I don’t know why, but I love writing about fringe characters, people we would see on the street and turn away from. I love writing about those people most would say, “I would never have anything in common with them,” and then showing that we all share some commonality.

Black, white, straight, gay, tall, short, etc., we are all people, all humans. As such, we generally share some common desires. The most primordial instinct is self-preservation. Yes, some people act against that, like those who are suicidal, but also those who love someone else more. My mind goes to all the soldiers, firefighters, and cops who charge into harm’s way to save a brother-at-arms or even a stranger.

In general, we all want to survive, to avoid pain, to escape heartache. We all want to be understood, heard, and most importantly loved–whether in a romantic, platonic, or familial way.

Just because someone is a republican or democrat, trans or a misogynist, doesn’t change the fact that we are all human and all can find some common ground somewhere. The billionaire and the unemployed socialist can find something they agree on if they just take the time to be honest and open with each other . . . and themselves.

I also like putting these people together. 

In a novel I hope to release soon, we have a racist skinhead and a homeless black Vietnam vet in 2008 trapped together and trying to figure out how to escape. In Dead Town (Coming in September 2025), the characters range from normal to witches to a pagan religion professor all in a haunted house where there was a mass murder of satanists.