Interview with author Chuck Waldron

U.S. born, Canadian novelist Chuck Waldron is currently working on his fourth novel, a thriller about an investigative blogger who uncovers more than he ever imagines…and has no idea what to do with his discovery.

His first novel, Tears in the Dust , is a mystery set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War in 1937. When Alestair Ferguson volunteers to fight in the International Brigade he doesn't realize the true price he will have to pay. Chuck's second novel, Remington and the Mysterious Fedora , is a quirky fantasy, a story about what happens when a young man sits at the keyboard of a manual typewriter and puts on an old fedora. When the fedora and its mysterious power begins to whisper a story to him, the young man has a strange adventure indeed. His third novel, Served Cold , spans decades and stretches from the countryside of rural Ontario to a quiet artists' studio in Tucson, Arizona. With lots of murder and mayhem in between, the story is what happens when a long-standing feud erupts into hot-blooded vengeance.

Chuck wrote over thirty short stories before setting out to write novels that are affordable and entertaining. He has attended writing workshops in Iowa, Florida, Georgia and Ontario, Canada.

"I grew up," Chuck said, "listening to my grandfather, an Ozark Mountain story teller, spinning tales of the caves on his farm, describing them as hiding places once used by the Jesse & Frank James' gang. It didn't matter if the stories were true or not. Those legends set fire to my imagination, creating images that emerged slowly over the years, finally igniting as my short stories and novels."

Now, thirty-plus short stories and three novels later, ideas keep coming, with more novels under development. Do they share anything in common? Each has its own unique voice and tale to tell, yet, at their heart, his stories tell about the human condition – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Chuck adds, "stored images that echo in my writing include train whistles in the night, Norman Rockwell childhood scenes, U.S. Army memories, blue collar jobs, university, a professonal career, and finally retirement. Many of my images are drawn from this pool of memories: places visited, sights seen, and people met. The rest I filled in with my imagination: dreams of places yet to be visited, sights yet to be seen, and people yet to be met."

His literary roots were planted in the American Midwest and thrived when transplanted – over thirty-nine years ago – to the rich, cultural soil of Ontario. He and his wife, Suzanne, spend their summers in Kitchener, Ontario and are warmed by a winter sun in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

You can visit Chuck at http://www.writebyme.ca and at www.chuckwaldron.com . Visit him at Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/writebyme and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wordstir .

About Remington & The Mysterious Fedora
Surprise is in store when, in the back of a strange used goods store, Josh finds an old Remington typewriter and a fedora with some very mysterious powers. As Josh embarks on his first novel writing adventure, he finds that his new hat has its own story to tell – of a time before history began – and is quite demanding of Josh's attention. As the story consumes him, Josh's life begins to unravel, and he soon finds he is unable to separate himself from the hat and the story. When the last page is written, Josh is left with more questions than answers…both about the story and his own life.

Read the first chapter here .

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!
To celebrate the release of Chuck Waldron's new fantasy novel, Remington & The Mysterious Fedora, he is offering one free paperback copy of his book at Pump Up Your Book's 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away! Click here for details!
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or was there
something else you wanted to do as a career?

The urge to create stories like Remington & the Mysterious Fedora has always crept around the edge of my mind. I have always had a passion for stories and cherished my first library card when I was eight years old. I think I've always wanted to be a writer but a professional career often got in my way. Now I have time to embrace my writing passion full time.

If you had the chance to co-author a book with anyone who would it
be and why?

I think it would have been a hoot to co-author a book with Robert Parker. But, I would really pick Darcie Torres, my editor. The two of us would make a great writing team.

Is there any books you've read that were so emotional that you teared up?

There are three that came to mind, To Kill a Mockingbird, the Grapes of Wrath & the Diary of Anne Frank

What is the first book that you remember reading?

The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley

If your book was being made into a movie do you already have actors
in mind for each role? What bands/singers would you put on the
soundtrack?

Whew, what a question. I had someone like David Kross in mind while I wrote the character Josh in Remington & the Mysterious Fedora. His two girlfriends would be played by Mia Wasikowska and Emily Barclay

What are 10 random facts about you?

Tall
Shy
Curious
Stood on the North Pole once
Cry during sad movies
Love cats
Detest intolerance
Married to a wonderful woman
Tried leaping a tall building and it hurt
Love, absolutely love, to write.