Interview with Roland McLean, Author of Sams and Night Carrier Landings: Night Cat Night Trap

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Sams and Night Carrier Landings: Night Cat Night Trap?

As a fighter pilot flying the F8 in Vietnam, I was fortunate to fly during a period of relative calm. However, my instructors in the F8 had gone through the roughest air combat known to man. I wanted readers to understand what it was like to be a Navy Fighter pilot during war.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Sams and Night Carrier Landings: Night Cat Night Trap, what would they be?

Doors: “Light my Fire”

John Denver: “Country Roads”

Rolling Stones: “Can’t Get No (Satisfaction)”

Johnny Cash: “Ring of Fire”

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read a lot of war novels. I also like a good mystery, political thrillers, and nonfiction history. For writing, I am stuck on war. I am currently writing a political thriller/war novel about a civil war started in the U.S. by Chinese intelligence.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I am reading The Silver Waterfall, a historical fiction account of the Midway battle. The Danger by Dick Francis, and On a Night of a Thousand Stars about the dirty war in Argentina.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene in the opening chapter of a senior pilot making an approach and night carrier landing.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I like music while I write. I also fill up notebooks about ideas often when I am on a trip.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I like the Nike “Just Do It!” Besides writing, I have done over fifty triathlons, worked in more than fifty different countries and speak fluent Spanish and Portuguese.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

How much of a team a fighter squadron in war is.

Roland McLean is the author of the new book Sams and Night Carrier Landings: Night Cat Night Trap

Connect with Roland McLean

Buy The Book