In 1982, Alford received a series of obscene phone calls.  Each time, he cussed the caller profusely.  Apparently, this excited his devotee, spurring more solicitations.  Finally, Alford drove to meet his admirer — by aiming the car at him.  Alford has attempted murder, has burned down a house, and has written poetry.

Currently, he teaches creative writing at the University of South Alabama.