You Gotta Die Sometime follows a salesman at a convention accused of murder who is now on the run while also being the target for murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I wanted to tell a story set during the Depression era about a guy struggling, like so many others back then, to find his purpose in the world and keep a roof over his head. He goes to the convention to receive an award and even though the award isn’t much, it gives him a sense of accomplishment and pride. Things turn upside down when his complicated past catches up with him.

Howard is an interesting character that readers are drawn to. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

I wanted him to be an Everyman who maneuvers his way through a series of dramatic events, some brought on by man and some by nature. I wanted to stray away from making him all good. In fact, most of his good deeds are fueled by a need to counter bad decisions and make some sort of amends with the world.

How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?

I start every novel organically but start outlining and mapping things out as I get deeper into it. This means going back and forth sometimes, rewriting and editing until it all comes together. The book starts off with him almost getting murdered. When I sat down to write it, like him, I had no idea why or who was trying to kill him.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

My next book is a spin-off from my first novel, Machine of War. There was a detective in that book who I really enjoyed, so I’m giving him his own story. The Bum Leg should be available in November.

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/29/his-complicated-past/