Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former Army officer and am now retired from private business. I began writing on retirement in 2012 and have one light, family oriented book published in 2013 (Honey, We Shoulda’ Bought the Ark) and am must just now releasing my first fiction novel, Thou Shall Not Take Our Land. I also have a blog site where I write commentaries almost daily about politics, love of country, my Christian faith and nature and animals. I am currently working on another one entitled A Blogger Shares His Faith, a compilation of many of my best blogs about my strong Christian belief. I see writing as a way to express what I believe in a way which others might enjoy, while also keeping me mentally alert and focused as I approach the latter years of my life which are in the not-too-distant future. We are never too old to do things we love as long as we stay keen and healthy.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Thou Shall Not Take Our Land was inspired by my four years of work on a community project designed to keep large corporate developments from smothering the last vestiges of Old Florida. The experience taught me that citizens have to get involved and fight for what they believe in or they will be overrun by those who seek power and financial gain at the expense of others. And I have found the experience also an eye opener when I study the growth of the push for a New World Order which is in reality likely to be a One World Government at some point if not directly challenged. Hopefully my book, while a fictional work about the future, can be used as a means of waking up America to the assault that national sovereignty is facing in a sometimes upside down world.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When an idea hits me, I hit the computer and put it on paper. Sometimes I wake up with it in the middle of the night or just about at anytime or anywhere. I carry a notebook with me to write it down because some of the best thoughts are lost if we don’t capture them when fresh.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The biggest influences in the form of the written word are the Bible and the works of the Framers of the Constitution. One of my favorite was Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, written in the language of his time but presenting such a wonderful picture of the man and his humor. I also enjoy Tom Clancy’s works, Hemingway and even Upton Sinclair, among others.
What are you working on now?
I will finish a Blogger Shares His Faith and then look toward additional volumes to Thou Shall Not Take Our land. The book being released Monday is Volume 2: It Begins. Volumes 2 and 3 will be War Erupts and the Aftermath, respectively, unless – and this is a big unless – I modify the thrust somewhat. However they turn out, however, they will be part of the John Argyles series, representing the name of the main character in the series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use my website, Twitter and Facebook, emails and letters to many different organization which I think might find the story of interest. I am in the process of working to set up some interviews on several independent radio networks. I will use as many avenues as I can conceivably find.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up, work hard and look for creative ways to meet your goals. Sometimes you’ll succeed, other times you’ll fail, but if you stay on course you might just surprise yourself.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get working early in the day while you are fresh. You’ll find out just how creative you can be.
What are you reading now?
Thomas Sowell’s Black Rednecks and White Liberals.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the works discussed earlier in this interview by this time next year.
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?
The Holy Bible, Sir Walter Raleigh’s History of the World and a couple of military books (too many to pick on the spot). I love Civil War history as well as the Revolutionary War. We can learn so much from what created the land that we have today.
Author Websites and Profiles
James Dick Website
James Dick Amazon Profile