Difficult Times follows an eighteen-year-old farm boy in the 1860s who dreams of heroism and honor and joins the Union army. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I have always been inspired by the sacrifice and dedication some individuals put into a cause they feel passionate about. Regardless of the cause, there is one defining characteristic these people display, and that’s dedication and a no quit attitude. I wanted to illustrate, in some small way, how much sacrifice it takes to build and maintain a country. I wanted to show how much sacrifice and heartache just one family might have to endure to meet those ends, just one family, multiplied by thousands upon thousands throughout the years. My vehicle was the Civil War.

What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the stories theme?

I researched every aspect of the book, from competing attitudes and political views to how much coffee an individual soldier was issued. For this general type information, I used Wikipedia and Google. Newsletters and historical government websites were helpful.

I read Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier by Joseph Plumb Martin to see how Thomas connected with the author and helped influence his decision to volunteer.

I consulted Major George L. Wood’s The Seventh Regiment, a Record 1865, for first-hand accounts of troop movements, timelines, and campaigns.

Finally, I researched the Library of Congress for actual newspaper accounts. I felt presenting these articles would help drive home the point that these events happened to real people and that these real people and their families suffered real emotions.

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?

I believe that whatever our stations in life is, most of us imagine ourselves being, doing, or experiencing other things. From Sci-Fi to Horror to heroics, the possibilities are endless. The fiction writer who can tap into a topic, or fantasy, and present it well, will most likely have the greatest success.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

My next book will be a collection of short stories. I have only completed two so I can’t give a timeline as to when the book will be ready for publication.