Ask the Author: Michael Wikan
Answered Questions (11)
Michael Wikan
There have been more than 5 times that occurrences convinced me that something beyond coincidence or good luck is operating in my life. The unexplainable always requires answers, especially when noted by others; my unexplainable events have always been called into question years later by people who were present and the events were significant enough that they finally needed an answer to their questions.
Michael Wikan
We had been chased by the crazed killer for two days and now were barricaded in a cave with only one exit. I had two choices, defend the cave and starve or die from thirst or try a direct assault against the murderer's gun and face almost certain death.
Michael Wikan
I have a collection of short stories and vignettes I wrote over many years. My current task is translating these writings from pencil copy to the computer and from various public writings to my computer. Then my real task begins - assessing the collection to see if I can bring them together into a story. Many of these short stories come from my West Point days and military service in Germany and Korea; for a preview, Google "The Day We Found The Tunnels" and you will have an idea of the type stories I have written. A second effort is further along and focuses on one of my grandsons from 5-16 years already titled, "Tales of Dead-Eye Will".
Michael Wikan
This summer I have vowed to re-read some of my all-time favorites. Hemingway and Ruark wrote the most wonderful fiction that blended with their real life experiences and several of their works deserve my overdue attention. Jim Corbett's recitation of his hunts for man-eating tigers and leopards absolutely chills the imagination. I thought of his book, Man Eaters of Kumuon, the night I was planning a tiger hunt in Vietnam, a chapter in my book. Remembrance of Rivers Past by Ernest Schwiebert transports the reader to streams and rivers I never fished while teaching tactics and techniques I borrowed in my own quest for beautiful trout.
Michael Wikan
Sons of Kolchak came from believing I had lived through an eventful time period and my family might find it interesting. I started writing and after writing 50 chronological boring event pages I decided I needed take the time to tell the whole story. Once I decided that, it triggered the most all consuming six months I ever spent outside of actual combat and preparations for combat. The end result of that writing has been very fulfilling.
Michael Wikan
I get my inspiration mostly from my family. Now a greater inspiration comes from you and the others who are purchasing my work and giving me feedback through rating stars and especially through written reviews.
Michael Wikan
Write what you know about. Try writing a story for your favorite magazine. I sold both of the articles I wrote for a national magazine. But, in addition to writing to the set of requirements they had I first analyzed several articles I thought were good. I physically counted words, looked at photographs and diagrams, then looked at writing style. Then I wrote my first article and received acceptance within two weeks.
Michael Wikan
Writing something, even an email or letter, that the addressee actually reads and responds to my message. There are so many professions that depend on writing! Let me tell you one short tale. As a Systems Engineer for a Defense Contractor (after my military retirement) I headed a team of technical experts - logistics, training, mathematics, etc. that were tasked to investigate a Training Requirement and identify different solutions, arrange by probable cost and effectiveness and make a recommendation to the Government office which contracted the work. Once the individual investigations were complete I wrote the considerably lengthy report and included the separate reports as enclosures. So, I wrote the report as I would write a story, saving the best for the last. Once the report was submitted I waited for follow up questions, but received a pleasant surprise. My contractual Contact came over to my office, sat down and said there were no questions. But, he said, his boss read the report and the next day he said, "that report read like a novel. It held my interest and wrapped up all the approaches and questions I had as I read it." I became very much in demand for future programs.
Michael Wikan
When I write I have passed my "block" period. I have learned to avoid writing without a purpose. For example, when I wrote Sons of Kolchak I had first diagrammed the story line. Then the hard part came. So I thought and thought about the task. Finally I decided to use an old teaching approach; tell 'em what you are "gonna" tell them, then tell them, and finally tell 'em what you told them! That is where I used the "Departing" chapter as a true device to tell you readers most of what you were going to read. Then, for each chapter I needed to develop an approach - a hook, if you will permit me, to hold your attention. It took me anywhere from 1-3 days to decide. But once the decision came the writing was easy, and the words flowed out of my pencil onto a yellow legal pad.
Michael Wikan
I knew the decision and actions I took would mean certain death for either myself or my family. Since I had no choice that would keep us all safe from harm I decided to attack the killer directly, trusting my decision to God's grace.
Michael Wikan
I would go to a world that takes me to the best fishing and hunting spots from the past. Having reached the age and health limitations of age, going to the places I always wanted to go intrigues me.
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