It all began when I was five or six years old and saw a boy urinating on a tree. I remember being outrageously jealous. Not because he had something down there that I didn't, but rather because he could pee standing up and I couldn't. I know this for a fact because I tried, and trust me, it wasn't easy having to explain to my mother why my shorts and socks were wet when I went in from the neighborhood playground.
I never tried to go on a tree again, but I did grow up playing with matchbox cars instead of Barbie dolls. By the time adolescence rolled around, I could outrun and out-climb all the boys my age. So when the idea for SOUTHERN FATALITY came to me, I decided to relive my tomboy days by writing from the first person male point of view.
A mystery, tough guy action adventure, it was so much fun to write as I tried to think and talk and fight like a guy. But then something strange happened. The character woke me up in the middle of the night and told me she was, in fact, a woman. So I gave the main character a sex change and did a complete rewrite. SOUTHERN FATALITY took on a whole new life.
Who is the main character, Jersey Barnes? Take the toughest, most hardcore former Marine you can imagine. Then stuff him inside the body of a 5' 8" female with a figure to die for and a knockout smile. Give her a penchant for quality lingerie and a quick wit. Oh, and don't forget to strap on her weapon of choice—a .45 caliber Glock. Then place her in the historic water town setting of Wilmington, North Carolina. Add a wacky father, an ex-cop, who wasn't around at all when she was growing up, but now shows up on her doorstep like a stray cat. And then there's her best friend from high school and business partner, a Lumbee Indian who is both spiritual and gorgeous as all get out.
I never tried to go on a tree again, but I did grow up playing with matchbox cars instead of Barbie dolls. By the time adolescence rolled around, I could outrun and out-climb all the boys my age. So when the idea for SOUTHERN FATALITY came to me, I decided to relive my tomboy days by writing from the first person male point of view.
A mystery, tough guy action adventure, it was so much fun to write as I tried to think and talk and fight like a guy. But then something strange happened. The character woke me up in the middle of the night and told me she was, in fact, a woman. So I gave the main character a sex change and did a complete rewrite. SOUTHERN FATALITY took on a whole new life.
Who is the main character, Jersey Barnes? Take the toughest, most hardcore former Marine you can imagine. Then stuff him inside the body of a 5' 8" female with a figure to die for and a knockout smile. Give her a penchant for quality lingerie and a quick wit. Oh, and don't forget to strap on her weapon of choice—a .45 caliber Glock. Then place her in the historic water town setting of Wilmington, North Carolina. Add a wacky father, an ex-cop, who wasn't around at all when she was growing up, but now shows up on her doorstep like a stray cat. And then there's her best friend from high school and business partner, a Lumbee Indian who is both spiritual and gorgeous as all get out.
The first in a new mystery adventure series, SOUTHERN FATALITY was just released this week, so Jersey Barnes is now making her debut. I hope that folks will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Oh, and a final thought. Please take a moment to think of a fond or a humorous memory from your childhood and share it with a friend. I think there's still a little kid in all of us... a great thing, since everyone should laugh more and play more!
