Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a political science and history major who stopped just shot of a BA. I worked biefly in law enforcemnt and for many years in private security.
I currently have two published works and both are from Solstice Publishing. The Fate of Nations: FIRE Team Alpha Book One and the next in the FIRE Team Alpha series Blood and Treasure. I also have had several short stories published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Blood and Treasure, like all of the FIRE Team Alpha series, is based on my extrapolations of what history and current events might shape the future into. I draw heavily on history for my stories lines. The only thing new in life is the history that you don’t know.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I talk to myself when I’m working out dialog. I go as far as trying to make my voice different for each character. I had my family worried for while.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My all time favorite author is the great Robert Heinlein. My writing style is totally different from his, but I try to emulate his emphasis on the way human society had developed in the future. Heinlein always left the technological gizmos to be the backdrop of his science fiction stories and wrote about people.
What are you working on now?
I’m about thirty-thousand words into ‘Seventh”. Which will be the first i a urban fantasy series called ‘The Blessed Warriors’.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My promotion budget is extremely limited so I use several social media. Twitter seems to be the one that gets me the most attention, but I’m very active on my Facebook pages as well.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write! If you have story to tell and you have confidence in it, then sit down and write it. Worry about the whole publishing process after the manuscript is finished. Don’t let anyone distract you or tell you you can’t get that book written.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My answer to the above question is a paraphrasing of several well respected authors; including the aforementioned Robert Heinlein. It’s the advice that finally got me to write that first book after decades of crippling indecision.
What are you reading now?
Modern Bushido by Bohndi Sanders.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing ‘Seventh’ taking a break from witting for a week or so, and then diving into the research for the third FIRE Team Alpha book.
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?
My ‘Thomas Jefferson Reader’, ‘Heinlein’s ‘Expanded Universe’ and a couple of books on wilderness survival.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ray Chilensky Amazon Profile
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