JQM PRESENTS A BLOG POST INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR William Staub
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF:
I come from a solid military background having given the US Army 52 years of my life. I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since childhood and was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I traveled the world during my military career. I am happily married to my wife of 50+ years; we have four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. I am now retired and residing in St Augustine, Florida with my wife, where I have more time to write than ever before. I have written six novels, three children’s books, and have only been fortunately enough to publish in the vanity press—so far. I finally decided to write what I know best which is Mormon action/thrillers, the first of which is The Grace of God.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?
I feel like I have stories in my head/heart which readers would enjoy. I want to tell my stories in a way that does not resort to using foul language, sex, or gratuitous violence in the process of story telling.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS? WHY?
Mark Greaney, Lee Child, David Baldacci, and Clive Cussler. At first glance, you might think these authors all write the same kinds of books or at least the same genre. However, I enjoy each of them for different reasons. Mark Greaney writes the Gray Man series and his character can always find a way to get his job done. It is a dirty job and the gray man has to go into all kinds of nasty places. But he always come out of it successful. Lee Chid created Jack Reacher as a strong and unbeatable man who is willing to help the underdogs. David Baldacci has a wonderful variety of characters and he writes several series which are very successful. And last of all, I enjoy reading Clive Cussler’s books because he does not frequently use foul language and his characters are always positive, intelligent, and strong.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS? WHY?
My favorite genre is male action/adventure. I always to enjoy reading the first books of new series, and getting introduced to new characters and how they got to be so strong, intelligent, and resourceful.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE LITERARY CHARACTERS? WHY?
Years ago I was intrigued by Ton Clancy’s Jack Ryan. He had a background with which I could identify and I enjoyed how he advanced with each book. But after he became the head of the CIA, I stopped reading the books. Now, I enjoy Lee Child’s Jack Reacher and JT Baier’s Matthew Riker. Both of them take time to help the underdog and usually end up getting into something that needs to be destroyed for its wickedness, like human trafficking or counterfeiting on a major scale.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR FELLOW AUTHORS AND/OR ASPIRING AUTHORS?
If you want to write, then read the kind of books you want to write. Get familiar with the stories and characters so you can develop similar characters and tell their story from your heart. Write, write, and write some more. Then develop a thick skin and let others read your material so they can tell you how to improve. If you are afraid of criticism, you will never make it in the current commercial market.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH POTENTIAL READERS?
Choose the kinds of books you read carefully and digest them; highlight important passages, and cross reference clues you think are important so you can learn how to create that kind of story.This crazy world in which we live already has all the sleazy material it needs for people looking for that kind of book. You can be better than that. Write stories that uplift your readers and make them feel good about your characters and the activities in which they find themselves. Tell stories that will touch the hearts and make them look forward to your next book before you have even written it.
WHERE CAN WE GO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR LITERARY WORKS?
author-william-staub.com/blog
James Quinlan Meservy - Author 