Q&A with Charles Ray discussion

Charles, I have to ask how you fit in writing such a shockingly large number of books with your already busy schedule? Vicki

I wake up every morning around 5:30 or 6:00 and after showering and fixing breakfast (about 40 minutes), I write until around 7:45, and then off to work. In the evening, I write until midnight (if I don't have an evening event I start around 7:00). On Sunday, I try to put in 7 hours writing, and 4 on Saturday because that's my golf day. I get 4 - 5,000 words a day done. Doing that almost every day I manage.

You are amazing! Very disciplined. I'm going to try to follow your example so I can catch up on my own writing. I'm writing and improving but its freelance stuff, editing, research. I miss my own writing.
Another question:
Do you ever see yourself retiring from being an author?

Yes, when I can no longer see or control my fingers, or when my brain stops working.

That is fortunate for us readers! And I don't know but what your ghost will keep writing even after your brain stops!
When do you have time to think of your plots and characters? For example, do you do any outlining before you start a book?

I come up with a general plot and then do character sketches. I don't do extensive outlining as I like the story to unfold naturally.

I have found your books to be very real to life. The move along quickly and the characters seem like real people to me.

Glad to hear that. I think that might be because I don't follow a strict outline. I sort of run a movie of the action in my head and then let the characters do what seems the logical thing to do in real life - even for those in the fantasy stories. I use situations and dialogue that I've observed over the years, always trying to make every bit of dialogue or action move the story to the next scene. Actually, now that I think about it, I tend, I think, to write in scenes like a movie or TV show. Never thought much about it until just now.

Yes, that is great observation because when I read I visually see the scenes unfolding in my head! That does not usually happen to me. Your books would lend themselves to film very easily.

Thanks,now if I can just find a producer who is interested. :-)

yes!! that would be so great! Maybe while you are still in Africa you could arrange something with a Nollywood producer. Which of your books do you think would best translate into a TV series?

Well, I sort of like Al Pennyback as a possible series. I have to wait until I leave my current posting, though, before I could approach anyone here about doing it. Ethics regulations, you know. I also like Wallace in Underland and Angel on His Shoulder as potential series - maybe animated, or something like that.

I would absolutely love to seee Al Pennyback as a series. So much better than "Monk" which is the same thing week after week, much too predictable.
And animation is great idea for Angel on His Shoulder. I have to catch up and read Wallace in Underland!
I think Color Me Dead would make a good movie. Nice Fantasy genre. What do you think?

I totally agree about Color Me Dead. Lots of action there along with the dream sequences would be great I think. I might have to learn script writing and do one.

I bet you can do a great job of it.

Now I'm looking forward to your retirement too.

Not as much as I am. I'm so, so tired of dealing with the bureaucracy from the inside. Want to be outside so I can take pot shots at it. :-)

LOL!!!! That's great