What inspired you to write Hostile: An Urban Tragedy?

HOSTILE is, in essence, a testimonial an intelligent look at the street life, my mental motivations, decisions and the consequences and repercussions of those decisions. It is neither a glorification nor is it a knock, but rather a true account of my personal journey, triumphs and losses. Ultimately, in a day and age overrun by social media images and urban myths, I hope to let my mistakes be the mistakes of the youth. Giving the youth a true, uncut account of what many find on the wrong side of the law, incarceration, isolation, abandonment by family and friends allows them the information to make informed decisions.

Give us an interesting fun fact about your book?

HOSTILE is a collection of my memories, was actually written and sent home one chapter at a time from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (prison) hidden in letters to my younger brother. Upon my release, after being held in suspended animation for almost four years, my brother gave me a 3 ring binder with all the letters in it which a decade later became HOSTILE.

Tell everyone about your Beauty & Brains Challenge?

In an era where generation X is being led blindly in circles by social media, music and movies it has become critical to ‘break the cycle’. The Beauty and Brains challenge was created to actively champion the fight against illiteracy. It spotlights positive female role models for the youth and elevates and celebrates strong, educated, successful females. These new role models are asked to read a paragraph out loud, tape it and post it tagging HOSTILE BOOK. The role models are encouraged to state who they are and any organization they represent.

What helped you get where you are today and what steps did you take?

Belief in self, belief in a higher calling and having a critical message that needed to get out got me where I am today. Self-publishing was a blessing, a nightmare and an eternal education of David and Goliath type proportions. The abridged version reads research your target market, set your marketing plan and execute it knowing that it may not catch overnight. Stay strong and focused and eventually you can turn your dreams into reality.

Any upcoming projects coming up that you would like to share with readers?

HOSTILE 2: HOMECOMING is set for release in late summer/early fall 2021. I have a new podcast in the works as well as a few other major projects that I won’t speak on just yet for fear of jinxing the blessings on deck.

What activities brought you joy and made you feel alive as a child?

I was an avid sports addict playing baseball, football, basketball, running Junior Olympics track, as well as martial arts. My parents bred championship Dobermans in the 70’s, I have loved and handled dogs since my earliest memories and continue to do so even today.

What smell brings back great memories?  

The sound of the wind brings back amazing memories and also seems to soothe my soul.  On a bicycle, on a motorcycle, walking on the beach, riding in my truck with the windows down, or sitting on a horse in a green Texas meadow, the sound of the wind has always been magical to me.

If you could stay one age for the rest of your life, what age would it be?  

To be determined, I would say my earliest memories at 8 or 9 years old without a care in the world happily running wild, playing sports and being a child.  Still, I would hope that my best days are still ahead of me.  Changing society, saving the lives of the youth, enjoying the wisdom and knowledge that time and experience brings.

If money and time were not factors, what new skill would you love to learn?  

I think carpentry is an eloquent skill that transcends time and space.  Beautiful pieces of wood passed down through generations, telling stories of times long past each unique unto itself.

What are the top three places you need to see before you die?  

My bucket list top three include Rio De Janeiro, Fiji and Mecca. 

Does the idea of death scare you or motivate you?  

Death is a constant from the time we take our first breath.  I lived at odds with the law for so long that an early exit from this world seemed inevitable.  Now at almost 49 years old, I have been living on borrowed time for almost three decades.  I will continue to advocate, inspire and innovate until my dying days as the voice of those so often overlooked and ignored.

How can everyone keep in contact with you on social media?  

You can follow the HOSTILE MOVEMENT on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @hostilebook as well at www.hostilebook.com.