|
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:
Why write about something as personal as your wife's battle
against breast cancer?
A: Nobel prize-winning author Toni Morrison said, "If there
is a book that you really want to read but it hasn't been written
yet, then you must write it." I never wanted to write the
story, but I had to. When my wife began treatment, there was
no book out there telling me what I was going to experience.
I wanted and needed to know the truth and had no idea her cancer
would be so difficult on both of us. While she suffered through
the treatment, I suffered through ignorance. My pain came from
the stress of being the primary care provider, unable to help
the woman I loved as she was dying. As a result, our marriage
took some hits. Conquering Cancer: My
Wife, Our Love is a personal story and my secret. If
it helps one person get through this terrible time, it will
be tears well spent.
Q:
How is Meri Beth doing since her cancer?
A:
Meri Beth is doing well. Although the cancer is behind her,
she still looks over her shoulder and sees it looming in her
past.
Q:
You have written in so many different styles, what type of writing
do you prefer?
A:
Before Conquering Cancer, I preferred
to write about things that might be, science fiction, or more
aptly, social fiction. I have always believed that love makes
anything, everything, worthwhile. Since Conquering Cancer, I
realize I need to tell stories closer to reality with only a
slight twist in what is possible. In WHEN
A WOMAN, I stay closer to the realistic idea that
love is what's left after making hard choices. Not because their
residual nature, but because the protagonist has experienced
a life altering lesson-as we all do.
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
Scotty Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Dean Koontz. At least one
of the three is still alive. To me, Koontz is the master of
the written word today. As for the master of the transition,
it's hard to beat John Irving. I enjoy Koontz' fantastic plots
and Irving's quirky characters.
My goal is to write like Dean Koontz after a road trip with
Scotty and Zelda Fitzgerald.
Q:
How do your story lines evolve? Do you work from an outline?
A:
I find outlines to be essential and often produce outlines that
are longer than the novel-especially after the editing process.
Many artists say outlines foil creativity. Not to me. I start
with a theme, pick a myth in a culture I would like to explore,
and create a plot by juxtaposing opposite images and impulses.
Then I create backgrounds, subplots, motivations, and story.
During the writing phase, I allow the story to morph as it unfolds.
It's like driving at night with a short in your headlights;
you know where you're going, but every so often the lights flicker
on or off, revealing something you didn't expect, like an albino
prairie dog, or a 16 wheeler approaching fast….
Q:
What is the Blue Jaguar Foundation?
A:
The Blue Jaguar Foundation is my lifelong dream to help children
with cancer. While still in the planning stages, I plan to create
a summer camp with medical facilities where children and their
parents can come for an all-expense paid vacation during their
treatment. I have found people need to get away. At the Blue
Jaguar Ranch, families can come together with others in their
position to help them through a very emotional and illogical
time.
I hope to have the ranch open by the summer of 2009.
Q:
What would you like to say to artists?
A:
Finish what you start, be positive, persistent, and keep an
open mind. Seek to balance your body and mind. Life is too short
for anger and regrets. Ignore the little irritations. Have fun,
be happy. Laugh loud and smile. Dance like an intoxicated connoisseur of the art.
But most importantly, fall in love over and over.
|
