What is your book Dockyard Dog about?
This is the story of a British Royal Navy officer badly injured in a fight with deserters who needs to prove he can continue to serve as an intelligence officer for Captain Horatio Nelson in desperate struggles against French and American spies.
What was the initial spark for Dockyard Dog - a scene, a character or a historical event?
I love the Caribbean and its history. The entire period from the start of the American War of Independence through to the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 is fascinating. The British Royal Navy were heavily involved in the Caribbean in key events of the era. After reading several naval fiction series by other authors I was hooked to the point I wanted the challenge of doing the same. However, these authors have already done an excellent of job of portraying life at sea with the Royal Navy and I wanted to write about elements not covered by others. Given that I also like to read spy fiction, the spark was an idea to create a primarily land based officer serving in an intelligence capacity. The choice to base Evan Ross in Antigua was easy, for it has a rich history and I knew Horatio Nelson served there when he was young.
What is the most curious fact about the 18th century that you came across while researching?
There are plenty of curious facts about the 18th century Caribbbean, but what struck me most was how pervasive slavery truly was. The image most people likely have is of slaves confined to working on sugar plantations, an illusion which I shared before diving into my research. In fact, many were forced to serve their masters in myriad different ways. If money could be made providing a needed service or product, slaves were being used to make it happen. This fact was the inspiration for a tavern called The Flying Fish Inn, where slaves ran the operation and the female characters provided additional services to men in bed for a fee.
If you had to spend a week in your book - which character would you spend the most time with (and who would you tend to avoid)?
I would love to have a time machine to take me back to spend a week with Captain Horatio Nelson. He had his flaws, as do we all, but this man personifies what leadership is all about as far as I am concerned. We could use more like him in today's world.
The character I would most certainly avoid is plantation owner John Roberts. I detest slavery. The fact that forms of it still exist in today's world appalls me.
What was it about the period after the American Revolutionary War that particularly appealed to you to set your story there?
The entire rich history of this beautiful part of the world in that era. The profits from Caribbean sugar plantations were vital to several nations and the intrigues that stemmed from efforts to keep those profits flowing provided plenty of material for me.
Was there a moment while writing when you were particularly emotionally moved?
I have had several such moments. I can safely suggest many, but not all, have come during scenes involving Horatio Nelson. There is one such scene in Dockyard Dog, where Nelson inspires devotion in Lieutenant Ross. By now it is likely obvious I believe this British Royal Navy hero is worthy of having his statue raised in London's Trafalgar Square.
How did you research everyday life in Antigua in 1784 - and what details were particularly important to you?
My research for every historical fiction book I write starts at the local library. I usually come home with at least a half-dozen history books covering the time period and locations I am interested in. Using this base I generally then search for reputable websites with more information. A good example of that would be The Nelson Society site, which has plenty of great information about this British hero. I do also use Wikipedia on occasion, although I am very careful about doing so. If I can corroborate something on Wikipedia with another reputable source I will consider using whatever bit of information I find there.
As for details I strive to maintain a high level balance. I try to include just enough historical detail to make the story believable and interesting, without being overwhelming. Making the reader feel they are reading a non-fiction history book constitutes a failure. Finding any small detail that helps to give an air of reality and lets the reader fully experience a scene in their mind is like gold to me. These sometimes come from history books and sometimes from my own experience. For example, in the opening scene of Dockyard Dog Lieutenant Ross climbs to the top of the mast well over a hundred feet up, which sways back and forth. When I was much younger I worked for a time on construction of airport communication towers of a similar height and size as a mast. I can assure you these structures definitely sway at the top!
You write several series - how do you switch between the worlds of the Evan Ross series and, for example, your children's book series?
When I start a project I stick with it, whatever it may be. I find it best to immerse myself fully and stay the course.
What is your favorite book?
The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway. I have read this book at least two dozen times and maybe more. There are no flaws in this book. Absolutely brilliant use of language and a simple, but compelling story. This book is the gold standard for authors seeking to understand what the maxim 'omit needless words' is truly all about.
What are you currently writing?
I anticipate finishing work on The Sugar Winds, the third and final book in The Owen Spence Series in June or July 2025. Next up in the queue is Stick Bugs In School, which is the third and final children's book in The Stick Bug Stories. I wrote the first two books several years ago. My problem was The Evan Ross Series appeared in my head and was so attractive I simply had to take a little, roughly ten year detour from the children's books to write about Evan Ross! I know Stick Bugs In School will be fun to finally write, for I have not forgotten how much I loved writing the first two books.
