R.J. Patterson - Adrenaline Packed Action

While growing up in a military family, R.J. Patterson spent some of his formative years living with his family on the estate of an English baron and baroness. It was there that he developed his passion for good literature. After winning numerous awards for his writing and journalistic work, Patterson left journalism full-time to pursue writing books and now resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and four children. He plans to write many more thrilling novels unless the CIA presses him into service to save the world. As our Author of the Day, Patterson tells us everything about his Brady Hawk Box Set.

Please give us a quick introduction to your Brady Hawk Box Set

This set includes the fourth, fifth, and sixth books in the Brady Hawk series.

How do the books in this set tie in with one another?

These books include many of the same characters. They don’t end in cliffhangers but there are story threads that carry from one book to the next.

Can they be read as standalones?

Yes they can but there is a bigger story arc for the entire series.

Tell us more about Brady Hawk. What makes him so special?

Brady was trained as a Navy SEAL but also participated in the peace corps, so he’s gritty and tough but also able to see the gray area in a situation and act appropriately and sometimes with compassion.

Brady Hawk is a real globetrotter. Have your own travels inspired any of the settings for your books?

Yes, I lived in Europe as a child and went all over. Later in life I started traveling again and have been to many of the locations used in the book. There are a few I’ll likely never go to for safety reasons but I love to put readers there.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I don’t know if I’d call it a secret skill but I still play soccer and coach a team of 12 & 13 year old girls. I also do quite a bit of carpentry work for my wife, who thinks she can never have enough bookshelves.

Readers say that your books are adrenalin packed and impossible to put down. How do you pull that off?

In many action adventure stories, I feel like there’s too much extraneous details and readers crave the rush of following a character on a chase or hunt. So I try to thrust the reader right into the action in the first chapter and stir up trouble from there.

Some have likened your writing to that of Brad Thor, Vince Flynn and Ian Flemming. Who are some of your all-time favorite authors in the genre?

ove David Baldacci and Vince Flynn. Brad Taylor is another one of my favorites — and Robert Lundlum is a master storyteller in this genre.

Which is your favorite book of the set and why?

It’s always difficult to answer because I think every author always this his or her best novel is the latest one, especially since we should always be improving. But I like Seek and Destroy where Hawk goes after a few people who’ve been trying to set him up and eliminate him.

What is the hardest thing about being a writer?

I think coming up with fresh ideas within a series is tough. You never want to be formulaic and that stands to be a challenge sometimes.

Your books contain quite a couple of twists. Do you plan them out before you start writing or do some of them just "happen" along the way?

I plan out most of my twists but there are times when I’ll see something that I didn’t see when I was initially plotting out the novel and decide to go in a different direction.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is a typical writing day like for you?

I do my best writing first thing in the morning between 6 and 7:30 in the morning. I like to write at least 1,500 words before breakfast. After breakfast, I write for two more hours, hit the gym and eat lunch before writing for two more hours in the afternoon. It keeps me focused and fresh.

How do you manage finishing off one book if the idea for the next is nagging at the back of your head?

I keep a file for future plots to throw the ideas into so I don’t get too distracted.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on the twelfth book in my Cal Murphy series, Dead on Arrival.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

Readers can sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Facebook. We have a fun community on social media, and I love hearing from readers.

Readers can get the first book in the series free for signing up here:

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/r5dhplmmyo

Facebook: http://facebook.com/JackPattersonAuthor

Website: http://www.rjpbooks.com

Instagram: @MrRJPatterson

Twitter: @MrRJPatterson