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What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Fortune Favors the Bold?
The original idea for the series, “War of the Submarine,” hit me while I was a student at the Naval War College. A friend and I started spit balling about how World War III would start and what kind of war it would be, and my immediate response was: “World War I was the war of the battleship and World War II was the war of the aircraft carrier, but World War III will be the war of the submarine.” For “Fortune Favors the Bold” in particular, I was inspired by the experience of serving under a very poor captain while in the navy. I frequently wondered how terribly he’d do in combat, and what kind of captain would replace him. Eventually, I flipped that idea under the sea and into a future war, complete with an anxiety-ridden medal of honor winner who never asked to be a hero.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Fortune Favors the Bold, what would they be?
“This is Me,” from “The Greatest Showman.”
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Tossup between military thrillers and epic fantasy, and yes, I write both.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
David Weber, “Toll of Honor;” C.S. Forester “The Happy Return” (rereading); Deborah Harkness, “A Discovery of Witches;” James D. Hornfischer, “Who Can Hold The Sea;” Dr. Robert Ballard, “Into the Deep;” and Brook Allen, “Antonius: Son of Rome.”
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The scene where the crew of USS Bluefish cannot find the firing key was such absolute fun to write. I didn’t expect that to happen until I was there writing it, and then the idea hit me and just flat out ran away with the story. It was great.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Sometimes I need to change my writing location to get myself going, so my local Panera Bread is a favorite place to go. I also have a writing mug that has joking titles for every one of fifteen drafts a writer goes through.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“I will try.”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
The best leaders aren’t afraid to give a damn.
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