Book: Blood In The Water
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I’ve owned and published an alt-weekly newspaper, Inweekly, in Pensacola, Florida, since July 1, 1999. I’ve won awards for investigative reporting over the years, covering sensational murder cases, corruption, civil rights and the BP oil spill. I’ve been fortunate to be profiled by The New York Times and have been featured on Dateline NBC and the Investigation Discovery channel. I love Tito’s and soda, dive bars and swapping tales.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Blood In The Water’ book?
Carving time out for writing was the biggest challenge. Most of the writing was done early in the morning or late at night. I also had to take an event that actually took place, a jail explosion, and add fictional layers that would attract a reader. Researching the Ku Klux Klan and Dixie Mafia took time and deep dives into historical archives to pin down.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I attended Ole Miss when John Grisham was in law school there and got to know his younger brother, Jimmy. “A Time to Kill” had a significant impact on me because I could picture the people and places in the book. Fellow Floridan Carl Hiaasen’s zany characters and storylines also impacted me. I wanted to do for Northwest Florida what he accomplished for Miami and the Keys. Another influential author is the late Dick Francis, whose books were brilliantly written in first person.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I enjoy New Orleans—its food, music, history and people. And it’s only a three-hour drive from Pensacola. There’s nothing better than jogging through the French Quarter on a foggy morning and stopping for coffee and beignets at Café Du Monde.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I’m not much for outlines, maybe because of my journalism background. I figure out how I want my characters to grow and develop in the book and what will be the primary catalyst that will bring about change in their lives. I only have a general idea of how I want it to end. Meanwhile, I’m constantly jotting down bits of dialogue I hear on the streets and in bars and stories that people share.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘City Of Grudges’ book?
A lifetime. No, it started as a series of short stories I wrote for my blog ten years ago. Friends suggested I write a book based on them. The first draft took six months. Editing and rewrites took another nine.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?
Amazon is the best platform to find my books.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?
“City of Grudges” started as simply “Grudges,” but my publisher, SelectBooks, thankfully pushed for something better. He also came up with the cover. I started with “Blood in the Water” for the second book, and it stuck. I probably should have spent more time on that title since I didn’t realize how many other authors have used it. A lesson learned.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
My protagonist, Walker Holmes, is so imperfect that he is always throwing himself into new situations. Plus, Pensacola has a rich history that provides plenty of fodder for storytelling.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Walker Holmes will never get the girl. Big Boy will.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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