Six years ago my first book, the novel The Hunt for Bigfoot, was published. Last year I released my sixth published book, Forgotten Tales of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each of my books has to some extent dealt with controversial ideas—Bigfoot, UFOs, alternative history, and evolution. What attracts me to these ideas? It’s not so much the controversy as the mysteries. How did life emerge? Is Bigfoot real? Have history textbooks left out something? My books, whether fiction or nonfiction, give me an outlet for exploring the esoteric and flouting mainstream dogma whenever it needs flouting. Although discussing Bigfoot is one thing, exposing the flaws in evolution as I did in The Evolution Conspiracy proved quite another. Diehard evolutionists pounce on anyone who expresses the slightest doubt, assailing them with ridicule. So why bother?

I did it because, no matter what your beliefs, ridicule should never silence you. Diehard evolutionists use words as weapons in their war against dissent. I do the same, but for the opposite reason. Through my writing I encourage people to think for themselves and stand up for what they believe. The characters in my novels refuse to back down in the face of the worst personal attacks, even in the face of death. Fortunately, in The Evolution Conspiracy I wasn’t fighting for my life! Instead I battled for your right to see the evidence, all the evidence, and make up your own mind about evolution. My words served as weapons of empowerment. That’s why I became a writer, to uplift and encourage people. Well, that’s one of the reasons. The other is that I simply love the English language.

When I first considered writing a book criticizing evolution, I knew I’d be entering a war zone—and I don’t mean the science vs. faith debate. Diehard evolutionists attack anyone who expresses the slightest doubt about evolution, labeling every doubter a creationist as if that word were an insult. I believe in God but I’m not a creationist. Although the evidence mustered in support of evolution has failed to convince me, I proffer no alternative theory. I don’t need to, because the evidence can stand or fall on its own. What I find the most interesting is that when creationists or intelligent design advocates disagree with me they do so politely, sans name-calling (in fact a creationist, Paul Abramson, offered a nice blurb for my book). Diehard evolutionists, on the other hand, must resort to ridicule in their futile attempts to silence me. The fact that seems to soar over their heads is that I have made a career out of writing about controversial topics like Bigfoot and UFOs. Anything evolutionists throw at me I’ve heard before.

You might think paranormal researchers would support each other. Oh, if only! Bigfoot researchers argue with UFO researchers, Bigfoot researchers argue with each other, and UFO researchers argue with each other. Sometimes they argue about the meanings of words like paranormal; other times they argue about whether to capitalize the term Bigfoot. More serious arguments center around what qualifies as evidence, exactly what type of evidence is required to prove Bigfoot is a real animal species, and whether Bigfoot researchers should kill one to provide proof. My next book, Forbidden Bigfoot, will detail these controversies and include interviews with Bigfoot researchers who shared with me their candid thoughts on these topics. Controversies within a controversy—I’m letting myself in for a real verbal bloodbath now!

All kidding aside, what’s the lesson here? As a writer I recognize that words can exert great power—but only if we let them. Ignore ridicule and it loses its potency. Let only those words that inspire you have any power over you. Believe what is right for you, not what someone else tells you to think. In my books, I don’t force-feed ideas. I offer tidbits of knowledge that you can swallow or chuck in the trash as you see fit. Read, think, and decide for yourself.