I grew up on a farm five and a half miles up a gravel road from nowhere. I was a lonely only child who didn't know he was all that lonely because he had books to read. I can't remember a time when I didn't have a book or two going and hope that my last chapter will not end before I finish whatever book has me in its thrall.

It was always at the back of my mind that I would write someday after I had experienced enough of "real" life to make what I wrote credible. Raising a family, working for a couple of decades as a design engineer (six patents), and running a small business for a few years may (or may not) have given me enough grounding.

My first novel "Sergeant Tom's War" grew out of my interest in the American Civil war. When I found out that my great grandfather was a Sergeant in the 40th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and that he had been in battles I had read about since my youth I decided Sergeant Thomas B. Richardson was as good of a character as I was ever going to find to start with.

Great Grandpa didn't leave any memoirs, so I made him up out of spare parts, some from my own father, some of my own numerous quirks, and maybe a little of "Pa Walton" thrown in. (I always picture him looking like Ralph Waite). I had a great time imagining what Tom's life was like from the time he enlisted until he mustered out during the Siege of Atlanta and I hope those who have indicated they liked the book are as fond of the old boy as I am.

I have written four more novels and a collection of short stories since "Sergeant Tom" and have others in the making. I am back in the same house down the same gravel road, where I read, write, deer hunt, and aggravate my poor wife. Life is good.