Interview with Thomas H. Ward, Author of Critical Incidents: Korea – The Rok

What can you tell us about your new release, Critical Incidents: Korea – The Rok?

This story takes place in South Korea. Jack Gunn, by accident, uncovers a plot to start the next Korean War or possibly a World War. North Korea wants to take over South Korea and will do anything to make that happen. Mi-young, Jack’s lover, puts her life on the line to help stop the terrorists along with Jack’s best friend Lee. They can trust no one as some government and military people may be involved with the terrorists. Too many things don’t add up. The clock is ticking as the suspected date of the attack is approaching.

All the locations mentioned in this book are real and the characters are based on persons that I knew over the many years I spent in Korea. I have tried to make the reader feel the Korean culture and differences between the USA and South Korea. Critical Incidents was one of my favorite stories to write.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My publisher and my CPA inspired me to write fiction books after I had written a couple of business books. They believed my experiences and travel stories would make good reading. I soon found out I liked telling my stories, but really liked the fact that others enjoyed reading them. The great reviews I receive are very rewarding. I am very lucky and pleased to have such great fans reading my stories.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

This is a hard question to answer. I will give a few that helped me as a young man to become interested in reading and writing. RED BADGE OF COURAGE, OLDMAN AND THE SEA, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, and THE HOLY BIBLE.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Writing a story puts me into another time and space. Once you get zoned in you become your characters. Writing is a lot like acting in that sense, but you are playing more than one part at a time.

What is a typical day like for you?

I don’t have a typical day that anyone else would enjoy hearing about. Actually, it is very dull, but when I am writing a book I like to wake early, usually about 5 am, grab a cup of java and then get on my computer banging out new ideas for the storyline. I might add that I do write in my private office, a totally quiet place. My best thoughts come early while my mind is fresh. I may stop to have breakfast with my wife after 2 or 3 hours. Then resume until lunchtime. After lunch I do research or phone calls that are related to my book. By 4 pm I am burned out and eat dinner, relaxing sometimes in front of the fire with my wife and dogs.

An Author however is always thinking about his book … how to improve it, or a new idea flows into your head for the storyline, so you make a note of it.

What scene from Critical Incidents: Korea – The Rok was your favorite to write?

In the beginning of the book is the car chase where Jack, Lee, and Mi-young are being chased in Gumi Korea on a stormy night by the Gumi gangsters. Yes, there are bad guys in Korea. Yes, there are gangsters in Korea. Every country has people who will do anything for money.

I have been driving in Korea many times and my driving skills are far superior than the average person in Korea. I had never written about a car chase so it fit in the storyline very nicely.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“In every truth is non-truth, and in every fiction there is non- fiction.” ~ Thomas H. Ward

Thomas H. Ward is the author of the new book Critical Incidents: Korea – The Rok

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