Announcing the Mountain Springs House Blog Tour

I'm an editor on staff at the publishing house, and I'd like you to check out our page, and like us. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mountainsprings/. 

The blog tour page can be found here: http://www.mountainspringpublishing.com/introducing-the-msh-blog-tour/

I'm new to the blogging world, and tours like this. I hope to get comfortable with expressing myself in this format and meeting new people. 

I am single, a big brother to five, uncle to eleven, and nephew to twelve, and was grandson to six. I was born in Ft Lewis, Washington, which is in the opening credits of the movie An Officer and a Gentleman.  I am  an avid reader who likes to draw, make jewelry, listen to music, and watch TV. I am a life-long Hoosier who likes to bowl and play pool. I live in Carmel, Indiana  with an aunt and her two cats. I want to write at least one best-seller, and see it made into a movie. I would like to become a pastor  direct a play, and direct a movie. I would really love to  meet at least one of the cast members of The Big Bang Theory. Hopefully,  coming soon, is a young adult novel about the magic of leprechauns, tentatively titled The Summer Castle. 

One of the reasons I love to write is because it's very liberating. Anything can happen, as long as it makes sense to you (and your editor). :) The best moment in a story, for me, is when a story surprises me by going somewhere I didn't expect. It can pose challenging plot, structure, and character questions. It can also create interesting corners for me to write my way out of. 

I use writing for therapy. I put somebody else's face on my problems and watch them work it out. It helps me. 

One of the ways I come up with ideas for stories is the names of Catholic Patron Saints. If I know what issue drives my main character, I find the name of the saint for that issue. Whatever that name is, it usually presents a conflict issue at the same time. Built in drama that can drive the plot.

If you're a writer that struggles with writer's block, like I do, I've found that the solution suggested by Sean Connery's character in Finding Forester often works. Typing the words of another writer does get the juices flowing. I did try it another way. Listening to audio books helps me. After a few minutes, I barely hear the story. 

I can't believe I won this award. It's such an honor. It also surprises me more than a little.It's fun.

1) Who is your hero and why?

I'm not sure I have a specific hero. I have a lot of respect for soldiers, in all branches of the military, firemen, policemen, and EMS first responders. Historically, I would have to say John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Regan.

2) Why did you become an author?

I was born with a disability, cerebral palsy, so I spent a lot of my childhood obsessed with things I couldn't do. Writing helped me deal with that because, in my mind, not only were all things equal, but I could be my own version of a superhero. 

3) Who or what inspires you?

Reading, music, necessity. Audiobooks. Conversation.

4) If you could encourage your fans with one phrase, what would that phrase be?

Do what you love, even if it scares you. 

5) What is your favorite genre to read? Why?

I try not to limit myself to a specific genre. When I was younger, it was sci-fi and fantasy, and Stephen King. Now, the wider my reading range, the more I learn.

6) What is your favorite genre to write? Why?

Again, I try not to limit myself to a specific genre. I think in terms of story. If the story is good, genre may not matter, except in identifying it for other people to stimulate interest.

7) If you could be any superhero for a day who would you want to be and why?

Superman. I want to be able to fly, run really fast, and stand in line for as long as I can without breaking a sweat and getting breathless.

8) Quick: Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

Chocolate

9) Quick: Favorite Candy Bar

Snickers

10) You have only ten seconds to save an item in your burning house. What do you take and why?

My wallet, because it proves who I am legally, and my Kindle, because of my book collection.

11) Who is the greatest figure to have ever lived and why?

Jesus Christ. Enough said.

11 Random Facts about Me:

1) I like Star Wars and Star Trek; I actually believe they could    exist in the same universe.

2) I am a Johnny Cash fan; If I had the money, I would buy one of his autographed guitars. 

3) I am a huge Peanuts fan; If I had the money, and could find them all, I would buy the original Schultz sketches that were released on the birth dates of all my siblings, and give the drawings to them as gifts.

4) I love roses and orchids.

5) I think Yoda is the bomb.

6) I won 1st place in a Special Olympics swim meet doing the backstroke when I was in elementary school. 

7) The thing I am looking forward to most when I am a best-selling author is giving a lot of money away to evenagelical ministries.

8) I make jewelry.

9) Animal is my favorite Muppet.

10) I want to be a preacher.

11) My favorite TV show is The Big Bang Theory.

11 Questions

1) Have you read a book that you wish was made into a movie? If so, name it.

2) Who is your favorite character from Friends? Why?

3) Who is your favorite character from The Big Bang Theory? Why?

4) If you could write a TV show about anything, what would it be about?

5) Is there such a thing as an author you wish you liked? 

6) What's your favorite guilty pleasure?

7) Would you ever consider running for public office?

8) What is your favorite genre of music?

9) Do you have a favorite historical figure? Who is it?

10) What is your favorite restaurant?

11) Who is your favorite musician/band?