I was never very keen about talking or writing about myself; in fact I find it downright uncomfortable. That being said, I will do my best to plow my way through. I grew up with a pretty normal childhood a mom, dad and two brothers whose singular purpose in life was to torture and beat the shit out of me. Daily beatings from my older siblings occurred regularly until I reached the lovely age where I became physically bigger than them and could shell out my own retaliatory measures in kind. Believe it or not, when I was in elementary school I had a very difficult time reading and writing; I had to attend learning assistance classes to try and keep up with the rest of my classmates. It was extremely difficult for me to get to a point where I felt confident with reading but when I did it felt like a light went on and I haven’t been able to put books down ever since. Through thick and thin I could always count on a book to be there for me and I feel there is something magical about them that allows us transcend the mundane tribulations of reality and immerse ourselves into another realm where we can be anyone we desire to be. As many I am sure are aware time flew by with little consideration for the tenuous grasp many of us hold to the past. It wasn’t long before high school came where I played football passionately and tried my hardest to get the best grades that I could. It was in high school that I took a creative writing class that would begin to shape the idea for a fantasy series I am still currently working on. I never had considered the possibility that I could perhaps one day create a novel of my own but that class filled me with a desire to write and it was something I could never forget. As quickly as it came it was over before I could truly appreciate the times that I had. After high school I attended Vancouver Island University and received a Bachelor’s Degree with Distinction with a major in Criminology and a minor in Political Science. I wish I could say that I followed my dream to be a writer and put it all on the line but the truth is I decided to take a more pragmatic approach and secure a job with full time employment and came with a pension. Writing took a backseat for a lot of years and even though I constantly filed ideas for new characters, storylines and novels away for later I didn’t type a single word of anything. After my Bachelor’s I decided that I might as well piss away some more money and get another relatively useless degree so I enrolled at Queen’s University Belfast and received my Master of Arts Degree with Commendation in Violence, Terrorism and Security Studies. Sounds incredibly interesting, I know, but let me be honest here and say Jason Bourne won’t be knocking on my door anytime soon to help obliterate a terrorist cell or overthrow a corrupt government cabal. Seeing I was in Ireland I naturally spent more time drinking than I did studying but it was where the beginning thoughts for Six Feet Under and Killing It began to form. If you ever meet me it would be about at this time you would likely have the same first impression as countless others have had and divulged to me after. I have a head like a cinder block, a Neanderthal brow, large frame, ungodly amount of tattoos and narrow dead eyes. You may have already guessed it, at first glance I am either a brawler, not to subtle hit man, ex-con, currently practicing con, asshole or all of the above. When people finally overcome their trepidation and get to know me they quickly come to realize how different my persona is from my physical appearance. A lesson that should be taught again and again, never judge a book by its cover. While my career does not solely revolve around writing it is something that I truly love and plan to carry on until I have either descended into complete and utter insanity or my mind can no longer create the fantasies I often retreat into on an hourly basis. I am lucky enough to say that I live happily on Vancouver Island surrounded by both family and friends who have been nothing but supportive of my dreams to write and publish books. I need to thank both aforementioned friends and family who never cease to unwittingly provide me with limitless material for my fictions. I am a lucky man to live in a time where it’s possible for an unrecognized writer like me to actually manage to get my book published. Thank you so much to everyone who believed in me and always offered encouragement throughout this journey; I love you all very much. |