Breakneck author, Craig Alexander answers the questions you want to know the answers to!

Breakneck: So you’ve got a very big story, with lots of interesting locations, great action and high stakes. But the premise, the main character being led forward through dreams, is unique. What was your inspiration for writing your novel?

Alexander: A dream. I was involved in a study of Daniel. The latter half of the book of Daniel is about his dream life. One of the exercises of the study was to remember a dream and discuss it the next week.

I went home that night and put a pad and pencil by my bed. And I had a dream, what a doozey it was. In the dream my Bible study group was discussing the, at that time, impending war in Iraq. One of the guys turned to me and asked, “What do you think?”

I replied, “The answer is in Nahum.”

We all opened our Bibles and began flipping pages. I arrived at a place in the Bible and my finger scanned the page. As I was about to speak again, I woke up.

I almost never remember dreams, that’s why I put the notepad by the bed, and I scrawled five words on a piece of paper: The answer is in Nahum.

Now, I’m pretty familiar with the Bible, but I didn’t remember the book of Nahum, or if it even existed. So, imagine my surprise when I opened my Bible the next morning and located the book of Nahum. My surprise deepened even more when I discovered the book was a prophecy about the destruction of an ancient city. A city whose ruins are located in … modern day Iraq.

Oh, by the way I had this dream in Jan. 2003, over a month before the war started.

True story. Promise.

To find out more you’ll have to read the book!

Breakneck: That’s an amazing story and one of the cooler inspirations for a novel I’ve heard of. After the dream, how long did it take to write?

Alexander: Actual writing time about a year and half. Before I started I did a lot of thinking, and a lot of research. It took five months to complete a rough draft, the rest of the time was spent making it readable and learning the craft of novel writing.

Breakneck: On to the deep questions... Have any Favorite authors or books.

Alexander: Tough question, there are many. As a kid and young adult I was into fantasy and westerns. I know a strange combination. So of course I love Tolkien, Lewis, and Terry Brooks. In my humble opinion the all time king of the western was and is Louis L’amour. More current interests: Robert Ludlum, Michael Crichton, James Rollins, and Harlan Coben.

Alexander: Two of my favorite books I can think of off the top of my head are The Walking Drum by Louis L’amour and Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton.

Breakneck: Ahh, Jurassic Park. One of the greats. Did you read The Lost World too? If so, how do you think it measured up to the first?

Alexander: I did. It was good and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t mesmerize me like Jurassic Park. But hey, few books have, and it was a tough act to follow. Even for a master like Crichton.

Breakneck: Moving forward...deeper... What are your favorite movies?

Alexander: Another tough one, I am a movie buff. I love classics: Anything with Martin & Lewis together, Jimmy Stewart, or Carey Grant. Some favorites are: The Ten Commandments, Groundhog Day, Star Wars, any Star Wars, Spider Man I and II, Lord of the Rings, and The Last Samurai. I love martial arts movies if they’re well done, I’m not a big fan of the flying through the air “chop socky” flicks. A couple of stand outs are Chuck Norris’ A Force of One and Jet Li’s The One.

 

Breakneck: By “chop socky” do you mean movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Curse of the Golden Flower, or something else? Have you seen The Twilight Samurai? It’s a great flick...and not a one person can jump like a human grasshopper.

Alexander: When I say “chop socky” I mean poorly dubbed movies with unbelievable over-the-top action like walking on water and floating in the air while delivering a hundred or so kicks. Hey, if the premise is you have super powers, bring it on, the more super the better. But if the premise is you’re a mere human martial artist, I don’t buy it, in author speak-I can’t suspend my disbelief. I actually did like Crouching Tiger, when it came out it was kind of unique. But enough is enough. I haven’t seen Twilight Samurai …yet … but you can be sure I’ll look for it now!

Breakneck: And the coup de grāce.... Favorite music?

Alexander: I like a little of everything. Classic crooners to modern rock and everything between. I spent my teen years in the eighties, so I like a lot of that era’s music. The only things I don’t really care for are rap and country.

Breakneck: Who would you say are the authors who have most influenced your writing?

Alexander: Same guys I mentioned before. I really tried to write an action packed, God honoring, story that I would like to read.

Breakneck: How did you decide to become a writer?

Alexander: I’ve always wanted to be a writer; I just never had “The” idea to get me started. I wrote poetry as a kid. I always enjoyed creative writing and took quite a few courses in college. I was one of the few who actually liked writing essays in school.

Breakneck: When you’re not writing, what fills yours spare time?

Alexander: Tennis, basketball, really any type of fun exercise, video games, movies, and reading. I don’t mention martial arts here, because it’s more than just a hobby, I’ve been doing it so long it’s kind of part of me, a way of life.

Breakneck: You mentioned video games. Here at Breakneck we’re known to throw down in the virtual world from time to time. What games are you playing now and are they PC, X-Box, PS3...Atari?

Alexander: I have an X-Box. I play a lot of tennis and fighting games. Surprise. I think my favorite all time X-Box game is Splinter Cell. I haven’t had a chance to get the sequel, but I plan on it. My niece got a Wii from Santa Claus. She brought it to my house when she stayed with us and the whole family loves it, from my five year-old on up. The interactive controls are really cool making the sports games a treat. I’ve got to get one! You know, for the kids to play. Cough, cough.

Breakneck: Cough, cough and Breakneck needs a 360 in the office. Ahh...someday... So what are you writing now? What can we look forward to reading from you in the future?

Alexander: I’m writing another book now, the working title is Samson’s Blood. I’ve got some others boiling around up there as well.

Breakneck: Samson’s Blood...sounds intriguing. If Rick Henderson was to be played by a Hollywood actor, who would it be?

Alexander: The only person that comes to mind right now is Matt Damon based on his portrayal of Jason Bourne in the The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy.

Breakneck: Excellent. Damon did do a good job in those flicks, though I would route for Jason Statham. When it comes to hard hitting fisticuffs, he can’t be beat.

Alexander: Hey I agree! Statham is awesome. The Transporter rocked. He would be a great choice for the military character in the book. The only reason he wasn’t my first choice for the lead is that he is a little more hard-edged than I picture Rick Henderson.

Breakneck: Well, hey, thanks for taking the time to talk to us about the book!

Alexander: Absolutely.

 

 

 
 
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As always, Breakneck Books will bring you exclusive interviews with all of our authors. Part of every book's success is the author's connection with their fans. We hope this helps you, the reader, get to know how your favorite Breakneck book came to be, and what motivates, inspires or otherwise interests Breakneck's authors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 
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