FAQs
Apologies For My Irrepressible Sense of American Humor
What’s The Deal with Rocky and Bullwinkle?
Favorite Authors
Who can resist Jay Ward’s flying squirrel and a hapless moose who champion American Democratic values? Their arch nemesis? A pair of stereotypical Russian spies - Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale whose Fearless Leader is bent on world domination.
The parallel between ‘60s Cold War humor and today’s current international order is not so funny. Just like the 60s cartoon, Putin assassination squads use the same methods as the 60s cartoon villains. Check out Novichok and The Wagner plane explosion. Read about Alexander Navalny. Ask Bill Broder about Sergei Magnitsky.
Rocky and Bullwinkle feature great political satire and comedy. Russia, Iran, North Korea and sock puppets like Belarus are just plain not funny.
Who Are Your Primary Influences
All my writing features many references to refined international experts and intellectuals beginning with Jay Ward, The Three Stooges, Groucho Marx, Rodney Dangerfield and, finally, Jon Stewart.
Unfortunately for John Sandford, Daniel Silva, Elmore Leonard, Lee Child and Carl Haissen, they have had an influence on my writing style as well.
En serio? We want to know who’s responsible.
Do You Prefer Working Mornings, Afternoons or Evenings?
Favorite Songs That Tell A Story
Ok, already…. I’d say my mom and my wife.
Mom was a bibliophile and a former bookstore owner who had an extensive personal library of signed first editions. Lois always pushed me to write, but I resisted, preferring to eat three meals a day and support my family.
Unfortunately, at 90 years old she passed away before I finished the final draft of the 25° South: Kill the Iranian. She never saw the finished product but did get to read the first draft.
My lovely Paraguayan wife has played a big role in helping me create many of the South American characters. She’s also been instrumental in my development of the cultural disconnects between the Paraguayan and Chicago characters in the book.
At this point she doesn’t know about her contributions and frankly, I’m not the one who is going to tell her. I’d like to be around long enough to finish the 2nd book in the series.
How Did a Guy from Chicago End Up in Paraguay?
Tell Me About Your Writing Style
It’s not that complicated. Eighteen years ago, I met a wonderful woman in Chicago who happened to be from Paraguay. She has a wicked sense of humor and is the bravest person I’ve ever met. We eventually married and now split our time between Asuncion and Chicago.
As I mention above, many of my secondary storylines feature the culture clash of feral Norte Americanos and the refined and respectful Paraguayans.
With that in mind, here is a glimpse into one of our daily conversations. While driving to an upscale gathering, I was advised … “Be yourself. They don’t expect much from Norteamericanos.”
She said it in earnest and still, to this day hasn’t figured out why I thought it was so damn funny.
I’m definitely a ‘Pantser’ with a dash of ‘Outliner’. Many of my writing sessions reveal something unexpected - whether it’s humorous dialog or a serious reckoning between characters.
The next day I’ll then go back and review. If it sticks (and it never sticks!) I’ll outline that day’s creation. This allows me to remain consistent with previous chapters.
The biggest advantage to pushing the outline aside? The ending of a book is as much a surprise to me as it will be to you.
I actually had tears in my eyes when I finished the final chapters of 25° South: Kill the Iranian. If that twist blindsided me - the guy writing it - you won’t see it coming either.
Hmmm, easy question to ask, more difficult to answer.
Working in two continents and multiple time zones can be a challenge. My circadian rhythms are in a constant state of revolt.
When we’re in Chicago, I prefer early mornings. I’m the only one up and about at those early hours and it’s easy to focus.
On the other hand, when we’re in Asuncion, I unconditionally surrender to the Paraguayan heat and humidity. I usually write early and late evenings. Morning hours are dedicated to outdoor activities or renovating the old house.
There are also cultural considerations. Afternoons are reserved for lunch, siestas and then merienda. By default, evenings are the best.
My reading tastes are all over the map. I still get excited about the launch of any John Sandford book. I recently stayed up all night to read the newly released Daniel Silva book -Ransom.
The book that hooked me on espionage and thrillers was David Morell’s Brotherhood of The Rose.
It seems like I’ve been reading Elmore Leanord books for as long as I can remember. Like most who read thrillers, I am also a devoted fan of Lee Child. Yes, I am a ‘Reacher Creature’. Honorable mention to Barry Eisler.
My favorite crime author is Donald Westlake -still love the Parker series. If you want old timey political thrillers Fletcher Knebel’s classic, Seven Days in May, has a haunting feel to it - particularly after January 6th.
If I’m in the mood for humor, my go to authors are Carl Haissen and that good old boy, Dan Jenkins. Florida and Texas humor. Proof positive the United States is not homogenous.
That reminds me, I need to find authors in the humor and satire genre from Ohio and South Dakota to complete my version of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.
If it’s storytelling you're looking for, check out just a few of these timeless songs;
For that old west twang - Marty Robbins’ classic ‘El Paso’ and ‘The Gambler’ recorded by Kenny Rogers.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot is a dramatic retelling of a shipwreck on Lake Superior.
Don’t forget about Billy Joel’s, Italian Restaurant or Johnny Cash’s Boy Named Sue.
For contemporary storytelling, no one can top Harry Chapin. Most know the songwriter for “Taxi” and “Cats in The Cradle”, but his portfolio is rich and alive with much more. Check out his live album - Greatest Stories Live. You’ll be hooked for life.
Curious about what it was like to smile in the face of conscription during the Viet Nam war years? An all-time favorite is “The Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” by Arlo Guthrie. Yes, that is the correct spelling - Massacree. If you’re from New England or the East Coast, you’ll hear the song replayed every Thanksgiving. All 18 minutes and 34 seconds of it.