| Q. When did you start writing? A. I started writing "MEG" in the summer of 1995. Q. How long did it take to get your first book published? A. I was lucky. The manuscript sold immediately. Q. How did it feel when you first got published? A. Felt terrific. Very rewarding. But it's not an easy business. Stressfull in that you are never sure what is good. Q. What's your writing schedule like? A. Every morning I feed the dog, drink my protein shake, then read the newspaper (for research) from front to back. It's important to stay current. (It's also important to feed the dog or she won't let me work.) I spend the next hour answering e-mails. Once I start working, I will plow through until about one o'clock, take a ten minute lunch break, anwser more e-mails, then start the afternoon session. I stop when my brain feels fried, usually between five and six. But I never stop thinking about the story. I keep a pen and pad in my car and by the night stand in case an idea hits. When writing a novel, I literally eat, sleep, and dream the story. Q. How long does it take you to write a book? A. About 6-8 months, but "Domain" took longer. Very challenging book to get right, but it was worth it. Q. Have you ever had writers block? How did you get over it? A. WRITER'S BLOCK is just an excuse not to write. I refuse to accept excuses. My job is to write books. If I don't work, my family goes hungry. Q. Who are your favorite writers? A. I like Tom Clancy and Ann Rice, Michael Cricton and Frank Herbert. Thomas Harris is also terrific. I learned a lot from all of these writers. Q. Why did you decide to start writing about Megalodons? A. I've always been facinated about Great White stories and the Meg was the biggest, meanest one of them all. Yet, nothing was really out there in print. Q. How did you research for the Meg books? A. Used Great White info for the shark, used the library, then later the internet for details in the story. Q. Which of your characters is most like you? A. That's a tough question. Maybe Jonas. I've had my share of ups and downs too. For the rest of the interview, CLICK HERE |