Larry Hovick, general manager of the Midland, talks book writing and more in The Pitch‘s questionnaire

Name: Larry Hovick

Occupation: General manager, the Midland; writer

Hometown: Hayward, California

Current neighborhood: Olathe

What I do: I generally manage the Midland. I’m not an expert at anything. I have people who are. I know just enough about each department at a venue to be dangerous–slash–make suggestions. I asked for a manual or a job description while I generally managed Sandstone in the ’90s and then again when I moved indoors to Kemper Arena, but I’ve never had one. In my free time, I am an author. I write fiction. Maybe I’ll write a venue-general-manager textbook.

What’s your addiction? Writing and riding. I wake up thinking of an idea to change a scene or add some mystery or comedy to keep the audience engaged in my current book. I enjoy commuting to work on my motorcycle. I’ve found a scenic route to downtown. It’s an extra 10 miles each way, but it keeps me away from the angry, impatient “rush all day” drivers on Interstate 35.

What’s your game? College football, college basketball and the Chiefs. I grew up in the Bay Area, but I enjoy the passion that fans in Kansas City have for professional and college athletics.

What’s your drink? I’m a Bombay-and-tonic guy, but I’ve been drinking heart-healthy red wine.

Where’s dinner? Home. My wife loves to cook, and I enjoy eating what she prepares.

Finish this sentence: “Kansas City got it right when …” It renovated downtown. The convention center needed restaurants and entertainment within walking distance.

“Kansas City screwed up when …” It took its foot off the incentive gas and employers moved their headquarters to the suburbs.

“Kansas City needs …” More hotel rooms downtown.

“In five years, I’ll be …” At the lake, sipping a glass between paragraphs — OK, maybe pages.

“I’ve been known to binge-watch …” Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer in Two and a Half Men.

“I can’t stop listening to …” Tower of Power, Simply Red, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Tears for Fears, Swing Out Sister, the Tubes, Maroon 5, Michael Jackson.

“I just read …” The edited version of my second book. I will work on it over the holidays and release it in March or April 2015.

The best advice I ever got: Brevity is the best policy.

Worst advice: Fiction novels need to be 60,000–80,000 words — 180 degrees from the best advice I ever got.

My sidekick: My wife. She is my best friend.

My dating triumph/tragedy: When my wife said, “I do.”

My brush with fame: I have been in the concert business for more than 30 years, and I’ve met and worked with many superstars, such as Michael Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Page, Diana Ross, Elton John, Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake and many more.

My recent triumph: Getting my novel published. The Device is a tribute to my mom and dad.

Hovick is doing an author event at Rainy Day Books (2706 West 53rd Street, Fairway, rainydaybooks.com) Friday, December 12, at 7 p.m.