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‘Ask Me’ No. 4
Posted in Ask Charles on Fri, March 26, 2010
A few of the questions I’ve received lately:
Q: You have said before that you are an introvert. How does that affect you as a professional writer?
A: I’m pretty happy sitting right here. Coming out of my shell is a purposeful act. Interacting in public takes energy. Note: that’s not bad and it’s not like I dread it, not at all, it just zaps me. Writing charges my batteries. Public stuff (appearances) drains them. It took me a while to figure this out…
‘Ask Charles’ No. 3
Posted in Ask Charles on Tue, March 16, 2010
Q: What process do you take to come up with the right name for your characters?
Good question. I’m not sure I have a process for naming characters. I’m always paying attention to people’s names. Especially when signing books. I can usually pick up a few while on tour. More than anything, I listen to what a name sounds like. And sometimes how it’s spelled. But, I don’t really have a hard and fast process. It’s sort of stumbling in the dark sort of thing. Its not unheard of for me to get to the end of a book, turn around and completely rename a character.
Q: Charles, what/who do YOU read when you’re in the mood for a good fiction book?
Anything Vince Flynn. I’m a pretty big Grisham fan. The Testament may be my favorite. Or, A Time to Kill. Although the first chapter is Testament may be my favorite all time first chapter ever. Wish I’d written it. Clive Cussler takes me places I like to go. Stephen Hunter is another. Conroy, of course. For the most part, I read non-fiction. Krakauer. Powers. Ambrose. Sides. I can’t explain that, I just do. Right now, I’m reading The Hobbit to the boys. I read it when I was twelve. Quickly followed by The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. I remember reading the Two Towers in a day and a half – which was unheard of for me. Still is. I fell in love with Tolkien and middle earth long before Jackson put it on screen. (And he did an awesome job in my opinion. Can’t wait to see The Hobbit.) Anyway, they love it. Mesmerized. A lot of fun for me. Sometimes, I’ll go back and read Louis Lamour novels that I’ve read a few times. I love a good western. My favorite book is Robinson Crusoe. Followed closely by Huck Finn. My favorite writer is King David – he says what my heart needs to hear…and say.
Q: How long did you research locations when writing “When Crickets Cry”?
About a year. Maybe 18 months if you include the writing.
Q: Do you still live in Jacksonville, Florida and are you a native Floridian?
Yes. Born and raised. Still here. I’m a 4th generation Jacksonvillian.
Q: What book that you have written has touched you the most?
It surprises folks when I say this but I cried when writing all of them. I know, I know… But, I did. If I don’t experience it emotionally, why in the world should you? If it doesn’t touch me, how will it ever touch you? I don’t pick one book as touching me the most, but there are scenes in each that get to me. You can probably guess them. Same ones that get to you I suppose.
The Latest Rives’ism
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Sat, March 13, 2010
My dad’s from Texas, I’ve spent a good bit of time out there, I’d like to think part of me is from there and I am one of those folks who believes The Alamo is hallowed ground. A few months ago, I returned from a research trip out there where I bought a coffee mug at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, TX. It’s now my favorite mug. It says ‘Texas Rangers’ on one side and on the other is a rather famous quote from Davy Crockett. The quote is drawn from a speech Crockett made in his re-election campaign for Congress. He lost and was killed year later at the Alamo. Around my house, Davy Crockett is held up on a pedastal, as is any man who died at the Alamo. One problem: on more than one occasion guys like Travis, Bowie, Houston and Crockett said things I might not want my first grader reading—or repeating. Yet. To be honest, I didn’t know Rives was paying attention to the fine print on the side of my coffee mug.
You see where this is going?
‘Ask Charles’ No. 2
Posted in Ask Charles on Fri, March 12, 2010
Q: Which of my books is my favorite?
A: I get asked this question alot. The short answer is, I don’t have a favorite. You might as well line up our three sons and ask me who I love the most. I love them all the same, equally and for different reasons. There are scenes in various books that I’m proud of, specific moments, I look at and think, ‘that’s some good stuff,’ but not one book. I’ve said this alot but it remains true: when I’ve finished every book, I’ve been able to lay it down and honestly say, ‘that’s the best I can do.’ It’s not like I held back somewhere. Each has required all of me to write it. Books do that by default. (At least mine do.) I am either all in or I’m not. Can’t be half in the computer screen and half out. Can’t be half pregnant. That said, this latest one is pretty good. Course, I’ve said that same thing everytime a book has released.
‘Ask Charles’ No. 1
Posted in Ask Charles on Fri, March 12, 2010
Q: Do I work out of the house?
A: Sort of. Our house doesn’t have a garage. Because of that, we bought a portable, metal shed and had it dropped in the back corner of our yard when we moved in. Christy liked the aesthetics of it so much that she quickly surrounded it with shrubs and bushes which now conceal it quite nicely. Anyway, we stored all the normal garage stuff in there. I.e., Christmas decoration boxes, flashing reindeer, ski clothes, kayaks, lawnmowers, backpack blower, etc. I took a closet in the house and turned it into my office…
Bluffed and Poofed
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Thu, March 11, 2010
Rives (7) has his own way of communicating how he feels. If he’s eaten too much, he’ll put his hand on his stomach and say, “I’m bluffed.” Translation: stuffed. If he’s tired, then he says he’s “Poofed.” Trans: pooped, or tired.
Last night he was looking a little run down. I said, “How you feeling?”
He said, “I’m bloofed.”
I looked at Christy. “What’s that mean?”
‘It means he’s bluffed and poofed but too tired and full to say both.”
;-)
And yes, this will definitely find its way into a book. It’s too good.
More Rules For Writers…
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Thu, March 11, 2010
A friend sent this to me. An article from the UK. More rules for writers. Some are quite good. Some I can do without. Some I’d like to add to my own. Especially, Leonard. It’s difficult to argue with him. He can pace a story like nobody’s business. As can King. Oddly enough, their rules sound a lot alike. Enjoy.
The Truth Is…
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Fri, March 05, 2010
I forgot my kids at school yesterday. Completely. At 3:40 p.m., almost an hour after they were released, the school tracked me down here in my office, (I wear headphones to drown out the noise). The lady said, “Ummm…Mr. Martin, we have your sons in the office.”
I jumped up. Oh Crap! Son of a…
Actually,I think I thought something else but you get the picture. “I’ll be right there.” Christy was off doing some stuff with her sister on a much-needed break. She’d left me with strict instructions. Even texted me a little after noon to remind me. This one was ALL me.
Monster Trucks
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Tue, March 02, 2010
Saturday, I took the boys to the Monster Truck show here in Jax. One of the cooler things I’ve ever witnessed. Sort of like NASCAR on some serious steroids. We actually witnessed history. Saw this happen. The first time in Monster truck competition it’s ever been done. The place went berzerk!
What I listen to when I’m working…
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Mon, March 01, 2010
...changes frequently. I listen to alot of different music when I’m working. My playlists are varied and eclectic. I’m pretty big on acoustic stuff. For a year or so, I’ve been listening to these guys. They put out something new called ’The Outsiders.’ Good stuff.