Ask the Author: J.T. Patten
Answered Questions (27)
J.T. Patten
I’m on a novel jury panel, so I’ll be focused on many author submissions.
J.T. Patten
Tears rolled from their cheeks as they parted a final goodbye to their lifeless infant son.
When his pale grey eyes re-opened, their own hearts seized not of joy but in terror.
When his pale grey eyes re-opened, their own hearts seized not of joy but in terror.
J.T. Patten
I think I’d do alright in the world of GoT.
J.T. Patten
My grandmother’s death.
J.T. Patten
Ha ha. Putting me on the spot. Each novel has been a new challenge. The first I tried to create a spy thriller with a new twist on black ops. In the second, I tried to take on the more pure military thriller but threw in a hero who had a heart that was in and out of the situation. In Presidential Retreat, I want to shake up the stereotypical assassination thriller. By the same token, I have a broken man who can only take so much. You can't be a footsoldier who keeps taking a beating by the masters without sooner or later beating back. As far as length, I have no idea. I want to finish it by election time due to the theme and the building election conspiracy in Primed Charge. I do know that I need to hurry up. Thanks for asking the question.
J.T. Patten
Thanks for the question. Sean originated from the DoD Intel buddy of mine who I had the initial bet with to write the book. He is a tactical HUMINT operator who has been in more than his share of scrapes. The analytical Intel guy is more of my personality. But where I may have gone left, Sean goes right. He is 80-90% outside of reality, but many of the dialogue and situational conversations could have happened. Fritter was a situation that happened to me. The banter between GEN Bain and Havens was similar to one I would have with a particular general who looked out for me but who would bust my chops being a "latte"-type guy when he wanted to stir me up in good fun. So that sort of thing is personal. The other side of Sean is my view of how a person would change after years of mental and physical abuse.
J.T. Patten
Yeah, at first, I was working for an employer who would not allow employees to write books. It wasn't government so there was was no reason other than reputation. I left that job before the book was finalized and then thought that if the book sucked, I'd hate to wreck my own reputation. I decided to use a family name that sounded more like a writer and used an old "spy" trick of snuggling, so my books would be near a strong author (Patterson). Now I just keep it since my author life can remain separate from my professional life as I am back with an employer who would have a say in my material if I used true name.
J.T. Patten
I'd put my money on the old man every time. I think we will see some serious mind battles in Presidential Retreat.
J.T. Patten
People love to hate Prescott Draeger. : )
J.T. Patten
We are working on it. Charles has narrated nearly 20 chapters at this point, so I hope by July 1. Thanks for inquiring!
J.T. Patten
It was just another creative risk assessment of what could be very detrimental or what could be exploited to threaten our National security. The current elections and learning of major power players contributing funds to seed campaign war chests pisses me off, so I delved into the conspiratorial aspects of that.
J.T. Patten
This was a tough one. And I would lie if I didn't say that it was partly for commercial reasons. I know that most readers are female and I felt that the story deserved a strong female. But she also has a strategic purpose to the story that goes back to the family side and the true nature of some political issues in intelligence and military with how women are treated or whether they should be in combat. So, a whole lot went into the thought process but it was ultimately contemporary issues and part of the story that cast her in the role.
J.T. Patten
Paulo was a logical flow from the P2 Italian Freemason group, however, I wanted him to characterize religious extremists as a whole. The bottom line on Paulo is that he believes in his cause with utter loyalty, which stems from his engrained belief system (and a situational circumstance to provide for his family). Whether Muslim, Christian, or others, people with extreme views and motivation to action that cause others harm are a threat. But, I also want to capture that such loyalty isn't based on evil, it is based on ideology and socio-cultural aspects.
J.T. Patten
I'll just say that I still have Jerry's card and he is an amalgamation of a number of individuals, mentors, and people I dispised.
J.T. Patten
I have no idea what you are talking about. Christina is dead.
J.T. Patten
I go book by book and page by page. That said, I know I have to put him through punishment and unpredictable situations. If a reader knows that he will survive, that is one thing so my job is to make it a surprise about what he will do or how he will cope. That's how Sean Havens' character evolves.
J.T. Patten
April 22 is the release for SAFE HAVENS: Primed Charge. Glad you enjoyed the first!
J.T. Patten
Next book is called SAFE HAVENS: Presidential Retreat. After that, I have to see where the story leads me. Glad you enjoyed the Primed Charge sample!
J.T. Patten
Sorry for the delay Bodo. I knew where the story was going to go while writing Shadow Masters. With the introduction of the Pond, it just made sense that it would boil up to something bigger and more ominous. I want to challenge Havens with the futility as just a man, yet still make him compelled to try.
J.T. Patten
Hello Samuel. Thanks for reaching out. Great question. For SAFE HAVENS: Shadow Masters, there was very little research that needed to be done. Writing the military / conspiracy thriller was a classic case of write what you know. For my next novel in the series, Primed Charge required a lot of research. Much more than I had expected. Unfortunately, Sean Havens got himself involved in a few locations that I had less experience in. To capture the sight, sounds, smells, political situations, etc, half of my time was spent digging in. On the one hand, it made it much harder to free write, on the other hand, the chunks made it a better way to keep flow and pace up. I think the second book is just as exciting and mechanically written better, as a result. Hope to finish it soon.
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