Q&A WITH VINCENT

When DID YOU START WRITING?

In high school. Most of my classmates were trying to get out of homework. I started giving myself extra.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A WRITER?

My father and uncles could turn a simple story into an evening’s entertainment. I inherited the habit and added paper. Now the stories can keep going even after somebody says, “We need to leave.”

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH WRITER’s BLOCK?

If one door won’t open, I try another room in the story. Sometimes the answer is hiding three chapters ahead. Patience helps… arguing with a blank page has never won me anything.

How do you balance writing with having a day job/family?

Family comes first. My characters can wait for me to solve their problems. The people in my house know where I live.

Do you base characters off of people you know?

I invent my characters, then borrow a little stubbornness here, a little charm there. If someone recognizes themselves, I remind them that several people in this family have that same attitude.

Who is your Favorite Author?

Walter Mosley. His work helped draw me toward detective fiction and mysteries. He opened the door, and I walked in asking questions. Naturally, everybody had an alibi.