Last week I was asked to answer a few questions about my work
in progress by a pilot/author Harrison Jones. What an honor to involved in this blog hop. But first... please meet Harrison.
Harrison Jones is not just any pilot/author. Harrison defines the meaning
of success—From Mechanic to pilot,
he has achieved his dreams. In 1967
he took flying lessons and obtained his commercial license with multi-engine
and instrument ratings. It wasn’t long until he became a flight instructor and
taught for over ten years. In 1972 he accepted a position with an airline as a
pilot ground school instructor and taught aircraft systems until 1976, when he
accepted a pilot position with the company. And now he writes novels. I’ve just order
both his books and they are coming soon. I will keep you posted and we will hear more soon.
This amazing man can be found at HarrisonJones.org
So what is my Next Big Thing?
Here you go....
What is the working title of your book?
Flight ForSafety. This is the second of a three book
series. Flight For Control is the first. Flight For Survival will be the
next. And one day, we will see
‘Fight’ For Safety the truth behind the fiction of all three novels. That will
happen around retirement.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Imagine being called into the Chief Pilots’ office
for the first time in a 27-year airline career because you were writing about
safety issues of the most horrendous accident of all times. Imagine sitting at
the table, heads talking about social media, face-book, blogging, flight
attendants, union contract…and your mind drifts to irony of the meeting. Your
eyebrows knit and eyes narrow. Your mind whirls. Is this for real? And then you think, “What if…”
What genre does your book fall under?
Definitely Aviation Thriller/ Mystery. Some of the
ladies who have picked it might want to call it women’s fiction/mystery. And yet with
the same book a pilot said, “If Tom Clancy wrote about airliners, this would be
it.” So I’m thinking I have
accomplished my goal—writing something for everyone. Being a female pilot, what
should we expect?
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Flight For Control is in motion toward film. I’m
writing the screenplay in January. But the same characters will carry through
to Flight For Safety. Note: If you’re a member of the airline industry and want
to be an extra in the flight for control movie, email FlightForControlTheMovie@gmail.com and leave me a message.
Back to casting: John Travolta would be Captain Bill
Jacobs. Bill’s wife, NTSB investigator Kathryn, would have to be Julianne Moore.
The infamous Darby would be played by Amy Adams. Yes, I have given this a great
deal of though.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
One sentence? I thought one page was a challenge. Here we
go:
Pacific Air Lines’ crash has sent a message to the world—Pilots
don’t know how to fly their planes—unfortunately behind this reality hides corruption
and greed which has turned each flight into a game
of Russian roulette.
If you plan to publish, will your book be self-published or published traditionally?
I am going to maintain my relationship with Jet Star
publishing. For those of you who don’t know, this is my publishing company. We are just getting started, but one day
Jet Star will be the producer of thrillers and mysteries, historical fiction, children,
motivation and young adult books, too.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft of Flight For Safety took me 6
months. I’m on edit three. Flight For Control was 4 months, and editing took
two years. I’m writing smarter
this time. I hope.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Oh wow—this is a tough one. I’m thinking this book
would be a cross between Wallstreet and the Insider—Aviation executives, and
the insider speaking the truth.
I have a unique plot, appealing to men and women, pilots
and not. While my stories are wrapped around the airline industry, they are
powerful stories. A little sex. Flying. Mystery. Truth behind the fiction. I’ve
got it all.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Flight For
Safety was
inspired by the AF 447 crash, and the passengers who count on their pilots to
know how to fly their planes when the automation breaks. Why did this happen? Read on...
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
That one day Flight For Safety will come out in the
non-fiction realm as ‘Fight’ For Safety. Until then, the reader can only
imagine which part(s) of this, and all my novels, are real.
There is a method to my madness. Entertain, and
create awareness.
Flight For Control—The essence of the Industry and
the impact on mental health.
Flight For Safety—The impact of automation and proficiency.
Flight For Survival—How long has it been since your
pilots have flown?
The Next Big Thing:
I have a special surprise. I have two next big
things to shout about.
Syd Blue
and
Cap'n Aux
Cap'n Aux, is a
captain for a major airline who I met on line. But, our paths almost
crossed at one of my previous airlines. We were hired within months of
each other back in the 80's. Imagine that. I just
received his book in the mail, The Last Bush Pilots, and all I can say is wow… this is a major fun book!
Spoiler
alert: Captain Aux will be my Friday Flyer tomorrow. So I’m going to make you
come back and read all about him then. And more on his fabulous book. For now, put Cap'n Aux blog on your to read list and watch for his Next Big Thing.
XOX Karlene
