The reasons were many. First and foremost, I love to write, but all of my published writing before MANDARIN YELLOW involved nonfiction — various aspects of American history.

Second, I love to read crime novels, especially hardboiled or noir mysteries. I also love reading crime novels that are set in modern times, but have an historical bent to them (such as The Poe Shadow  and The Dante Club, both by Matthew Pearl).

Third, I have been fascinated by Chinese culture and history for several decades, and from time-to-time have thought about writing something that would reflect my interest in this civilization.

Fourth, I collect vintage fountain pens, and have a small collection of Parker Pen Company’s Duofold fountain pens.

Finally, I occasionally love a challenge. In this case, the challenge of bucking the odds and writing (and finishing the writing of) my first novel.

So, with all these ingredients in play, I decided I would test myself by writing a mystery novel that would involve the theft of an historic fountain pen from a cultural/art exhibit held in Washington, DC, and would marry all the above ingredients in the persona of my protagonist, Socrates Cheng, an American of Chinese and Greek heritage.

But could I do it? The odds were heavily stacked against me. Most people talk about the novel they intend to write, but never sit down and do it. Others start their books, but never finish. Until I completed MANDARIN YELLOW I didn’t know if my manuscript would wind-up unfinished in the bottom drawer of my desk.

I’m pleased to say I completed MANDARIN YELLOW and it is up online in eBook and trade paperback formats at Amazon, Barnes & Nobel and Apple iBookstore.

So, now you tell me: What motivated you to write your first novel (not necessarily your first published novel)? I would love to hear from you.