There comes a time for everyone to meet some truly amazing people.  Today I have two.  Not only are they co-authors, they are also American Veterans.  I cannot find the words to describe how honored I am to have them as guests on my blog, so I will simply introduce them and let them have their say.  So here they are, David McKoy & Lynn Hallbrooks.

“About the Authors”

David McKoy hails from the great state of Texas where he was a high school graduate then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy. David has over 30 years of combined experience in Military and Private Security.  David has earned some work-related certifications over the years.

 Lynn Hallbrooks was born in New York but was transplanted to Texas when her parents were tired of all the snow.  Lynn graduated from high school there and almost immediately joined the U.S. Air Force. Lynn garnered over 30 years of combined experience in Military and Civilian Health Information. Lynn has had some college classes since leaving high school, the latest endeavor was going to the Art Institute of Dallas where she studied Multimedia/Web Design.  This combined with her years as an Assistant Boy Scout leader with an Explorer Post helped her to with learn a little bit more about computers. Lynn tries to put her skills to good use and help others along the way.

Welcome David and Lynn, thanks for being here today.

David McKoy: Hello Tracy. My pleasure…thank you for that wonderful introduction as well as for having us here. Lynn assures me that no pictures will be taken…it wouldn’t do for a person in my line of business to be flashing their photo everywhere.

Lynn Hallbrooks: Howdy Tracy, so nice to be here. Thank you so much for terrific introduction. It is so sweet of you to take the time to interview both David and I.

How long have you been writing?

David McKoy: I have dabbled in poetry along with a few short stories off and on since High School. I basically write from the heart when the mood strikes me.

Lynn Hallbrooks: I remember writing a few poems and short stories when I was in high school. I’ve also written a few articles that have been published in work-related journals.

What was your life like before becoming an author?

David McKoy: Tracy, before actually settling down to write our book, my life was pretty much work and family. Being a Security Protection Officer, I am prone to working long and odd hours. So really, not much has changed.

Lynn Hallbrooks: Tracy, before I decided to switch careers, I was working as a Certified Coding Specialist.  Simply put I was someone who read medical charts, deciphered doctor’s handwriting to determine the diagnosis and treatments of patients. Then I figured out the appropriate codes that got sent off to the insurance companies. Of course, it is a bit more complicated than that but I think you and your audience get the basic idea. I will say that I did pick up a few communication skills along the way.

Who or what inspired you to write?

David McKoy: The political situation that I saw at that time and which currently exist inspired me to write because I was so frustrated by it.  When Lynn decided to change careers and needed some assistance, I said I had these ideas rolling around in my head that might make a good book.  Once I put pen to paper, everything started flowing out of me. I discovered it was really great therapy.

Lynn Hallbrooks: My grown daughter inspired me to write.  Seeing that I was getting burnt out with my previous career, she said, “Mom why don’t you do something you love like singing or writing”. Since I knew I was not going to get far with my singing voice, I decide to write for a living.

Do you have a specific writing style or genre?

David McKoy: No I don’t have a specific writing style or genre. I just write what I am feeling…well maybe it is more of what I am envisioning. I’m not a true psychic but at times I get a vision of the future that makes me stop and take notice. At the time I handwrote the pages for our book, the actions were pure fiction.  However, by the time we sent it to our publisher, our proofreader noted that some things had already happened to some degree. This is why, I’d really love to have people read our book to see if anything else comes true before their very eyes.

 Lynn Hallbrooks: Well it seems I have a flair for the futuristic. I won’t call it true Sci-fi but more like I say, “What if…” and go from there.

 Tell me about your latest book?  What’s it about?

David McKoy: The only book that we have available for purchase is Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning). This book introduces the CIA special operations team, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew to readers. They have many adventures that stem from a mission that went terribly wrong. Along the way, they discover a few well kept secrets.

Lynn Hallbrooks: If you want the official blurb, you can find our book for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords or for a complete list of our links, including those for print books, you can visit our website.

What was your favorite part of the book to write?

David McKoy: My favorite part of the book to write was figuring out how the team would improvise, overcome, and adapt to situations that “turned on a dime”.

Lynn Hallbrooks: I agree with that but my most favorite scene is in Chapter 13.  You and your audience can find an excerpt of this on Wattpad.

What was the hardest part to write?

David McKoy: Making the story realistic and believable was the hardest part for me.

Lynn Hallbrooks: I think the hardest part for me was when the characters had to get hurt. I don’t like pain but when you are a warrior that is part of the territory.

What do you find most rewarding in writing a book?

 David McKoy: My greatest reward is feeling like I am getting the word out about a political system that is bound and determined to deteriorate our freedoms and liberties. It is my greatest hope that when people learn about what can potentially happen, then maybe things will change for the better.

Lynn Hallbrooks: I think my greatest reward after writing and publishing our book has been meeting so many other great authors. Learning and sharing experiences with them has taught me so much more than I could ever learn from a how-to book.

 Do you have any other books complete or in progress?

David McKoy: Yes, I’m in the process of handwriting book three of the Call Sign: Wrecking Crew series.

Lynn Hallbrooks:  While David is doing that I’ve been busy working on the re-writes for book two of the series.

What are your future plans in regards to writing?

David McKoy: I hope to write one more book in the series but the votes are still out on that for the moment.

Lynn Hallbrooks: Tracy, at this point, I’m taking things one day at a time. By that I mean, I have my hands full with working on the series and trying to market our first book.

Are you listed on the major social networks like Facebook, twitter, Goodreads, etc…

David McKoy: Lynn says we are, I’ll defer to her on the particulars.

Lynn Hallbrooks: I have us listed on Facebook, twitter, Goodreads, Google+ as well as a blog.

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?

David McKoy: The most important thing would be to forewarn them to be careful of what you write and set in print. I whole-heartedly believe that our Freedom of Speech is not as guaranteed as the Founding Fathers would have wanted us to have.

Lynn Hallbrooks: I highly recommend that an unpublished author develop a fan base. This can be done through Facebook, twitter or whatever prior to actually publishing the book.  That way when it comes time to launch your book, you’ll have someone willing to read it…outside of family and friends that is.

Outside of writing, what is your most favorite thing to do and why?

David McKoy: I enjoy spending time with my family. As I said before, I work odd hours so time with them is a rare thing.

Lynn Hallbrooks: I enjoy singing, I’m no superstar but my church choir doesn’t mind having me with them.

Anything else you would like to add for future fans and friends.

David McKoy: Tracy, thank you again for giving Lynn and I this opportunity to talk to you and your audience. I’m not sure how writers who don’t have a co-author manage. This was one project that I’m glad that I saw through from start to finish, thanks in great part to my co-author and business partner. Lynn has been my encourager and butt-kicker.  Lynn won’t allow me say the other word.  She also is one of the most loving, caring, and giving persons that I know outside of my family.

Lynn Hallbrooks: *blushing* Not fair, how can one follow that up? Oh I know how, David and I don’t always agree on things but we do find a way of blending our thoughts and ideas. One last thing, we are recent members of RABMAD (Read A Book Make A Difference) and Am Writing organizations.  Tracy, how about I interview you sometime in the near future?

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Thank you Lynn & David for the great interview.  I am so very honored to get to know you both.  And yes, Lynn, it would be my pleasure to be interviewed by you.  Anytime.  Just let me know when.  :o)

 Lynn Hallbrooks:  Cool! How about we try for tomorrow? 

Sounds good to me.  :o)