Behind the Book: Griffin Walker of Catch a Falling Star hijacks my blog
If Kendall can interview you, then I figure I can interview you too.
Has anyone ever told you that you’re bossy, Griffin?
Mark Harmon — the inspiration for Lt. Col. Griffin Walker of Catch a Falling Star
Besides Kendall?
Yes.
My younger brother, Ian, probably thinks I’m bossy — he’s just smart enough not to tell me to my face.
Then I’m not going to say anything.
Smart author. By the way, thanks for making me an air force pilot in Catch a Falling Star.
You’re welcome. Originally, you were going to fly helicopters, but then I switched you to A-10s.
Why the change?
U.S. Air Force A-10 Photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher
The former air force helicopter pilot I was talking with had a lot of travel and I was up against a deadline, which made it difficult to connect. So, I mixed things up a bit. You do still have his last name, though.
Do you do that a lot: name characters after your friends?
Yep. One of the fun things about being a novelist.
So why’d you give me a brother who is so much younger than me? That really complicated my life.
I’m supposed to complicate your life, Griffin. Creates tension. And my three older children have a much-younger sister, so it’s a bit of real life experience tossed into fiction.
That’s not the only real life experience you tossed at me—but I’m not thanking you for medical problem you wrote into my storyline.
As a writer, I don’t believe in wasting anything. The hero in my first novel, Wish You Were Here, broke his knee — just like my husband did.
You do realize you messed with my plans.
One of the scenes in Catch a Falling Star happens here, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Griffin’s alma mater.
If you read the back cover copy of the book, Griffin, you’ll realize that’s the main question of Catch a Falling Star: Is life about making plans … or wishing on stars … or is it about something more?
And the answer is—
You don’t have an answer?
I’m not much of a “wishing on stars” kind of guy. And like I said, you wrecked my plans.
So you’re going with “something more”?
Why don’t we let the readers find out?
Works for me.
Is there some reason why Kendall got the Jeep that worked and I kept ending up on the side of the road?
Didn’t like that much? It’s a Jeep thing, Griffin, you know that. And besides, sometimes it’s fun when the gal rescues the guy.
Is there anything you’d like to ask Griffin — or me — as we get “behind the book?” More interviews by imaginary characters & other “Behind the Book” glimpses of Catch a Falling Star to come!
NEW: FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF CATCH A FALLING STAR !
