Writing, reading (fantasy, historical fiction of the adventure sort, some horror), cycling (mountain biking, road bikin'), hiking, chasing my 2 dogs around the backyard
Music
Genesis, Sting, Sarah McLachlan, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, 10,000 Maniacs, Billy Joel, Blue Knights, The Cars, Bryan Adams, Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, The Cranberries, Garbage, Depeche Mode, Dixie Chicks, Duncan Sheik, Enya, Fuel, Fattburger, The Sundays, the list goes on!
Movies
Field of Dreams, Batman, Batman Begins, Spider-Man, The Rock, LotR series, Shrek, 13th Warrior, Conan, The Untouchables, The Hunt for Red October
Television
Stargate SG1, Stargate Atlantis, Mad TV, Prison Break, Battlestar Galactica, just about anything having to do with ancient, Roman, or Napoleonic history on the History Channel
Books
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien; most of the early Shannara books, Terry Brooks; Richard Sharpe series, Bernard Cornwell; The Aubrey/Maturin series, Patrick O'Brian; Hornblower series, C.S. Forester; The Thomas Covenant Chronicles, Stephen R. Donaldson; David Gemmell; The Golden, Lucius Shepherd; H.P. Lovecraft; Robert E. Howard; Dave Duncan; Elric series, Michael Moorcock; Thieves' World; Asimov's Robot series; Soldier of the Mist, Gene Wolfe; MacBeth, William Shakespeare; The Black Company, Glen Cook; Malazan series, Steven Erikson; The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch; The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner; Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman; Philip Marlowe detective series, Raymond Chandler
I'm a fantasy novelist working towards my first "real" publication. When I'm not working at my day job as a software engineer, I'm writing. It's a long road, with a lot of twists and turns, but you do what you have to. Writing a novel is, after all, a marathon, not a sprint.
Think the fantastic: sorcery, elemental magic, beasts with no name, and places that defy imagination. Heroes you wish you were, and villains you wish you never have to meet beyond the words on a page. It is a world where alchemy and science work alongside wizardry, a world where the gods have destroyed themselves once and for all so that not even their shadows darken one's doorstep. There are no elves here. Meet the Eslar, a blue-black skinned people known for their taciturn nature and higher knowledge of both sorcery and science; the Raspel, who pride themselves on trickery as much as they do an honest deal; the Sitheri, a reptilian people who, as initiates, set out into the world, unable to return to their own lands until they've slain a hundred foes; and, of course, Men, who command respect because of their fortitude, intelligence, and unquenchable desire for knowledge.
This is the world my writing is set in, though take note that this is the larger picture. My stories often take place in just a small portion of what I have described. Character driven, they thrive on mystery and suspense as much as they do adventure.
I consider my influences Robert E. Howard, J.R.R. Tolkien, H.P. Lovecraft, Michael Moorcock, and Terry Brooks.
If you're interested in reading some of my "stuff"...
My first novel, The Hall of the Wood is available as a free download on my web site. If you like a witch's brew of sorcerers, rangers, witches, and knights, with a heavy dose of suspense and mystery thrown in for good measure, you'll like The Hall of the Wood.
More About Me
When I'm not writing or designing software, I enjoy working outside around the house, spending time with my wife and two dogs, hanging with friends and family, or just sitting out back sipping pina coladas (or margaritas)! I like both my coffee and beer dark, and like Italian and Mexican food the best. I'm from the Bay Area, so the San Francisco Giants are my team. I'm an avid cyclist--both mountain biking and road riding--and also enjoy running, hiking, and weight lifting.
Who I'd like to meet: Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, C.S. Forester, Ernest Hemingway, Bernard Cornwell, Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft
Have a glorious and interesting birthday. May good people always rise to happily send evil people to their everlasting reward at the clambake in the center of the sun !
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