Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is your most cherished memory?
My best memories are of my High School days at Will Rogers HS. It was truly life changing for me. I realize most people feel great about HS days, but there was something unusual about that school and it was almost as if it took some of his sprit., I mean the man Will Rogers, and his sprit was offered to the students. Saying to us, what do you want to make out of your life? It was trilling.
What was your biggest dream as a child? Did it ever come true?
I wanted to sing. I loved singing and yes, it came true. No, I never got famous or anything like that, but everywhere I lived I was able to sing. And even at my age now I sing professionally and love entertaining people.
Do you remember the first book you picked up to read? What was it about?
Yes, we had no TV or movies in an island in the Philippines where I flew helicopters. I had to read so I started with cop books like Joseph Wambaugh’s Onion Field. That got me started.
Do you read historical fiction? What do you like about it?
Yes I do. It gives a person a look at people who lived before us and what they were like and how they reacted to important historical events.
How much is too much practice (for a vocalist)?
I’m no voice teacher but you reach a point when your getting horse and for me that takes a lot of singing. I do gigs up to three hours and I’m a solo act but that’s pushing it so I drink a lot of hot tea during breaks.
When did you decide to join the army?
I worked at a TV station in Tulsa and got caught up in the whole Vietnam situation. I truly felt it was the right thing to do. And, by the way, I still feel that way. We made a lot of mistakes in that war, and lacked a clear goal, but I believe in our country and felt it was my duty.
Having had the privilege of living in exciting locations, where did you enjoy living the most?
Great Question….So many exciting places and exciting times. Some were quite dangerous like being in Nicaragua just as the war started, being in Thailand during the Coup d’etat /massacre of 1976, a jungle camp in Burma, the wild wild west which was Russia in 1993 when it was first opened to the free world. There have been so many exciting times but my favorite was Newfoundland. Rugged, open country with wildlife and friendly people. Such an interesting place to live and work.
How did you come up with the plot of the adventure-filled drama novel, A Private Heaven"?
I wanted to write about our family immigrating to Canada and the adventures I encountered during those early years of bush piloting. I also wanted to tell the story of my brother, Marv and his life. His worst years in prison and what a likeable guy he was in spite of his dangerous ways.
Would a person who primarily reads non-fiction enjoy historical fiction?
Yes, I think so. This book is often called a Non-fiction Novel. Most of the story is true but the portions about my brother are in novel-form based his life.
What is your advice to grow a YouTube channel?
Wow, I have no advice on that. I have songs on YouTube and I have no idea how to get more views. That must be a science all of its own.
What challenges did you face while creating the character of the fifteen-year-old Matt, West Of Alva?
I wanted to make him likeable but with flawed to some degree. A city boy trying to make it on the farm. A boy that learns that you can help your self by helping others. He learns that when he helps the broken-down farmer in the story.
Are professional cameramen losing work due to smartphones and a decrease in shooting budgets?
Things seem to be picking up a lot in the movie and tv industry. As you know, I also do some acting (some might call it “hacked ing” on the side. Its so much fun at my age and there are parts for old guys like me. But I think the smartphones are mainly used for auditions and that’s pretty fun.
As a combat pilot, what would you say is the biggest weakness of the aircraft (fixed or rotary wing) you flew?
That’s easy; remember I flew helicopters in Vietnam. They were too loud. The huge two-bladed rotor system made the Huey so loud that the enemy could hear them coming from several miles away. By the time we got there the Viet Cong had already finished lunch, smoked a cigarette, and had their guns set up – waiting for us.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
I’m working on a screenplay adaption of A Private Heaven right now. After that I have a non-fiction novel I wish to write about teen age drug abuse-a parent’s worst nightmare.
What do you like the most about AllAuthor? Do you have any suggestions for the website?
AllAuthor is a great website and I love the way you have things broken down. Easy to navigate and fun to interact with other authors.
