I am a recovering newspaper reporter. I am now working on my first novel.
When I am not writing, I am an usher at Miller Park, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. I also drive an airport shuttle to help pay the bills.
I think a newsroom is one of the best places to learn to write. Working in one teaches one to be accurate and clear in your writing. It also trains one how to work with editors, meets deadlines, and write dialog. It also teaches writing discipline. When you are on deadline, writers' block is not an option. Plus, a reporter pretty much writes every day.
I also worked in marketing and public relations. That's going to come in handy when I sell my novel.
My favorite authors are Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Richard Russo, and Umberto Ecco. However, I am read everything I can get my hands on.
I am also a bicycle rider.
I love live theater. Milwaukee has great live theater, particularly the Milwaukee Repertory Theater Company.
Whenever I visit any city, the first thing I look for is a bookstore. You can learn a lot about a community by what it reads.