BEST SELLING AUTHOR- ACE COLLINS

Welcome, Ace. Can you share a little about your recent book –

The Cat’s Eye came out in August and it is the first full-length novel from the In The President’s Service series. Since Helen Meeker’s debut in The Yellow Packard, I have written and Elk Lake has released twelve short novels outlining her adventures during World War II, this book, because of its length and complicated plot, really expands the lead’s character as it combines action/adventure with a complicated whodunit and a touch of love. I’ll share the back cover blurb with you to give you a bit of a feel for this one…

The Cat’s Eye Has It All—

A Kidnapped Child, a Murdered Japanese Woman, A Secret Nazi Project

Helen Meeker is immersed in a perverse game where lives are cheap, faith is in short supply, death is a constant companion and the action never stops. A kidnapped Norwegian child, a murdered Japanese-American woman, and a secret Nazi project hidden inside a mountain build into a breathless adventure that literally spans the globe. The Cat’s Eye, Ace Collins’s first full-length novel since The Yellow Packard, finds Helen Meeker challenged to solve the perfect crime in Chicago as well as to go behind enemy lines to destroy a German super weapon. With the help of her mysterious partner Teresa Bryant and a host of colorful teammates, Meeker confronts a hitman, a gambler, a top Nazi leader, and SS officers and escapes bomb blasts, gunfire, and lethal double agents. Along the way, she employs all her athletic skills, instincts, and intelligence when confronting the brightest mind in all of Germany and the most desperate industrialist in the United States.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I was writing when I was in third grade, so storytelling is a natural part of who I am. In a very real sense, I’m just doing what my grandparents used to do as they entertained me with their stories on the front porch of their Arkansas home.

Each of my books has a theme and a lesson. In general, my novels follow the adventures of reluctant heroes — those who didn’t want to be placed in a heroic position but find themselves there in spite of their hesitancy. I think the goal of any book, mine or others, has to be to entertain the reader. Without that facet then no one is going ever learn the lessons you have placed in your storyline.

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?

I actually have been writing for over three decades professionally. I quit a job in public relations when I got my first contract. Thanks to a friend in the entertainment business that opportunity just came my way. It took a few years to get that second contract though so for years I substitute taught in schools and did other odd jobs as well. Also wrote about 2,000 magazine features during the lean years.

How long does it take you to write a book?

My nonfiction books can take as long as six months. There is so much research that must be done in nonfiction. I can write, edit and rewrite a full-length novel in less than three months.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I am a night person so I am most creative later in the day. Thus, the grunt work happens before noon. I tend to write in the afternoon and early evening and edit and rewrite in the mornings.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I often get book ideas in church so I have a lot of church bulletins with quick novel outlines scribbled on them.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

No doubt it was winning The Christy for The Color of Justice. I was very proud of that book and its message and it thrilled me that others noticed as well. In nonfiction, it has been the success of all my Christmas books beginning with The Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas. Hitting #3 on the overall Amazon sales list was something I never expected.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

I’m such an upbeat person, I don’t think I have one. Sure I’ve had bad reviews, but that is a matter of taste, not everyone is going to like what I create, but I really don’t recall any dark moments even when I was struggling early in my career.

Which of your books is your favorite?

I mentioned The Color Justice earlier, and it tops my personal charts, but I do love writing the In The President’s Service series. To take a character and expand her over the course of now more than 700,000 words has been both a major challenge and a joy! It is every author’s dream to create a character you can live with for a long time.

Who is your favorite author to read?

Let’s go way back to Mark Twain. Of modern authors, I like Clive Cussler’s early stuff. I also love detective novels from the 30s and 40s by Raymond Chandler and others. Most of what I read is historical or biographical.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened to?

I get to give this advice when I talk to college students each semester. I tell them this…if you truly believe in an idea never give up on it. My bestselling book was rejected twenty-seven times over a decade before finding a home. Also, writing is a team sport; you are only as good as the editors and marketing folks who are a part of your team. So the success you have is because of them as much if not more than it is because of your work.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

As I mentioned earlier, my bestselling book was rejected twenty-seven times over a decade. I still get rejected all the time. But if you believe in what you are writing you have to keep plugging. So I never give up on something I think has potential.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

I like the characters that are a part of my In The President’s Service series because I have had a chance to get to really know them over fourteen books. That makes them very real to me. There was a scene in The Color of Justice where an older African-American maid, Hattie, talks about prejudice and mentions sneaking a drink from a “white only” water fountains. Her remarks and insight during that narrative blew me away. Yes, sometimes the characters write the words for you!

Where do you get your ideas?

In truth, a single phrase can lead to a whole novel as I turn it over in my mind.

Also, a lot of my ideas come from just observing life, but I also listen to a great deal of classic radio drama from the 30s and 40s. The writing style used in those programs is very similar to the rhythm and pacing I employ in my books.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Thinking their work is art and shouldn’t be altered by anyone else. We need editors to point out our holes. So writers must listen to the points of views of others and work with them in order to have a final polished product.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

This is a question I am asked a great deal and my answer is always the same, find a place to get your work published…even if it is initially for free. You have to have a body of work to prove you can tell a good story, so look for places to get bylines.

 

Ace Collins. Citing his Arkansas heritage, Christy award winner Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Collins has authored more than eighty books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture, and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a television special and been featured on every network morning TV show.

Collins’ hobbies include sports, restoring classic cars, Wurlitzer jukeboxes and running. He is married to, Dr. Kathy Collins, the Chair of the Department of Education at Ouachita Baptist University. The couple lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and has two grown sons