For the information of your readers, NCIS is a Department of the Navy Independent Field Operating Agency – not a military service like the active duty Navy and Marine Corps. NCIS special agents are civilians who are sworn federal law enforcement officers with civilian arrest authority.
Did you start writing your books while you were still working in law enforcement, or did that happen afterward?
The seed for my writing career was planted during my last year as an active agent, but I didn’t start writing and publishing until after retirement. I read Bill Wiese’s book, 23 Minutes in Hell, in February 2010. His book opened my eyes and my heart. I retired in July 2010.
What made you decide to write your first book that combines both your faith and past career?
I wanted to reach people with facts that would help them understand the Bible and the whole topic of God’s supernatural kingdom more clearly, but I realized in order to attract a wider audience, I had to lure them in with entertainment. Since the NCIS shows are so popular, I wanted to use my career as a way of drawing in the curious.
Once I started writing my first novel – which is really Christian apologetics wrapped in a fictional suspense drama – I realized that I could use my inside knowledge of NCIS and the national security community to add realism and factual integrity to my books. I included some snippets of real NCIS cases and operations in Final Departure: Death Is Never On Time, to capture the readers’ attention and to make specific points. The old saying, “write what you know,” is very true.
How long did it take to write?
My first book, Final Departure, took about five years, because as I wrote, I was also conducting in-depth research into the Bible and a number of related topics such as geology, history, biology, astronomy and Christian commentary. I spent years listening to Christian teachers and studying the scriptures, and when I felt that I could explain why the Bible was true and why people should put their faith in Jesus Christ, I decided I had to share what I had learned.
Who encouraged you along the way?
I had a strong inner urge to promote truth. I felt I had lived my life in a selfish, ungodly way, and I wanted to try to help people not make the same poor choices I had made in my personal life that led me away from God. I also felt that God had put me in my career with NCIS for a reason and that he wanted me to use what I had learned to help others find Him.
Once I got serious about writing, I was very fortunate to find some outstanding editors and a book technician who helped me become a writer and publisher.
Are you active with any critique groups?
I’m not active in any critique groups, but I’m active in the Ancient City Chapter (St. Augustine) of the Florida Writers Association, where I’ve received countless hours of professional instruction and advice.
Sunbrook Publishing is your own LLC. What made you decide to go that route?
I guess you could say I like to be in total control. Since I was writing about an intensely personal and potentially controversial topic (in this day and age) – God – I wanted complete control over my message and the form of delivery. Because I had been in senior management in NCIS and other elements of the federal government, I felt comfortable building and running my own business. I learned to trust my instincts and act after prayer. I believe God led me to the right professionals whom I hired to work at Sunbrook Publishing on a contract basis.
Did you do the formatting and cover design, or did you hire others?
I hired a formatting and cover design professional to do all the formatting and cover designs for my paperback, hardcover, and eBook versions of my novels. Unfortunately, my book technician/publishing coach passed away recently, so I’ll be hiring someone new when my third book is ready.
What’s the hardest part for you in publishing and marketing your own books?
Clearly, it’s the marketing; it’s time consuming and replete with endless possibilities that can often be very expensive and of limited or no value. A challenge related to marketing is finding your niche in the market and developing a compelling message to attract readers. Since my novels focus on Christian apologetics, prophecy, and end times themes, I have a huge subject matter area to cover from a marketing and messaging standpoint.
As I write and receive feedback from readers, I’ve been refining my brand and core message. While I still have more adjustments to make in my marketing strategy, reader reviews and feedback have confirmed that they appreciate clear, concise explanations of Biblical questions.
While working with branding and messaging experts, I’ve learned that my purpose in writing is “spotlighting truth.” My brand is Evidence For Eternity: Defeating Deception and Upholding Truth.” Those core principles carried me in my previous career, and I continue to uphold them in my current calling.
Have you received push back from readers that your books are too preachy?
Some, but most of the pushback has been from readers who reject Christianity and the content of the Bible– not my writing ability. Others reject the concept of the existence of a literal heaven and hell, and they don’t like my factual presentation of the evidence that supports their existence. I’d say the negative reactions have been less than 10%, and the overwhelming response has been positive, as evidenced by the reviews.
