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I"d Like to Apologize…
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Mon, May 17, 2010
To my nephew. Ben. Yesterday, he was wearing a pair of jeans and I made fun of him for wearing them. I told him that no man in his right mind would ever wear a pair of jeans like that. They were girl-jeans all the way. I could not understand what possessed him to wear such a thing.
So why the apology?
Audio for ‘The Mountain Between Us.’
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Mon, May 17, 2010
If you’d like to listen to the first seven or eight minutes of Mountain, click the link. It’s a strange sensation to listen to someone you don’t know read a story that started as a whisper on the back side of your brain. But, it’s also reaaaaaaaallllllly cool. Enjoy.
Video: Themes of The Mountain Between Us
Posted in Interviews on Sun, May 16, 2010
Here’s an excerpt of me discussing the various themes in ”The Mountain Between Us”.
”The Mountain Between Us” comes out in a few days (June 1st) and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Please don’t forget to support your local bookshop as well.
Video: Survival Stories
Posted in Interviews on Fri, May 14, 2010
A few months ago, I flew to New York and spent some time in front of the camera talking about my latest book, ”The Mountain Between Us”. The creative people at Random House then cut that video into seven segments--leaving the messy parts on the cutting room floor. (Which is good.) Over the next two weeks, (in the run up to the release) we’re releasing a video every few days. There’s some fun stuff in here. Here’s an excerpt of me discussing survival stories. One note: When I sat down, and they turned on that video camera, somebody I never saw before and haven’t seen since, shoved about five pounds of cotton in my mouth. If I appear to have a nervous tick, licking my lips, etc., just know I’m fighting a cotton ball the size of the building behind me. Enjoy.
”The Mountain Between Us” comes out in a few days (June 1st) and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Please don’t forget to support your local bookshop as well.
Book Tour 2010 Update
Posted in Events on Thu, May 06, 2010
Check my events calendar for updated tour dates and locations. Lots of good stuff on there. More to come.
This Was A First For Me…
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Mon, April 19, 2010
I swear, I was minding my own business. I had just finished a race with my boys and was eating a piece of pizza and laughing with Christy and the kids, when a voice spoke behind me. “Love your books.” Now, put this in context. I don’t really see myself as a public figure. I thought it was probably somebody I knew toying with me…
Commercial for “The Mountain Between Us”
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Fri, April 16, 2010
Book Tour 2010 Requests?
Posted in Events on Fri, March 26, 2010
I don’t know if this will actually fly with my publicist, but I have an idea…we are in the middle of planning my book tour starting in June and running ‘til whenever. If you have a suggestion or a request—as to a location, post it here and I’ll forward to my publicist. At this point, anything’s game. We have lots of requests from bookstores around the country, but I was wondering what you all thought.
Disclaimer: If I don’t get to your city, don’t blame me. My publicist makes all destination decisions. Don’t shoot the messenger. I know I just threw my publicist under the bus but she’s really cool and she’d like to know what you think, too. So, any requests please? (This will be embarrassing if no one responds.)
‘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.