Tell us about yourself.:
I am a fun-loving, passionate Christ-follower in my early 20’s. I got recently married to my beautiful wife, Sharon, in September of 2024. I enjoy watching fantasy and superhero movies, listening to Christian music and epic/techno soundtracks, being with my friends and family at church, and of course, writing fantasy stories! I was born in Texas, but lived most of my life with my parents and four younger brothers in the town of Duncan, Oklahoma. My wife and I now live in Moore, Oklahoma.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I spent most of my childhood in a country house in Duncan, Oklahoma. We lived on several acres, much of which was made up of woods. My brothers and I often explored those woods, and I got much of my fantasy inspiration there. During the pandemic, some of us got into the hobby of forging, specifically knives. There are a few scenes in my works that incorporate forging as well. I would say my biggest inspiration, however, has come from how I was raised in church. What I have been taught there and at home, which I've been convinced are true, plays a large role in what I write, and is in fact my motivation for writing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I'm deeply intrigued by the meanings of names. For most of the characters I incorporate in my stories, I try to look up names with certain meanings that fit each character's personality. I also try to sync the nationalities of certain characters' names, depending on where they're from and what fantastical creature they are.
What authors have influenced you?
I spent most of my childhood in a country house in Duncan, Oklahoma. We lived on several acres, much of which was made up of woods. My brothers and I often explored those woods, and I got much of my fantasy inspiration there. During the pandemic, some of us got into the hobby of forging, specifically knives. There are a few scenes in my works that incorporate forging as well. I would say my biggest inspiration, however, has come from how I was raised in church. What I have been taught there and at home, which I've been convinced are true, plays a large role in what I write, and is in fact my motivation for writing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’d say that whatever you plan to write, in whatever genre interests you, ensure that your stories have a point or a moral to them. If you like to make stories that don’t have points but you don’t intend to publish them, then by all means have a blast with it! But if you want to publish something for the world to read, I’d say it’s far more worthwhile for your audience to benefit from a moral that they can grow from. Just be 100% sure that that moral is accurate and true.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
I think the best advice I've been given concerning writing was from my mom. She occasionally reminds me to make sure I enjoy writing, and not make it a drag or a chore. I do take it seriously, but I want to make sure my passion for writing remains kindled.
What are you reading now?
I'm currently reading "The Two Towers", the second Lord of the Rings book. I've seen the movies, but there's so much more depth in the lore and the characters and cultures that I never knew, and that inspires me as I make my own! Additionally, by God's grace I've been in the habit of regularly reading the Bible. I'm currently reading through 1 John, which has so much depth into who God truly is and how his Church should act if we're really following Him.
What’s your biggest weakness?
I can tend to be perfectionistic when it comes to writing, among other things. In doing so, I don't give myself as much slack as what might be considered normal. Plus, it tends to make me a little slow as I revise several times over.
What is your favorite book of all time?
If I had to pick one, I'd say "The Hobbit" is my favorite book ever. Again, there's so much depth in the characters and the story, and it's easy to read and get hooked on. The morals of this story, both subtle and clear, are on point too.
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I enjoy spending time with my wife, which can include activities such as dates, watching movies or YouTube, chatting, or playing Mariokart. I also love joking around with my parents, brothers, and in-laws, and serving alongside my friends and family at church. When I'm alone, you'll find me either writing, building Legos, listening to music, or playing video games.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I do not recall the first ever story I read on my own, but I'm sure it probably had something to do with the Bible, Thomas and Friends, or Pixar. I do remember reading several Bible stories, which to this day have an impact on me. They eventually led me to surrender my life to Jesus, and they've continued to help me in my relationship with Him since then.
What has inspired you and your writing style?
I continue to be inspired by C.S. Lewis's writing style, be it his fictional or nonfictional works. He's so laid back and genuine in his writing, and it feels like he's having a face-to-face conversation with the reader. Yet, if it's fiction he's telling, the reader feels fully immersed in the story without there being any disillusionment, or feeling like the reader is on the outside looking in. I aspire to write like this.
What are you working on now?
Thanks only to Christ, I've managed to publish the first two books in a fantasy series entitled "Envoys in the Multiverse". Currently, I'm working on the third in the series. This specific book will likely be called, "Fields and Shadows". In the first two books, a handful of young adult humans discover that they're in a multiverse, a multitude of worlds, if you will. At the center of them all is a talking, omniscient Vine called Nazir. Nazir is the king over every world, and makes those of the young adults who are willing to be his Envoys. They get equipped with armor and weapons unique to each of them, and Nazir sends them to fight battles, promote peace, and tell those they encounter about Nazir. Their relationships with him are their main priority, and that is constantly put to the test. The third book is where these Envoys, in their rapidly expanding team, learn who their real enemy is, who their allies are, and the differences between the two.
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I enjoy doing interviews such as this, to be honest. Not only does it get my work to more eyes, but it allows me to talk about what I'm passionate about with others who share similar passions!
What’s next for you as a writer?
The plan is to finish the manuscript for this third book and get it published sometime next year. After that, I plan to begin the outline for the fourth and final installment for the "Envoys in the Multiverse" series, which I am very excited about!
How well do you work under pressure?
I'm a major planner, so I probably don't work super well under pressure. Cramming things until the last minute stresses me out, so I like having all my ducks in as much of a row as I can to avoid that outcome. If worse comes to worst and I need to work under pressure, I can get it done, but I end up feeling less confident that the product is my best effort.
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
If it's an action-packed sequence I'm writing at the moment, I try to provide as much detail as appropriately possible to give the reader as much as possible to grasp onto and imagine, while giving a suspenseful tone to give question for what will happen next. If it's a moral I'm trying to convey, I want to make sure it's stated clearly, but in a loving tone. Those are my top two tone techniques.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
Jesus loves you more than you could ever know, and if you don't have a reconciled relationship with Him, He wants that to happen badly, and He's doing so much in your life to make that a reality. As a fellow human and distant friend, I also love you, and I deeply desire to show you through story the things that have impacted my life so much.
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