Have to admit I was a little scared when Paul Bishop of Wolfpack Publishing offered me a chance to write the first book in The Ranger: Concho series, as A. W. Hart. I’d written books for the Avenging Angels and the Black Rose, but to “begin” a series was something else again. However, the character outline he gave me was intriguing, and challenging. There seemed to be lots of interesting possibilities. Within an hour of talking to Paul and asking for a little time to think, I knew I wanted to do it. The ideas were already spinning in my head.
Now, I’m three books in (with a 4th manuscript
just turned in), and it’s like learning a language. I’ve started to dream in
Ranger. Even after just finishing a book, I keep thinking about what Concho Ten-Wolves
is up to and what might happen next. It’s a lot of fun, if a bit all consuming.
Outside of the action sequences, which I’ve either based
purely on my imagination or on historical events, the character of Concho comes
from the real life of either myself or people I know. I’m neither black nor
Kickapoo, and Concho is, but I’m human, and one thing I’ve learned in my life
is that the hopes and dreams and desires of humans are mostly universal. People
are more alike than they are different.
I’m not as good of a person as Concho, but a few of his characteristics and mannerisms come straight out of me: the foods he enjoys, his love of reading, even his inability to arch an eyebrow. The fact that he is a talker. I didn’t want to create another laconic Texas Ranger hero. Concho talks, jokes, laughs. He likes words, as I do.
I’m not sure where the Ranger series will go next. I
certainly hope to write more books about Concho. An idea is already percolating
for a fifth book. And I can probably go on as long as there are readers. I’ve
sure been happy that the first two books seem to have attracted quite a few
readers, and I’ve loved the great reviews. I don’t know about other writers but
it is certainly a thrill for me to hear that someone enjoyed a work that I’ve
written, or that it touched them in some way. Maybe that’s a human
characteristic too. If you want to check the books out, here's the link:
Congratulations, it appears you have found a niche.
ReplyDeletehttps://fromarockyhillside.com
Seems so, and one I enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Are the storylines yours now?
ReplyDeleteAlex, the rights to the books belong to Wolfpack, although I could certainly use elements
ReplyDeletei have read all 6 books. I truly hope that is not all that will be written. This series is well written and enjoyable to read. And i believe so much more to offer.
ReplyDelete