Discover the journey of how Midnight Multiplayer came to life

My desire to create the world of Midnight Multiplayer was inspired by playing over 5,000 video games in my lifetime (I know, it's a lot). There are plenty of novels based on video games, but the ones based in the real world can be counted on one hand. What if there was a fun, roller-coaster of a novel about one man's quest to compete in a video game tournament to pay off his gambling debt, all while trying to get his boss off his back and save his relationship?

Enter Midnight Multiplayer, my debut novel.

What started as a fun book for gamers grew into something that I never expected: an examination of my own life and what video games meant to me. The moments of joy I'll never forget. The friends I met along the way. Even how gaming affected my relationship with my wife. Powerful themes of love, friendship, neglect, and inspiration emerged.

My journey began with my first draft, which poured out of me. Along the way, I sharpened my skills by reading over thirty books on writing and another half dozen books on editing. A year later, my first draft was complete. But it was far from over.

Ernest Hemingway knew what he was talking about when he said, "The first draft of anything is shit." I've rewritten Midnight Multiplayer fourteen times (I have hundreds of written pages to prove it) before I was satisfied. Working with an amazing editor taught me that I had to "kill my darlings." It was difficult to cut over 20,000 words from my book, but the result is a tightly paced novel that rarely pauses for the reader to catch their breath.

This book has been a journey of discovery. I wrote a book for gamers, but quickly realized that non-gamers can find plenty of value in reading a book about one man's pursuit to try and become the person he wants to be.

I put my book out there. Without fear. Without shame. But with a whole lot of authenticity. I wanted to write something that would inspire people to find their voice and share it with the world. Being true to yourself is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves.

I wrote what was inside of me and shared it with the world. Now it's up to you, the reader, to come along for the ride.