That being said, here's the WBMS story in a few words: I'm a writer and I like to write and I write often, though much of it is for my own amusement and won't see the light of day anytime soon. To write well, you have to be a reader. So it is not surprising that I love to read. My interests lie mainly in science-fantasy, though I often dabble in other genres when the mood takes me.

Much to the surprise of my small but loyal group of fans, I am an American: I was born and raised here in the United States. It amuses me greatly when I get letters from Britons hailing me as a fellow countryman. I suppose it means I've done my job well. I love sports, too, and that seems to be a shock to many of my readers. When it comes to television, I have very little patience with the insipid tripe that is now on television. I love music, but that's a very long discussion.

I have a great number of opinions and I always want to share them, but people don't want to listen to someone pontificate or proselytise. However, when you write an engaging story you can deliver any message to a willing, eager, receptive audience. It doesn't mean they'll agree with you, but you can make yourself heard. So, for those of you who have engaged me in conversation, you know a lot more than everyone else.

I have one underlying theme in almost everything I write. Friendship is the ultimate universal truth. It's the same thing Tolkien believed when you get right down to it. I suppose when I discovered Tolkien in my early teens, that's what made me fall in love with his works. Sam and Frodo are the physical embodiment of that belief. Every piece of fiction I've written has some take on friendship. I believe it's something very few people really understand. A real friend is nearly impossible to find and something to be cherished above all else. There, now you know one of the few things that makes me tick. A rare bit of information, something I don't like to give out.

13 August 2006
 

For the full survey, see my web site. However here's a quick summary: