Mark D. Crutcher
Interviewed by: Lauretta Pierce
Q. Who is Mark D. Crutcher?
A. I’m a proud father of two lovely children. I believe in old fashion family values. I’m an outdoor type of guy he loves to workout, play basketball, fish and ride bikes to name a few. My musical interest includes Jazz, R&B, and Blues. My favorite artist right now is Kem. I like to read all types of books ranging from a good drama to a good suspense thriller. I’m currently reading Honeymoon by James Patterson. When I want to remove myself from the pressure of life, I can be found outside of my home sitting lakeside reading a good book with a glass of cognac next to me.
A. About four years ago, I went through the heartbreaking experience of being left at the altar. That experience caused me to take a closer look at my life and reflect on matters that had brought me to that point. About four years ago, I began to organize my thoughts and put them onto paper. It was at that point that I started writing my first book “CHECKMATE”.
A. I began to look at my relationships and the relationships of others around me and I saw characteristics of a well thought out game. I saw patterns of behavior that likened to a game of strategy…such as chess. And when I began to structure my writing to support the “game” theory, the ideas just began to flow. It is from this concept that some relationships are played out like a chess game that the title “Checkmate: the games men play” emerged.
A. I have to admit I have been all those men at some point in my life. To sum it up I have to say those men represent the progressive stages in my life when I played the game.
A. That will be hard to do since I have not spoken with my ex-fiancé to completely close out that chapter in my life. I can only speculate at this point, what her reason might have been. I look at is like this she made the best decision for herself at the particular time.
A. I’ve been writing all my life but it wasn’t until this happen that I put the rest of my life on hold to pen my first book
A. My second book “A living Man in a Dead Place” will be out soon. I going to pick up with Devon McNeal’s story in Checkmate and further explain why he turns out to be the type of guy he is and that things aren’t always what they seem
A. Most people like to write in quiet places but that isn’t conducive for me. I prefer to lock myself in a room with my favorite music playing at a high volume level. It’s at this point, I tune the music out and my creative side flourishes at the keyboard.
A. Considering what I have been through, I feel I should have a wall built around me with a sign that reads "heart no longer available," hanging on the outside. No, but really, I have no bitterness towards women. Actually, I still have dreams of being married. I’ve grown from that experience and accepted the truth that I wasn’t the man for her.
A. Outside of the tricks, I spell out in Checkmate. I hope the readers take away from my book the message that when you’re face with life’s disappointments, God uses the situation as a way of getting your attention. A lot of the time relationships, work, children and other things distract us, making it hard to listen. But trust me when I say that when He wants your attention, He knows how to get it. We must learn to listen and trust.
"CHECKMATE"
March 21, 2006
Q. What inspired you to write “CHECKMATE?”
Q. How did you come about the title?
Q. Which of the player’s from Derrick Jones, Michael Young and Devon McNeil, best describe the game you played?
Q. Will you share with the readers the reason you were left standing at the alter?
Q. How long have you been writing?
Q. Are you currently working on another novel?
Q. What type of atmosphere do you require to write?
Q. How do you now view your relationships with women?
Q. What message would you like readers to receive from reading CHECKMATE?