularly enjoyable.
 

At what point did you decide to be an author and what was your path to publication?

I just kept writing, and then learned about the submission process. It was very exciting having my first story, “Walking Out,” published in Cirque. From there, I just kept at it, trying to learn more about what makes a good short story.
 

What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a story? Do you chase the new idea or do you finish your current project first?

If a new idea hits, I’ll typically make a note, and then follow up later.
 

Who is your favorite character to write, and why is that person your favorite?

I like writing characters that are loveable losers or characters with flaws that also have soft sides.
 

Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?

I don’t tend to outline. I start writing usually with a few scenes in mind. Some of those scenes get cut, and others get more fleshed out or lead to new scenes. In one story, I really needed the scenes to be in a certain order so I set up a “scene list” to help make sure that nothing was out of sequence.
 

What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?

For short story collections, I’m a big fan of Thomas McGuane (“Cloudbursts”), Leigh Newman (“Nobody Gets Out of Here Alive”), and Maille Meloy (“Both Ways Is The Only Way I Want It”). For novels, I’ve enjoyed “The Shipping News” by Annie Proulx, “All The Light You Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr, and “Manhattan Beach” by Jennifer Egan.
 

Tell us what you enjoy most about writing short stories.

Striving to find the perfect balance of character, plot, and pacing. With a great ending.
 

What have you found to be most challenging about writing literary fiction?

Developing a subtext to the story. The best stories work at two levels: the obvious events happening, and the deeper, less evident part. It could be bullying, evolving friendship, or some form of self-realization.
 

Do you identify with your characters or do you create characters that are your opposite?

I don’t know if I really identify with my characters. Certainly, there may be something in me that pops up in a character.
 

Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?

It’s pretty simple; I just want them to enjoy it.
 

Do you have any odd writing habits?

Not really. I just try to put one foot forward at a time, and make a point to hit it hard when inspiration strikes. I’m a very incremental writer. I may write a paragraph and stop, or put a note in the story to expand on a point when I start writing again.
 

What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Too much backstory. “Somebody with as much publishing success as you, should know better.” The criticism was accurate. The message was a bit harsh. The best compliments were two of my stories receiving Pushcart Prize nominations. It’s also heartening when a person approaches me after doing a reading and they tell me they really enjoyed it. That’s gold.

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Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Stick with it and don’t let the rejection and criticism stop you. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.

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What is your favorite line from your book?

It’s a line from my story Enola Gay: "Time and distance are twins, and I couldn’t tell if they soothed or numbed."