Joey, tell us how you found this group. How did you feel about finding us, and what does this community of writers mean to you?

Altie found me at another writing site that never really got off the ground. She told me about the SSW (it had just begun) was better. And it really was. I loved it from the begining. The first story I read was Mohan's about a tree. I was hooked. I had never been in a writers' group before and this was extremely helpful. I have become a much better writer since being here. At least I hope I'm better. I sure learned about the use of commas among other things!

What do you think about our new home in comparison to our old home at The Short Story Workshop, what are some of the advantages and disadvantages to the new site?

I just previewed it and it's amazing how much better it looks and so much easier to navigate! I love the new home. Bring on the writers! Oh, the pretty colours!

How do you feel your experiences growing up in Kenya have helped or hindered your writing?

I think they've really helped since alot of people like my Kenyan stories. I treasure my experiences there. I have now lived in the USA longer than in Kenya, but I still 'see' every tree, path, stream, and cow back in Kenya. Of course it's all different now but I have the memories.

You have a strong voice for your characters that are women, why do you think this is?

I'm in the wrong body??
I spent most of my youth with my mother more than my father. I think I learned a lot from Mom about how women can be strong and intelligent. I have plenty of respect for women and I despise men who mistreat them.

Who or what influenced you to begin writing?

I think after I read Dr. Seuss and Winnie The Pooh, I wanted to write. But after I read my father's book, "Captured By Raiders", about a hundred times, I definitely knew I wanted to write. At age 13, I wrote my first sentence: "Thin, long, red spears of light were piercing the sky; the sun was setting." It took me weeks of proudly reading it over and over before I wrote another word!

What are some of your biggest challenges in writing?

Convincing myself that my stories are worth anything at all. I always look at others works and think my own pretty much sucks! So I always think I'm wasting my time writing. Most of the time I write because I want to know what happens to my characters! So I write for me. Also, the English language is tough - any language is hard and I know English better than my vernacular. Names are a challenge also. I can never think of the right names for my characters.

We all experience the dreaded "writer's block" at one point or another..... how do you handle this?

If I knew how to handle that I'd have a pile of manuscripts. I get inspired when I go to the movies and watch the previews. Music helps, some classical, heavy metal, African and Celine Dion!

What was the last piece that you wrote?

MISSIONARY is the last piece I'm working on. I hope I can have it in soon. It's the continuing story of Musombi and Nanguti and the missionaries who come to their home. I'm also working on a crime story, TYRONE about the search for a young boy's killer. Then I'll revisit my friend PUNXIE!

Have you had anything publlished, and what? What are some of the challenges to this?

Well, my father had a small magazine in Kenya and he published several of my short stories. I think an early version of Mr. Death was split in two. The readers were anxious for the second part. I was never paid and wasn't even given a copy of the magazine!

My collection of short stories were accepted by a major publishing house in Kenya, but when I asked for a contract, they faded away. The editor was very good at telling me what he didn't like and what he liked. I was truly surprised that he had some wonderful things to say about some of my stories.

What are your hobbies?

Do writers have hobbies? All the time is spent on writing and reading. I like computers and music and movies, but those aren't hobbies. Then again, neither is sex, so no hobbies.

What is your ultimate idea of success in writing?

Having sex with groupies? No that's rock and roll. Making it to Oprah's list? Hmm. Ultimate is having three books simultanously on the bestseller list. I don't know if I can handle one! But seriously, just having my book in print and walking into a bookstore and seeing someone buy it. that's ultimate success. (Hey folks, remember this IS Joey! ... you didn't REALLY think he could get through a whole interview and not mention sex did you?)