FRANK ZAFIRO

Author: Frank Zafiro, http://frankzafiro.com/

With an Army and military intelligence background, along with more than 13 years experience as a police officer, you'd think that Pacific Northwest writer Frank Zafiro would want to write about something besides crime, right?

Not necessarily.

"I don't think I choose the stories, I really think that they choose me," he says. "I think about ideas and sit down to write stories and these are the tales that come out. I don't have a lot of control over it. I believe that our experiences do shape the stories we choose (or are chosen) to tell."

While his tales often center on life in the police force, he says they also allow him to give readers a glimpse behind the badge.

"In my crime stories, I try to humanize the cop--show him or her as a real person instead of a stereotype," he says. "At the same time, some of the stories are pure fantasy--far from the reality of police work, but more of a dark adventure. In some stories, I might even manage to work some of both aspects into the tapestry."

Having put pen to paper since he was 11, Frank found reading and writing not only an escape, but a goal he could work towards.

"I guess everyone whines about a tough childhood and mine was no picnic, either," he admits. "I was probably a pretty good candidate to go 'bad', so I guess beating that very real possibility would be the obstacle. I had a dream and intermediate goals. A lack of focus can sometimes be a deadly adversary, so having a goal is important."

Frank has since published more than 40 short stories, with 2006 being his most prolific, and successful, year yet. He's had stories published in Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine; online at Mysterical-e, Amazon Shorts, Mouth Full of Bullets, and Crime and Suspense; and in anthologies such as The EX Factor and Seven by Seven.

In his latest story, "Three Days of Christmas" in By the Chimney with Care, Detective Katie McLeod is searching for a "bah-humbug" burglar who stole the Christmas presents. His novel, Under A Raging Moon, first in his police series set in the fictional River City and which centers on police efforts to stop a violent robber, also was published this year by Wolfmont Publishing.

Despite his recent successes, Frank still gets his share of rejections in what can be a "roller coaster" business. It hasn't stopped him from writing and submitting, though.

"…Most of the time the rejections serve to strengthen my resolve," he says. "It is pretty much a compulsion. Writing is a lonely business at times and I think you have to be careful not to let the highs take you too high or the lows take you too low. No matter what, there's always another story to be told."

Frank is still planning that next story and the one after that. He still has his eyes on the goal: "I don't think I could quit if I wanted to and I certainly don't want to. I enjoy creating the stories and sharing them. There is a beautiful connection between writer and reader that occurs when a story works. It is perfectly magical."

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Contributor - "By the Chimney with Care," - Wolfmont Publishing

Favorite Quote:

“They got the Santa ones I hid under my bed, too,” Joetta said.
A curse rose to Ridgeway's lips, but he suppressed it. Instead, he gritted his teeth, sighed and muttered, “Stealing from kids.”

- Excerpt from "Three Days of Christmas" in By the Chimney With Care, A Holiday Crime Anthology , Wolfmont Publishing

Memorable Writing or Other Moment:

"I really identified with the loneliness that Katie feels at the end of the story. Ironically, she and I may be spending Christmas in very much the same way this year. Thus, when I wrote it, I suppose I sympathized with the character. When I got a copy of the book and re-read it on the printed page, I think I started to empathize with her. It's funny how characters take on a life of their own and become almost real. It's kind of weird, too."

I write...

"Because I am a writer. Writing is a craft and it is a journey. The craft can be improved by reading, writing and listening to the critiques. The journey never ends."

Famous Last Words:

"Be nice to your fellow writers. Every one of them is on your side, or should be. Writing is not a zero-sum game, so let's help each other out. Sure, some mathematician could probably show us all how there are only so many contracts from so many publishers, blah, blah, blah. Good writing will get published. Support each other."