I understand you have published about three dozen full-length books and two dozen short ones, these in a variety of genres--adventure, humor, mystery, romance and suspense/thriller. What is the secret of your prolificacy?

Well, I really don't think there's any secret involved. I just write about whatever takes my fancy, and since I'm a voracious reader, I have lots of subject matter buried in my mind that's liable to pop out and demand to be written about just any time. I'll confess to favoring humor, science fiction and suspense so far as the genre I put the subjects in.

How long have you been an author?

Professionally, since 1997 with the publication of my first novel, Medics Wild. I've dabbled with writing most of my life, though, from about twelve years old.

What genre do you enjoy working on the most?

See the first question/answer. I really like doing humor but it doesn't sell as well as most other genres.

This being the December issue, let's talk about your humorous Christmas book, The Santa Claus Lane, as well as its sequels, Doggie Biscuit and Laughing All the Way. In a few words, could you tell us what they are about and what your inspiration for them was?

I guess a common theme is a bumbling, mechanically inept husband trying to be a farmer and being supported by a wife who has much more common sense than him. Unfortunately, I have to admit most of the content is true. The books were based on my twenty years of trying to become a successful Christmas tree farmer, never quite failing but never really making a success of the enterprise, either. I got myself and Betty into more crazy predicaments than you can imagine, then one day started writing about them, just for friends and family. My stepdaughter began passing the stories along to her schoolteacher friends and before long, many of them suggested the stories should be collected into a book. So--I did, and much to my surprise, it and the succeeding ones were published! The Doggie Biscuit book is the life story of our middle sized dachshund, the real boss of the farm. He was the smartest dog I've ever known or read about and got into about as many foolish predicaments as me. Biscuit makes the two dachshunds we have now look like total idiots by comparison, but we love them anyway.

When working on a novel, what is your schedule like? How long does it usually take you to finish a full-length book? Do you edit as your write or do you cough up the first draft and leave the polishing for later?

I do most of my writing in the morning, since I'm an early riser. My biological clock wakes me up at three or four in the morning when most of the world is still sleeping. I spend about four hours on the computer, usually working on several projects at once. I have finished a full length book in a month but it usually takes longer, say two or three months. Once it took ten years, though. I used to do first drafts without going back over them, but that was when my memory was better and I could keep all the characters in my mind. Now I always review what I've written the previous day before getting into new territory.

With so many books published, how do you promote your work and still have time to write, or vice versa? Do you follow a planned writing/marketing schedule? Any tips you would like to share with other authors?

Most of my early promotion efforts were failures, such as advertising. The most successful promotion effort has been my newsletter, and lately my memoirs. After beginning those two efforts, hits on my web site went from a couple of hundred a month to over five thousand a month. Being named Fictionwise Author of the Year sure didn't hurt, either!

The newsletter and memoirs do cut into writing time, but I like doing them and plan on continuing them regardless of how successful I might become.

Fledgling writers often try to emulate their favorite author's style. Did you experience this when you first started writing? If yes, who was your role model?

Yes, and the role model was Robert A. Heinlein

You were chosen Fictionwise 2005 Ebook Author of the Year, and you have fans setting up Yahoo Groups especially to discuss your books. How does this make you feel as an author?

I was pleased, to say the least, by the Fictionwise honor. It was the result of a lot of hard work that particular year, plus a couple of really big best selling e-books. I doubt that anything will ever top my feeling of elation over becoming AOY over many best selling and nationally known authors. When fans set up a yahoo group especially for me, I felt I had arrived as an author. Fans are important and I make sure I always answer their letters promptly, no matter how busy I am.

If you could narrow down the secret to your books' popularity, what would that be?

Interesting subject matter and a good, fast moving story without getting into too much detail. I'm glad it works because I don't know any other way to write!

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Given my present age, I hope I see myself alive!

Would you like to give us a link to your website so readers may learn more about you and your work?