GM: What inspires you to write.

John: I think it's the desire to be creative more than anything. Writing can be very cathartic for me as well. It's a chance for me to just throw an idea out there and see what happens. I also love to interact with the people that involvement in Delta Fleet has allowed me to meet. To a very great extent you are all my inspiration.

GM: In your pbem experience, what have you done that you consider your best creative work?

John: That's an easy one *grin*. I would have to say it was creating and running my own pbem. I ran a World of Darkness pbem for two years called Blood in the Water. I loved designing the city of Haven, the Machiavellian plots that often touch every being who exists in the WoD, the NPC's with their hidden and individual agendas...it was a great deal of work, but also a lot of fun.

GM: How would you describe yourself as a player?

John: I aim at being a thoughtful and fun person to hang around. It's not much fun to create a character who's entire goal is to alienate everyone around him. It's certainly not fun to be that kind of person in real life. I dislike power gamers and the 'ol hack n' slashers. It's not bad to have goals when you are gameing, just remember that most of the fun is in the journey.

GM: What PBEMS do you belong to and what characters do you play in them?

John: USS OLYMPIC - Lt. Cmdr Serin, Assistant GM

USS CHAMPION - Counselor T'Para (although she'll probably be retiring after this current adventure. I'm aiming to reincarnate as the new CSO)

HIDDEN LAND - Mats Kristensen

BLESSED BE - Zachary Ellington

LORD OF THE RINGS (FROM THE HOBBIT TO FELLOWSHIP)- Aneldor

HARD LUCK - Sito Jaxa - GM

GM: What are your standards of success as a player and GM?

John: The highest standard, I think, for both player and GM should be fun. If the GM isn't into the game, then the players suffer. Likewise if one or more players are causing uncontrolled havoc in the game, then the game will also suffer. If the game suffers, no one is having any fun at all. The other standard I have, is I like to have a feeling of being "present" in the game. I like to see it all unfolding like a movie or a good book in my head, with the actors and actresses. If I'm involved in a game to that extent then I'm a happy man :).

GM: How do you go about making important decisions affecting your character?

John: I try to put myself into their shoes. Obviously, I will never know what it feels like to be an el-aurien and to have lived through history, but I try to take my own knowledge and apply it to Serin. Likewise, if I care for someone in real life, it would be extremely difficult for me NOT to keep that from showing in my writing and interactions with that person. It's a little weird in that respect, because I try to make my characters different from my real life self. I also can't help injecting a little bit of my RL personality into them.

GM: What has been the most important person or event in your own self-development as a writer?

John: That's difficult to say. There have been so many people to offer support and encouragement. My mother had a great deal to do with it, as she taught me to read and the love of books before I even started school. I also appreciate the challenge and camaraderie every writer in Delta Fleet offers to me. You are all excellent!

GM: Why don't you simply tell us about you?

John: Me!? I'm boring *chuckles*. I am a Florida native, born and raised. I grew up in North Florida, just outside of Tallahassee along the gulf coast. I loved living by the beach, there's nothing like being lulled to sleep by the gentle swish of waves outside of your bedroom window. I loved to explore the swamps, coastline and salt marshes that occupied St. Marks Wildlife Preserve. My favorite occupation, at that age, was building forts and playing pirate. I think I've known that I'm gay for most of my life. I never liked playing the games my cousins played, never really had interest in a relationship with a girl. I dated in highschool, only because I was terrified of admitting my homosexuality. College was a BIG awakening for me. At 18, I finally admitted I was gay. I came out to my dearest friend Robyn, and actually experienced life for the first time being my own person. I worked my way through college at the firm of Blank, Rigsby and Meenan. They lobbied in the State Government, and I learned a great deal about politics and people. I volunteered my time at the Family Tree center as a gay youth counselor and PFLAG rep. After a while, and a few broken hearts, I decided it was time to leave home and strike out to Orlando. I lived in Orlando for 1 year, working for Disney and doing some modeling on the side. Missing the coast, and needing to find something more stable, I moved to Tampa, where I have lived for the past 5 years.

GM: What do you feel has been the most significant advancement in gay literature?

John: I think the most significant advancement would have to be the fact that it has become so mainstream. Pop culture has a voracious appetite, and the gay community has a love/hate relationship with it. On one hand it paints us as freaks, a lascivious and flippant sub-culture. On the other hand, it can also show that gay and lesbian couples are just as capable and normal as heterosexual couples. That we can build a life together, even raise kids.

GM: Any advice for anyone who might be new to a PBEM?

John: Ask questions, don't be afraid to jump in with both feet, talk to your GM, make friends AND (above all) HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

GM: Could you give us a sneak peak into any future concepts/ideas or changes we might be seeing in Lieutenant Commander Serin?

John: I defiantly look forward to seeing his relationship with Kon evolve (I love you Chris *kiss*). Serin has always been very traditional in his outlook. It will be good to see him open up more like Jaxton.