Write what you know goes the old adage, so Decatur author Marc E. Hopkins, who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) wrote a mystery, “Secrets of ‘The Pit,’ ” about an author with the same plight.

The Boy Scout leader and father of three applied his personal experience to create a character, Eugene Cooper, who attempts to maintain his idea of normalcy.

A wrong turn of events leads to the mystery, which ensnares him in betrayal.

A relationship develops that he never wanted, but soon can’t live without.

The disorder produces irrational fears that ultimately lead to a mind-boggling conclusion.

Hopkins’ children include Garrett, in his 20s, and two teenage daughters, Gabby and Gretchen.

He has been scoutmaster of Decatur Troop 170 since 2000 — during which time 13 Scouts achieved Eagle rank.

Hopkins said he likes to carry a notebook with him everywhere he goes in case something inspires him. He surprised himself when he started writing poetry 12 years ago.

Ten years ago, he knew he wanted to write a book.

But not until 2008, after losing his caretaker job of 19 years with the Edward Lowe Foundation, did his dream become reality with a Southwestern Michigan College creative writing class taught by Dowagiac author Michael Collins.

Collins made it clear he was willing to help those who wanted to write fiction, so Hopkins went home and churned out 40 raw pages of his debut novel, “What Killed Jonathon Harnish?”

Collins read his prose and directed him to go home and finish his novel.

A month later, it was done. A year later, it was published, followed by “Perspective: The Portrayal of Esther Joy White” in a female voice.

He hasn’t looked back and is working on his fourth novel.

“Everything I write is about small towns,” he said. “Decatur. Glenwood. Cassopolis. Dowagiac. In the first book, the biggest city the main character went to was Kalamazoo, and he drove to Kentucky. Jonathon goes to school at SMC. Andrews University is in the second book. I use small towns because I like them.”

Hopkins, who attended culinary school to become a chef, thrives on variety, having at various times also been engaged in professional wrestling and work as an EMT.

“Secrets of ‘The Pit’ “ is an ebook found on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

Find more information about Marc at his Facebook Fan Page
http://www.facebook.com/MarcEHopkins and follow him on Twitter
@MarcEHopkins.