Author Chuck Barrett

Chuck Barrett, a Florida native, grew up in Panama City. A graduate of Auburn University, Barrett is a retired air traffic controller of over 26 years experience and veteran commercial pilot and flight instructor spanning over three decades of flight experience. In his flying career, he flew mostly air ambulance with the occasional charter and business flights thrown in the mix.

Barrett’s first writing experience was drafting labor agreements. He started writing fiction in 1998 in his spare time. His first novel, The Savannah Project, was released in March 2010. This thriller interweaves his aviation expertise, a long-held passion for writing and a keen sense of suspense. In 2011, The Savannah Project became an award-winning novel, winning awards in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award, International Book Awards, and Reader View’s Reviewer’s Choice Awards.

He resides in Northeast Florida with his wife, Debi.  If you would like to know more about Chuck and his work please visit http://chuckbarrettbooks.com
What is the current project you are working on?

I am currently working on the third in the series with protagonist Jake Pendleton. By the close of the final scene in The Savannah Project, Jake was left in a state of confusion. His life and nearly everything about it had just changed. The Toymaker, slated for release on February 14, 2012, picks up where The Savannah Project left off. Jake is still struggling until he meets his new mentor—then things really take off. Jake's character grows in The Toymaker as the story progresses so now, for my work-in-progress, Jake is his own man and ready to get caught up in another tale of mystery and intrigue.


How do you define success?

 Success is what you make of it. I've sold thousands of copies of The Savannah Project in less than two years. That means thousands of people have bought and read something I wrote and I continue to get tons of emails from people who say they're now going to buy and read everything I write. I see that as being successful. If your idea of being successful is totally focused on money, then your robbing yourself of something vital…and you may end up robbing your readers. Of course, it is nice when the money comes as well.


How do you handle rejection?

 Why do auto manufactures make so many different model cars? Because everybody has different tastes. Same thing with readers. I write thrillers, a lot of people don't like thrillers…and that's okay. I had emails and reviews that were awful. Fortunately the overwhelming majority of my emails and reviews are positive. If the bad reviews and emails are tastefully done, then maybe there is something they said that can help me improve my writing. If it's just a rant, I treat it that way. Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion.


Did you always want to be a writer?

 No. It never even crossed my mind until after I was 40, then it just hit me. At first, I just talked about it until a good friend persistently encouraged me to do it. And finally I did…it took a long time to crank out that first book, but now it's out there and number 2 is about to be and number 3 will be available by October of 2012.

What is the best thing about being one?

 Becoming totally engrossed in a world of murder, mystery, and mayhem. I never know where I'll be next.

What is the worst thing about being one?

 Becoming totally engrossed in a world of murder, mystery, and mayhem. It's amazing how many things get neglected when I'm writing a new story. It's hard not to become lost in that fascinating new adventure.


What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Counting my work-in-progress, 3. I have no education or formal training in writing; it has all been basically self-taught. I do have experience in technical writing, mostly labor agreements though. After I started writing The Savannah Project, I realized I had a lot to learn, so I rewrote and rewrote and rewrote. Writing is a craft you can never be too good at. And it takes plenty of practice to learn the craft.


Who is your favorite author?

 I don't have a single favorite author but I have been influenced by the writings of so many in one way or another. I write what I like to read and that is thrillers, so the styles of different authors have influenced my style…to name just a few: Steve Berry, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, David Morrell, Lee Child, Brad Thor, Michael Connelly…the list could go on!


How has your life changed since you became writer?

It has put in front of so many wonderful people, readers and fellow authors alike. The interaction, whether through email, social media, or face-to-face, has been such a wonderful experience.


What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to be a writer?

 If you want to write, then write. Keep writing and don't listen to the naysayers. The more you write, the more you'll enjoy it and the better at it you'll become.


What do you like to do besides writing?

 Outdoorsy stuff! Hiking, fly-fishing, boating, and scuba diving are my favorites. And along with flying, I like to add a little of those things in my stories. For my work-in-progress, I had to take a quick online course in mountain climbing, so I'd have a clue what I was talking about. Now I'm going to have to really climb a mountain—it sound like fun.


Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a writer?

 I have been a commercial pilot and flight instructor for over 30 years. I was an air traffic controller, from which I am now retired, for 26 ½ years. Now I write full-time.


What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

 I tell you what I'll do here; I'll tell you about an old movie that influences my writing. It was a sleeper in the theaters but it was still a fast-paced spy thriller. No Way Out with Kevin Costner when he was very young. The twists were great and the action non-stop—at least it seemed that way back then because there had been nothing quite like. The predicament Costner found himself in was compelling and the end twist—awesome. As far as television is concerned, I don't watch a lot of it but I do like two programs—total opposites too—and that's NCIS and The Walking Dead. Weird, huh?


How would you describe the writing "scene" where you live?

 A dungeon! My wife and I picked an upstairs room that offered a gorgeous view of the lake to be our office. But the windows face south and if we don't keep the room darkening shades closed, the room turns into a furnace—I'm sweltering, the computers are overheating, and I have to turn on the a/c when it's cold outside. Not good planning on our parts. So the room is dark, can't see the outside, and I have stuff (research material for book) spread all around me. What a mess—HELP, I need an office makeover!


How has social media changed the publishing industry?

 In a world where publishers are all but completely cutting out advertising and marketing budgets for all authors except the biggies, the remainder have been forced to foot the bill to promote their own work. With social media, the bigger the following and the more the interaction with those followers can be turned into sales. Interact a lot and promote a little. It's almost like a pyramid scheme for promotion.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptations?

 We've all read the book that was better than the movie. We've seen where the book and movie diverged at some point and we felt cheated. So what! Authors and filmmakers are in the entertainment business. If an author sells the movie rights to a book it's still win-win. When the rights are sold—more money for the author by the sale of the rights. When the movie comes out, book sales rise and as a result—more money for the author. Who loses? If an author doesn't like what a filmmaker wants to do with the story, DON'T SELL THE MOVIE RIGHTS! I say bring on the offers.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Writing is not easy; at times it's down right hard. But when you see the final product, it's worth it tenfold. The biggest thing is don't quit. If you enjoy writing, then write.

For the readers out there, If you like thrillers—man, I have some stories for you. If you don't, that's okay too, because there are so many wonderful authors out there writing good stories. You're bound to find some excellent authors writing what you like to read.