A&RBC: How did you become a writer?
Tony: I began writing in 1990, after resigning from the military. I began writing by accident, or by fate. (My mother, aunt, sister, niece and nephew write, so it may run in my family). I kept having the same dreams over and over. After praying about them I believe the Holy Spirit told me to start writing, so I did. I hand wrote the first sixty pages in about two days. I was so full of the Spirit at the time that I couldn’t begin to tell you how it happened. It was before the computer was in every home. I couldn’t even type back then.
A&RBC: Where does your inspiration for your characters come from?
Tony: I do draw from my own experiences when I write and I have been studying the Bible for so long that my characters end up being people who I have taught bible studies over the years. I’m not an inspirational writer, as we have come to know the religious/genre, however the characters are emotionally inspiring. Some are from my childhood, others from my adult years. I place them all into the storyworld that I have created. My main character is usually a preacher/teacher commissioned by God to prepare the elect for the upcoming end time battle while in the meantime work as a beacon for bringing the elect out of darkness. My main character (in book II The Immortal Dancer/The Preparation) seems more like a heathen and tends to use the saying, “God chooses whom he will” to explain away his behavior. Of course in my storyworld the main characters are forced to do God’s will. As much as they love God they are extremely reluctant while remaining totally loyal to fulfilling their duty. Despite the weakness of the flesh, which at times they don’t even attempt to resist, they remain compelled to drive on to the end.
A&RBC: What are you hoping readers take from your book?
Tony: I try not to suggest what readers should to take from my stories. And I certainly don’t want to tell them what to think. However provoking them to think is the reason I write the way I do. Which I do without sounding preachy/sermony. Since the main characters in my storyworld are warrior bible teachers the main goal of my novel is to teach about the second coming of Christ. Within the pages are many, many answers to questions that every spiritually hungry follower and non-follower of Christ should ask and have answers to. I do my best to make sure each lesson is easy, fun, revealing enough so that it seems to come alive with emotion, passion, and humor. When I read over, and while I was still writing my current release, I began realizing that the wages for sin is death and while writing about the crucifixion of Christ I really felt it. The amount of detail in those chapters made me realize how much he suffered for me.
A&RBC: If you were to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be?
Tony: I would like to write a book for teens. I’ve noticed the trend of vampire/witch/demon books and television shows and how evil is now combated by evil. Writers for secular television and books go to great lengths disregarding what is truly Good over Evil. It appears that evil is now the new good. I would like to write something that inspires and entertains teens, totally fiction, but how the word of God and his commands the Jesus can over come evil instantly as if by miracles.
A&RBC: Most writers have a process or method for writing their books, what is yours?
Tony: I’ve only written two books and my hat is off to those who can truly write, and write well. I however am not a ‘can write about anything type of writer’ but wish I were. I am writing a lot of articles these days so I tend to pick a current hot topic and relate it to the second coming of Christ or some other lesson from the scriptures.
Tony: I’ve only written two books and my hat is off to those who can truly write, and write well. I however am not a ‘can write about anything type of writer’ but wish I were. I am writing a lot of articles these days so I tend to pick a current hot topic and relate it to the second coming of Christ or some other lesson from the scriptures.
A&RBC: What is your favorite genre of books?
Tony: I don’t read much but when I do, more then likely I will read fiction. I’m more of a tv watcher. However right now I’m reading “In the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair/Astronaut, An American Hero, by Carl S. McNair.
A&RBC: Are you an avid or occasional reader?
Tony: Occasional, on vacation reader.
A&RBC: What are two things you want your readers to know about you?
Tony: I am a former U.S. Army Ranger, and have been a professional ballroom dancer for over 15 years.
A&RBC: If you could interview one of your favorite authors, who would it be? Why?
Tony: I would interview my mother, Mary Macauley. She succeeded when all odds were against her, earned a masters degree and raised a family as a single parent.
A&RBC: What is or was your dream job?
Tony: As a child I wanted to be a priest, musician, and all around hero. Looking back on my life I tend to tell myself that I should have stuck with this or with that but then realize everything I did up to this point in my life was just exercise and that maybe one day I’ll be able to write about it.
A&RBC: What new projects are you working on?
Tony: I’m mostly working on getting my articles published, my new story Immortal Dancer and I plan to help Barrack Obama get re-elected.
A&RBC: Where can readers find you?
Tony: I’m hoping to attend the Atlanta Book Expo and Decatur Book Fair, both in September. ABA Atlanta under my pop up canopy signing books.
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