FAQ List

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a few of the most common questions. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, just send me an e-mail on the Debrief page.

How did you get started in your writing career?

· I started as a young child…. Seriously! My essays were always wordier than other kids in my class… you be the judge how that worked out. I’ve always been an avid reader and I was on the school paper in High School and College. I fell back into writing for magazines when Lyn Freeman of Plane & Pilot gave me a shot.

Are the characters in your books people you have actually known?

· Well, let’s just say that the names and events were changed to protect the innocent. All the characters are composites… not any particular person. It’s easier that way… I get to make it up!

Do you network with other techno-thriller authors?

· I’m not sure what the secret handshake is....

How do you research your books?

· I read… a lot! Current stuff, past stuff… talk to folks. You name it-- I try to pick up on their perspective and how things work. That’s on a day-to-day basis. If I am pursuing a particular story line I’ll go after it… get into the field. I want you to know what it feels like to get mud on your boots!

How long does it take you to write a book?

· It takes 3-4 months to plan and research the book. Another 5-6 months to write the first draft and then another 3 months to re-write it. Getting it though the publishing process takes about as long! Now that I add it all up it sure takes a long time… I hope you like it!

How can I get my copies of your books autographed? Do you answer your fan mail?

· Look on my website for my book tour schedule and meet me in person. Or you can order one from the website. I’d rather meet you in person… I travel, so just ask the nearest bookstore to schedule a book signing!

· Of course I answer the mail… if you sign your shot!

What is your typical day like?

· I get up early… I mean early! And get started… that way when the afternoon rolls around I can head for the hangar and go flying!

What do you do to relax when you’re not writing?

· Do you mean when I’m not flying? I guess you could say I read… that is of course when I’m not doing chores around the house.

How has your military background influenced your writing?

· People say that you should write what you know. I’ve been studying the military and all aspects of war-fighting most of my life. You could say my background defines my writing.

What’s the scariest moment you ever had while flying?

· I’ve had three near mid-air collisions in fighters… but the scariest moment I ever had was 8 seconds with the Keymaster…. He knows what I’m talking about…. the next scariest was out on the desert during the first Gulf War. It’s better to be lucky than good!

How do you react to critical reviews of your work?

· If they have something to add I’ll listen and learn. You’ve got to have a thick skin to fly fighters… that doesn’t mean I won’t fight you for it<g>.

I can't believe you let Fakim get away in PMR. Will he be back in a future book?

· Everybody needs a good villain!

It's unusual for a techno-thriller author to include strong female characters. Why did you write about one?

· This is probably the easiest question. Flying fighters is about integrity, skill, performance… and hacking it. You have to be able to take criticism, acknowledge what you did wrong and FIX IT. The bottom line is mission accomplishment and survival. Gender does not decide who can hack it and who can’t … believe me, I know. Remember, there is no crying in fighters! Besides, I have three girls... they can be formidable.

What does the title of your book mean?

· What do you think<g>?

How did you get the idea for this book?

· I worked at it. It took several months to plan it and lots of discarded ideas.

Why did you decide to write a book, how long have you been writing?

· Another easy one. I’ve always wanted to write a book. When I was in college I wanted to write SciFi…. flying fighters and war-fighting is what I know. I’ve been writing since the early 70’s…. but I’ve only been paid for it relatively recently.

Have you written anything else?

· I write for Plane &Pilot and Pilot Journal Magazines. You can check out the articles on my webpage… or at the magazine stand. I think you’ll like my next book… most of the same characters come back…. some in unexpected ways.

What kinds of airplanes have you flown?

· For some reason I counted them up a few months ago. It was over 65 different airplanes… from fabric covered tail-draggers to the matchless Strike Eagle and even the Boeing 727 (for a transport it was actually fun to fly!).

Did you ever want to fly anything else besides fighters? What was the best thing about flying fighters?

· No, I pursued a military flying career specifically to fly fighters. What is the best thing about it… hummnn… if I had to limit it to one word I’d have to say control… what a thrill to be in control of that much power… and to do it right!

When did you start flying and how long have you been interested in it?

· I started flying with my Dad when I was a kid. He was a USMC flyer from WWII. We had a Stearman for almost as long as I can remember.

Why did you include the Army in your book?

· I’ve served with these guys…they’re cool! Seriously, they are a big part of the war-fighting business. One service cannot win anything without the others!

How did you decide the setting of the story?

· The war in Afghanistan was a good war. The pseudo wars of the 90’s I flew in weren’t….

What is up with all this callsign stuff… and what was your callsign?

· Flying fighters in the Air Force and using a callsign is a natural… it became firmly ensconced in USAF tradition during Vietnam. Now it is just natural… most guys I flew with I still don’t know their first names! My callsign is Gunny… I spent 8 years active and reserve in the USMC… to anyone in the Air Force if you were a Marine Sergeant you must have been a Gunny. I assure you that it had nothing to do with my attitude or approach to flying fighters! I’m just a furry little fuzzball…. Your best friend!

How many hours did you fly fighters and what decorations do you have?

· I’ve got about 1200 hours in the F-4 and just over 1700 in the F-15E. Not as many as I’d like by the way… but the USAF won’t let me fly anymore! As for decorations I’ll have to go look that up… I found a picture and I counted something like 25 different ones… the ones on top are 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Air Medals, 3 Commendation Medals, 2 Achievement Medals, and a couple of ‘I was’ there medals, oh and a couple of Outstanding unit Awards.