A Writer’s Journey
I’ve been a basketball fan and participant since my childhood. As a teenager, I was a fixture at a number of local parks in my hometown of Portage, Wisconsin where I trained myself to become the “worker” of my high-school team, and executor of the little things that other players didn’t want to do. It was a role that people in a small town could relate to.
The writing process I’ve adapted as an author isn’t all that different from how I trained myself on the basketball court. Although the challenges I encounter with writing my books are often new to me, there’s an underlying feeling I carry of having been here before. As a kid, some of the best basketball I played was when no one was watching me. Knowing this, it’s given me confidence in the work I put forth as a writer, where day-by-day, I continue carving this project out of my life, with the ultimate goal of seeing it through to completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About My Books
Are the To March with Unsung Heroes books a series of memoirs?
No. They’re works of fiction. The basis of my research for writing the To March with Unsung Heroes books has been one of self-reflection, stemming from my experiences as a competitive basketball player over twenty years ago, and the relationships I’ve had with family members, teammates, friends, coworkers, and community members, alike. A substantial amount of time has been spent examining my personal values, specifically when it comes to the ideals and beliefs that matter most to me, and which I’ve tried to instill as the driving force behind the greater To March with Unsung Heroes story.
Why do you think people would be interested in a series of books about a high school basketball team?
Basketball is a widely accessible sport that requires only two things: a ball and a hoop. Almost anyone can take interest in the game, and the excitement and competitiveness that it inspires can be witnessed at venues across the world, from ones as simple as front-yard driveways and outdoor city parks, to school gymnasiums, collegiate and professional arenas, and state-of-the-art sports complexes. The growth of our country’s youth sports culture is real and basketball is a big part of it, which makes me believe that a collection of books dedicated to the game, like those of the To March with Unsung Heroes series, will have a place in the market, particularly for an audience of past, present, and future athletes.
How many books will the To March with Unsung Heroes series consist of, and how many do you currently have written?
This project is a three-book series. The first installment has been completed, and the second book is halfway finished. Both manuscripts have been professionally edited (TLC Editing / Joyce Gilmour, Orange Hat Publishing / Lauren Blue).
Questions About Me
How has your career as an optometrist influenced your writing?
An important part of my work as an optometrist is that I pay close attention to details. This begins with the patient interview and continues directly into the examination sequence. Communication is critical, especially when attempting to convey information that’s relevant to a person’s ocular or systemic health. As a healthcare provider, I feel I have a responsibility to provide integrity-driven care to patients while demonstrating empathy. All of these things go hand-in-hand with who I am as a writer, and they’ve influenced me with how I see and experience the world through the eyes and ears of my characters.
What are your hobbies besides writing?
Playing basketball, golfing, reading to my kids, and spending time with family. I also enjoy youth sports coaching and instruction, traveling, and being an avid fan of Wisconsin-based collegiate and professional sports teams.
What is your favorite part about the writing process?
The writing process allows me to look back at a number of experiences in my life, and make sense of them. I don't know how it works for everyone, but the insight I've drawn from my writing isn't always something that jumps off the paper. I find it hidden around corners and buried in the afterthoughts of characters which, up until the moment I notice them, I hadn't realized were there. The truth is in the details, and when I uncover it, the experience is rewarding.