FAST FIVE Author Interview with Rich Weatherly

Author Rich Weatherly, a good friend through The Independent Author Network, is visiting today to talk about his newly published book, Closed Doors, a Trilogy. Much of Rich’s professional career included technical and copy writing, media production and corporate photography. His focus is now on creating writing. I was given the opportunity to read Rich’s thrilling novella, Toxic Situations, prior to publication and enjoyed the well-researched and action packed story. This week I am reading Closed Doors, a Trilogy.

FAST FIVE: Welcome, Rich, and thank you for visiting today. Your book is unique in several ways. Can you please share with us details of Closed Doors, a Trilogy and your research for it?

RICH WEATHERLY: So that everyone has an overview, I’ll start with the synopsis of Closed Doors, a Trilogy:

Closed Doors opens with a novella, Toxic Situations. A break-in at an Atlanta, Georgia laboratory results in the theft of avian flu virus capsules by organized crime figures and an investigation by the CDC.

Toxic Situations was inspired by a paper presented by Dr. J.J. Brown on risks associated with laboratory research into deadly viruses. I contacted her with my idea for a fictional story based on the paper and received permission to do so. The rest is imagination except for fact checking places, organizations and procedures. I spent some time in Sydney, Australia during the ’60. Sydney is the destination of the fugitives in the story.

Toxic Situations is followed by two short story prequels: Family Secrets and Thrills at the Esplanade Cinema. Each story has ties to the Craig Wells family. The short stories are fictional renderings of personal events in my life. That said, I used a large amount of creative license. These stories are set in North Texas where I’ve lived most of my life.

FAST FIVE: What is the backstory for your main character, and is “the job” the most important part of your protagonist’s life?

RICH WEATHERLY: Craig Well’s Jr. is my protagonist in Toxic Situations. After losing his wife during the 9/11 attacks, he and his parents helped raise his now teenage daughter. His family is featured in the story but his role as head of security at the CDC has center stage in this story. He is well qualified for the position having served in Naval Intelligence during Operation Desert Storm and the CIA. He uses his background, training and persistence to pursue his objectives.

In the short story Family Situations, Craig Sr. is a 14 year old boy who uses his wit and determination to protect members of his family in a difficult situation and at great risk. He takes actions which result in the capture of a criminal who attacked a family member.

Thrills at the Esplanade Cinema features Craig Sr. as a high school student working as a theater usher. While doing his job of maintaining order in the theater, a belligerent young woman starts a confrontation that escalates into a dangerous situation. He has his hands full.

FAST FIVE: The Mystery/Suspense genre is the focus of Fast Five interviews, what unique twist makes your book stand out?

RICH WEATHERLY: I have to be careful with this one to avoid giving you a spoiler. The best twists are near the end but I’ll give you some important elements near the beginning of Toxic Situations which is a Suspense/Thriller. When criminals break into and steal capsules of the deadly avian virus it creates the potential for a national emergency. CDC obtains phone intercepts that quickly identify competing organized crime figures who want to exploit the break-in. When members of one organization flee the country with the capsules, they unknowingly have a mole onboard their plane who is determined to stop them.

FAST FIVE: How does your main character’s profession draw him into suspenseful situations, (murder, for instance?)

RICH WEATHERLY: As head of CDC security, any situation that risks exposure by American citizens to bio-hazards has the potential of becoming a threat to national security. My MC is in the vanguard to keep risks from becoming a reality.

FAST FIVE: Is this book part of a series, and are you working on a sequel?

RICH WEATHERLY: Toxic Situations, the novella ends with the capture of some but not all of the fugitives. CDC also learns that a remaining capsule probably remains in the U.S. I am planning a sequel.

FAST FIVE: Rich, this isn’t a Fast Five question, more an “if/then” scenario: If Paris is not an option, then where would you most like to spend your time writing and why.

RICH WEATHERLY: I’m easy to please but secluded places like Rocky Mountain National Park or the Blue Ridge, Smoky Mountains or an Appalachian Mountain resort are worthy of consideration.

Thank you, Rich, for sharing this interesting information about yourself and your new book.

Here are the links where readers can follow you and your excellent blog site:

Author Page: http://richweatherly.wordpress.com/my-writing/

IAN: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/rich-weatherly.html

Twitter: twitter.com/richweatherly43

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.weatherly1