-Why this book?

I’m guessing you’re asking that because THE PULL OF GRAVITY is not a thriller like my other novels. The short answer is, if a story comes to me that is screaming to be told, I write it. The longer answer is, I love almost all genres and have had ideas that could fit into most of the. I actually started this novel before my first thriller, THE CLEANER, was sold to a publisher. Again, it was a story that just wanted to be told, and since I wasn’t yet labeled a Thriller Writer, it didn’t even cross my mind that I shouldn’t be writing it. Once I was published, though, I put it to the side because I had other books I was contracted to write. Still, every few years, I’d pull it out and tinker with it. Finally, last May and with the advent of publishing independently through ebooks, I decided the time had come to finish it. So I got it into shape, and put it out there. It’s always been one of the favorite things I’ve ever written (in fact it’s my parents’ favorite novel that I’ve written), I’m just glad I could finally see it released.

-Was it hard stepping out of your comfort zone to write this novel?

Not really. Again, if a story keeps demanding my attention, eventually that’s what it will get. I just love to write, so stepping out of my comfort zone, to me anyway, would probably involve something that had nothing to do with writing.

-Where did you come up with the characters?

Mostly from my imagination, but it was influenced largely by people I’ve talked to, research I did, and a trip to the Philippines I took several years ago.

-The emotion of this novel , where did it come from?

From the characters and the story that unfolded. I actually didn’t know where a lot of it was going as I wrote it, but it just poured out, and the emotion was there from the beginning. It was a very satisfying, yet draining book to write.

-Since you have decided to self -publish you have been a dynamo, how does it feel, is it liberating?

Very liberating in most ways. I love that as soon as a book is ready I can release. I also love, as is demonstrated by THE PULL OF GRAVITY, that I am not limited in the kinds of books I can publish. Both of those things are gold to me. The harder parts have to do with pr, marketing, figuring out how to increase sales, etc. But I’ve had those worries with my traditionally published books, too, it’s just now it’s 100% on me.

-When are you going to kill me in one of your works?

Let me get on that and get back to you.

-You have now written in just about every size imaginable: digital short story, novella, full length. What do you enjoy most or do you just enjoy the challenge each presents to you?

Love them all. It’s the characters and the stories that are important.

-Why was it so hard for you to decide on the beard? Why the Waffle?

HA! Wasn’t so hard as I was making it out. I enjoyed the beard for several weeks, but, in all honesty, it was a bit too scratchy for me to keep. Just thought I’d see what others thought before I whacked it off.

-Hit me a recipe!

Two pieces of bread. Peanut butter (smooth). Strawberry jam. Slather on the pb & j, put top bread on, take a bite. Heaven.

-This is my new thing, what is a question that no one has asked you that you have been begging to be asked and then please answer it.

Did Judge Wapner of The People’s Court really give you a Christmas present one year? Yes. Yes he did. Candied fruit. I was on the studio crew (cable puller, lowest of the low) for two season back in the late 80s.

-I have heard that you are contemplating public office. Is this a Presidential run and if so will the Cleaner be your fixer?

Oh, no public office for me. I’m not that dumb. But Quinn would be a good fixer to have in my corner if I did.

-When are you and Stephen Jay Schwartz going to come back on The G-ZONE and party?

I think that’s up to you!

-What is next for you? What can we expect under the Christmas tree and in 2012?

A couple of things. The next Logan Harper book should be out by the end of the month, early November at the latest. It’s called EVERY PRECIOUS THING. I’m also hoping to have the sequel to SICK—entitled EXIT NINE—out by Christmas. Then in the Spring of 2012 will be when I release the fifty Quinn novel, THE RETURNED.