On a related note, I had both books analyzed by a professional AI program called ScoreIt offered by Bowker. The program compared the manuscripts of both my books with thousands of the best sellers from the past decade. Both books were judged to be very close matches in style, composition, vocabulary and tone with John Grisham’s The Racketeer – not exactly your typical warm and fuzzy book that sugar coats tough issues. The Bible is a gritty book that discusses every sin under the sun. I tell it like it is in a straight, factual manner through my characters, and the readers can decide if I’m preaching. Final Departure has an atheist as the antagonist, and I give him free rein to promote his beliefs.
The Navy has an old saying: “if you’re not making waves, you’re not underway.” Since my books have generated a small number of negative reactions, I know I’m doing my job correctly.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Determining what message I want to convey in my books. I didn’t know what my message in my first book, Final Departure, was until I had written half of my manuscript. I realized I was writing to explain why the Bible is a written reflection of reality. I had a similar experience with my second book, Divine Return: Death Is Never The End. After I had written a number of chapters that were based on my research, I recognized I was creating an expose about contemporary topics that were not being discussed in main-stream churches and the secular media.
At present, I’m trying to decide whether to write a story line similar to Final Departure where I do in-depth character development and a constantly shifting plot while presenting general Christian apologetic facts, or do I do a continuation of Divine Return, that although it is a standalone sequel to Final Departure, it delves into the dark realities of Satanism, ritual abuse and the luciferian global elite – all based on factual research and on-the-ground investigative work.
I continue to seek feedback as I do research and some preliminary chapter writing.
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
The best encouragement has been the collective experience of winning eleven book awards – seven for Final Departure – and four for Divine Return. Knowing that impartial judges select your work for honors is very humbling and gratifying. The formal, public validation of my writing by others has been very encouraging. It’s also confirmed that I’ve hired great editors and book design experts.
What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Well written books create tension, flow smoothly, and draw in the reader. I didn’t know how to build pacing into my writing when I first started, but my content editor taught me how to create it. I also didn’t concern myself with the point of view of the characters when I first started. Whose head is the reader in during a scene? If your reader is in more than one person’s thoughts, you’re probably creating confusion and detracting from what you want to convey.
What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Pull your reader in on the first page of your book if it's fiction, or you’ll probably lose them. The same is actually true for nonfiction. Wordy, puffy, unfocused opening scenes will not capture today’s reader.
Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Quality is more important than quantity. Some gifted writers are able to churn out a book a year. Most of us average writers are not able to produce as quickly. Focus on producing the very best work you can create. Setting deadlines is a good practice, but a great book is never hurried.
Also, I spend hours self-editing each chapter before turning over my manuscript to my editors. I recommend all writers take their time and focus on developing a quality story with interesting characters and a strong underlying message.
Lastly, I recommend writers read their manuscripts out loud. They’ll be surprised at how their book reads when they hear the words audibly.
My goal is to have a rough manuscript done by June, but as I described above, I haven’t settled on the main message I want to send. The book will most likely be the third and final installment in what has become a series. I never planned to write a series, but after the positive response to Final Departure and the requests for more, I decided to continue the story through Divine Return.
My main characters, Dan Lucas, NCIS special agent-retired, and Ben Chernick, tenured sociology professor and Jewish atheist, have attracted a following. More importantly, the message they have conveyed has touched many, and I hope to continue telling important truths through them in book #3.
You are also part of Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA). Would you like to give some details about it?
I joined FAPA in order to enter their President’s Book Award competition. In addition to hosting a book awards program every year, they do a fine job of providing professional training webinars, networking opportunities, and industry insights through their monthly newsletter.
FAPA has an in-person conference and awards banquet every year in Orlando, Florida. They also periodically host writing seminars and conferences in the Orlando area as well.
That's all for today's interview. I hope his plotline intrigues you enough to purchase his books. Check out his website to set up a speaking engagement with him, review, his resources, and read his blog.
Website: https://jeffwaltonbooks.com/
Got questions? Reach him by email: at jeffwaltonbooks@gmail.com.
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