Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a chiropractor that served in the US Navy submarine force during the Vietnam War and currently am a pilot and volunteer in the US Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol with the rank of Lt. Colonel. I’ve written two books, Survive! Marooned on Planet Tau Ceti g, and a sequel, Survive! First Alien Contact.
There are many similarities between submarines and space craft. Both are self contained, travel in a very unforgiving medium, have to carry everything with them, (water and some oxygen being the exception on a submarine,) and are away from help on missions that may last for months at a time.
When I wrote my first book, I used the experiences that I learned onboard submarines, and the survival techniques from the Civil Air Patrol to make the story come alive. Of course, the second book continued the story line with most of the cast of characters from the first novel, and introduced another in the sequel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Survive! First Alien Contact. I read a lot of science fiction and the current thoughts of the possibility of life on other planets that may be similar to ours; what chances would there be for plant and animal life, and could there be intelligent life; what the planets would look like; would intelligent life be friendly or war-like. I used relationships and conflicts of countries on our own planet as seed for thought in the sequel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I write late at night when there are no distractions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are too many to list.
What are you working on now?
I just started the third book in the series. The tentative title is Survive! Inter-Galactic War! It depends upon fan support if I continue with the Survive! series or just make it a trilogy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use several methods. I love doing book signings. I have a few local book stores that I frequent. Since I’m still in practice, many of my patients look forward to the book in the series and purchase them from me directly.
My books can be purchased from most online book stores with http://www.barnesandnobel.com and http://www.amazon.com being the most active sellers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write about something that you know. Make the story come alive by having the characters tell the story in dialogue. Narrative should be used for background set up. It’s easy to get caught up in the story that you are trying to tell and “head-hop” between characters, so beware. The main thing is to enjoy what you are writing. If you enjoy the story, so will someone else.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep on writing. A little bit, even five hundred words can make a book in a month or so.
What are you reading now?
ARMS War for Eden
by Stephen Arseneault
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the third book in the series.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Books on space/time travel and alien conflict. I’d also probably take my books to re-read and get ideas of where I can take the story line.
Author Websites and Profiles
Charles Graham Website
Charles Graham Amazon Profile
Charles Graham’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile