For those who insist on actual details...

Born in Perth Amboy, NJ to parents who were also born in Perth Amboy, NJ. Yes, Perth Amboy is an actual place and not just a punchline. And if you treat it as such, I’ll feel the need to give you an attitude adjustment.

Raised from age 4 in Bernardsville, NJ – a very different economic reality to ‘Amboy. No attitude adjustment necessary.

Home state chip on one shoulder and general love for anyone from a place that gets a bad rap—Staten Island, Cleveland, anywhere in Texas, Belgium...

Formally educated publicly despite a history of Catholic school in the family, which probably explains the journey to a private Catholic University on the Main Line of Philadelphia.

Practical education was the Long Red Line of Bernards Distance Running. Long story. I’ll write about it some day. Short version – training 7 days a week – racing national class events – Schoolboy All American twice.

Looped it at the local country club from age 13 through adulthood. Learned more about dealing with people and personalities than any 100 books could teach.

Beat reporter on staff for a variety of smallish towns in New Jersey.

Turned to the dark side for a glimpse into advertising and marketing copywriting where a fairly decent living was made.

Why writing, for God’s sake? Why not, say, investment banking? Or so my parents may have asked over the years. Tough roll of the genetic dice – I’m a storyteller. Can’t do much about it now.

Commitment to a good story. Good writers write every day. Not always well, but 80% of success is showing up, said Woody Allen. And I try to show up to work hard and create something satisfying for my readers every day. Wherever they might be.

Inspiration is a phantom chased away by perspiration. While good writing comes along every so often, great writing requires inspiration, chance and fate. Some of the greatest lines aren't even recognized by the person who wrote them. Greatness in fiction, like greatness in anything, is a wonderfully enjoyable mystery.