Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a 70 year old retired oil company executive. I was born and raised in rural Louisiana and have degrees in Chemical Engineering and Law from Louisiana State University. I have worked in the oil industry in Texas, Louisiana and the Republic of Yemen. I now live in Asheville, North Carolina.
What is your book about?
It is an action/adventure set mostly in the country of Yemen. Parts of the back story take place in the Cajun country of southwest Louisiana. Basically, Bert Franks, a former Marine and Gulf War veteran, is no stranger to hazardous situations. As a troubleshooter for Vermilion Oil Company, he applies his well-honed survival skills to the cutthroat business of navigating the cultural minefields of Yemen, where Vermilion operates a profitable oilfield concession. His duties include everything from hobnobbing with government officials to negotiating contracts—whatever it takes to smooth Vermilion Oil Company's way. When negotiations for an important contract turn sour, everything seems to falls apart at once. Bert finds himself at the epicenter of a chain of events that results in a shakeup of the Yemen Oil Ministry, the nationalization and seizure of Vermilion's assets, and his ejection from Yemen as persona non grata. Along the way his girlfriend Gretchen disappears, while his brother-in-law Sidney, the guiding hand of Vermilion since its inception, dies back in the States in an apparent suicide. As soon as he can get back to Yemen, Bert begins searching for Gretchen—immediately stepping into a snake pit of political intrigue, government corruption, and international terrorism. But it's all a day's work for Bert, and he refuses to let little things like betrayal and attempts on his life stand in his way.
How long did it take you to write?
I started working on a novel about twenty five years ago, but never got much done. After I retired a few years ago I looked over my earlier efforts and got back to work. I finished a shorter novel, In Search of the Yellow Dog, in about three months last year and even while that title was in edit I started on Death in the Empty Quarter. I finished my first draft in about four months.
What inspired you to write this novel?
I took some of my own experiences and embellished them in light of events currently happening in the Middle East.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
As far back as high school in the 1950s I wanted to write. A friend and I wrote a few science fiction short stories and submitted them to some of the SciFi periodicals. None were ever accepted. I started on novels from time to time over the next forty years, but never followed through. Only after retiring was I able to devote sufficient time and energy to such an undertaking.
What part of writing do you struggle with? Character, plot, description or dialogue?
At different times different aspects will cause me to struggle. I guess I have more difficulty with description. Particularly describing a scene sufficiently to put the reader there. Fortunately, I have a great editor who can give me assistance with this aspect of the novel.
What made you decide on self-publishing?
I submitted In Search of the Yellow Dog to twenty six agencies - only one asked for additional information and after submitting what she requested even she rejected me. I researched self publishing, and decided to go that route. I first published on Lulu, but then found CreateSpace suited me better. With Death in the Empty Quarter I did not even try to go through the “traditional” publishing route.
Did you have a professional editor?
Yes, I used Floyd Largent of Storm Writing and Editing Services. His contributions cannot be overstated. He understood my story and corrected my writing without destroying my voice.
Do you edit as you write or wait until your book is finished?
I pretty much edit as I go – I’ll write a few thousand words then study what I have written. I’ll re-write paragraphs, pages or chapters several times during the course of writing.
Are you currently working on any projects?
I have two works in progress. I’m doing a prequel to In Search of the Yellow Dog. It’s really in the early stages. I’m also working on a novel set in rural Louisiana in the 1930s and 1940s. It combines romance and action/adventure in World War II.
Any advice for new authors?
The only way to get it done is to JUST DO IT, and do it with enthusiasm.
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what type of music?
No – I really want no distractions.
Best time of day to write?
Any time, but I think some of my best work has come in the middle of the night when I wake up with some ideas. I’ll get out of bed at 3:00 a.m. when an idea strikes and will work for hours.
Top 3 authors?
James Lee Burke (the Dave Robichaux series)
Collin Dexter (Inspector Morse series)
Lewis Grizzard (some of the best humor you can find)
Although that’s my top three, I also read a lot of British cozy mysteries, particularly by Robert Barnard and Dick Francis.
Top 3 novels of all time?
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
1984 by George Orwell
Top 3 movies of all time?
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935 version with Clark Gable)
Twelve O’Clock High with Gregory Peck
The Big Sleep with Humphrey Bogart
What do you read the most? Fiction or non-fiction?
Probably about half and half. Just recently read Ghost Soldiers a non-fiction account of the rescue of POWs held by the Japanese in World War II and am currently about half way through Heat Rises by Richard Castle (I know that Richard Castle is a fictitious character in the abc series Castle.)
Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
It’s available in both. I published a paperback version through CreateSpace which is available on Amazon, and have ebooks available through Amazon’s Kindle and on Smashwords.
Where can your readers contact you?
They can email me directly at bluetiger1941 at gmail dot com.
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