Give
us a quick introduction on yourself and your book.
My
Name is Adam Regnart and I live in Springfield, Queensland Australia.
My upcoming work is called Turning
Tide
which is about an Australian Naval Officer on exchange with the
United States Navy caught in the events leading up to 9-11.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I
had been reading military and political fiction since high school,
but had difficulty finding anything based in Australia. Don’t get
me wrong, I enjoy reading from authors from other countries, but
Australia has a lot to offer too. I’ve also been known to tell a
good story when describing something that’s happened in my life or
happened during the week which can sometimes bring a laugh.Do
you have a specific writing style?
That’s
a good question. . I like to write to create pictures in your mind
that you are in the story, going through your own set of emotions as
you experience what the characters are experiencing.
How did you come up with the title?
I
came up with the title after completing chapter 11 of the draft
manuscript. I had been watching the national news service (ABC 24)
here in Australia as I always do and had been thinking that the
conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya were like a tide. One
day one side the conflict was in their favour, the next day, it was
the other’s.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
To
enjoy the book as a fictional work and not to tar entire races and
countries with the same brush by the actions of a minority.
How much of the book is realistic?
At most 50%. I try to write
so the story lines to dovetail in with current or upcoming events.
For example, another book from the same series that I was considering
to be my first book is Back
Into The Fold.
It involves the Global Financial Crisis and local events here in
Australia. Turning
Tide
is based on events surrounding 9/11 and the war on terrorism.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I
can’t speak for my own personal military experiences as I don’t
have any. In my circle of friends are former and current ADF
(Australian Defence Force) Personnel. On a more personal front, my
father served as a conscript in Vietnam. Dad has rarely spoken about
his experiences, which we have chosen to respect and when he has
spoken about them we have listened in silent respect.
Vietnam was a particularly
dirty war, as all wars are dirty. Some of the Veterans who had
returned home had suffered from post-traumatic stress and other
related health issues. The same has applied with Falklands, Iraq I &
II, Afghanistan. This is my way of saying thank you to him and the
other veterans for their service. What
books have most influenced your life most?
Dale
Brown and Stephen Coonts were the first adult authors I read from my
teens and adulthood as they involve fast jets and the modern navy. I
also read Alexander Kent because his stories are based in the
Napoleonic wars and his writing style is as though you are there.
There is another author I discovered recently, Charlie Owen, a former
UK Police Inspector who a written a 4 book series called Horse’s
Arse.
He has my sense of humour.
If
you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I
would say Dale Brown. When I started off writing he would politely
take the time to answer questions I posed when he had the time. One
of the reasons what I like his writing is the fact that his “toys”
used in his books are cutting edge a he is writing from his own
experiences.
What book are you reading now?
At
the moment I have just finished reading Tom Clancy’s latest Threat
Vector
which involves a conflict between China and the United States through
Cyberwarfare.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
At
present I’m sorry to say that nothing has caught my eye, but if you
and your followers could suggest an author, I would be most
appreciative.
What are your current projects?
At
present I’m full steam ahead on Turning
Tide
where I have written 12 draft chapters since January. I’m editing
Back
into the Fold
and I’ve just started my own blog adamregnartwriter.blogspot.com.au
and developing a more professional site www.adamregnart.com
which is an enjoyable challenge.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Yes.
The FB Page, Australian Writers Rock! It has been great source of
encouragement, inspiration and information sharing. Everyone is
willing to help each other and there is genuine conversation and
passion between members on the subject of writing and publishing.
Do you see writing as a career?
I
would like to. If my books are a success I would like to learn to be
an editor and literary agent so I can support and develop future
writers.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I
would like to have written it sooner, yet still have the same
sensitivities towards the 9-11 victims.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
At
high school there was an extracurricular activity on writing during
the summer months. I decided to give it a go and the flow has
continued to today. I ran into the same teacher who took the course
ten years after I had left school and explained how her class
inspired me to write. She was quite touched and moved by this.
Can
you share a little of your current work with us?
Thank
you. Turning
Tide
is about Jim Fraser, a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy who is
on exchange with the US Navy’s USS Georgia,
a former nuclear ballistic missile submarine converted to a guided
missile and special operations boat. Initially he is reluctantly
accepted on board and is put through the trials as a new member of
the crew. The submarine is sabotaged and because of his actions
saving the ship he finally earns their respect and acceptance.
The submarine is one of the
first ships to sortie after the attack of 9-11 and fires the first
shots in the Afghanistan and Iraqi invasions. I also plan on
introducing women in front line combat roles in the book.
