What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Darkness, Light, and Fire (The Life and Times of Gunnery Sergeant Jackson Mason Book 2)?
Good question. I wrote the initial episode outlines and storyboard in 1995-96. I was in the thick of my early years in the Fire, Rescue, EMS, just getting in my first couple of years as the lead Paramedic tech on the rescue. I was also involved in other training and educational programs, including specialized rescues, fire officer training, and so forth. I needed to dedicate my time to those things. I packed everything up, did the poor man’s copyright, and set it aside for a time. After I retired, I pulled it back out again with a lot more life experience to put into the story.
If there is any message buried within this story, it is that life can be hard, and quitting is not the solution. Everybody faces challenges, frustrations, and heartbreak. Quitting is not the answer; it is only surrendering to your disappointment. Life goes on with or without you. It doesn’t adapt to you; you must adapt, improvise, and overcome it best you can, or face endless unhappiness. You're going to lose a few battles, pick yourself up, dust off, and get back in there. This is the second book of the four-book series; the other two manuscripts are written and awaiting refinement and the editorial pathway.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Darkness, Light, and Fire (The Life and Times of Gunnery Sergeant Jackson Mason Book 2), what would they be?
Yes, certainly. It’s more for two characters during a scene of revelation, and surrender to their feelings, Elwha Isha and Jack, in “Love, Trust, and Badassery.” Invocation From the Sound Track/Album Ascendance by Audiomachine. Jack: Watch Me Bleed – Team Fearless Motivation.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
World History (ancient through modern), Political History, Military History, and stories (ancient through modern), Classic science fiction (speculative, hard science fiction), Folklore fiction, What if Fiction, Science/technical works, Astronomy, and associated basic physics.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Reread Stanley Karnow’s VIETNAM: A History, The First Complete Account of Vietnam at War; Will Irwin’s The Jedburghs; Alex Kershaw’s The Longest Winter; Doug Melville’s Invisible Generals; Ian W. Toll’s Twilight of the Gods; and a small collection of modern and classic science fiction.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Wow! I really can’t say that I have a particular favorite one. Most deal with the relationships and interactions between the lead and supporting characters. Possibly the scene of the Galactic Accords Court hearing on the matter of the New Terrans’ highly advanced war craft. The craft they used against Earth Core during “The Great War of Independence” in the first book, The Quest For Freedom. It’s the scene played out during the actual testimonies and reactions of the Earth Core representative. All the way to the slipping out the back way part. It, however, does leave some unfinished business that comes back to haunt a couple of more times…tragically.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I like to listen to all sorts of music while writing. Don’t really have any particular paraphernalia I keep around. I mostly put on the headphones to drown out any distractions and listen to a variety of Epic Music tracks or classic rock, and sometimes smooth Jazz.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“Never go to bed mad at the ones you love. Life’s uncaring and random fate could strip them from you by tomorrow morning. Time only moves forward, never backward. The past is gone; let go of the petty things and move on to a better future. The present is but a fleeting moment, and the future will always be moving forward with or without you.”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
That there’s another episode coming! Seriously, there are a few points IMHO memory worthy, but each individual reader will have their view of it and determine this, not me.
