An author with an interesting and productive lifetime career.
Please, introduce yourself. Tell us about your personal life, family, education.
Cliff Deane. I grew up in So. Charleston, WV. I left school at 17 and joined the Army Cavalry as a Private. I spent 10 years enlisted and 25 years commissioned, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry. I retired in 2000. I settled in the Prescott, AZ area some 15 or so years ago. I live in an RV Resort in my 42’ RV with 5 slide outs. We have large swimming pool, gym, library, game room, and have activities ongoing nearly every day.
I hold a High School GED, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, History, and English from The University of Charleston. I also hold a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Management from West Virginia. Lastly, I am a graduate of the Army Command & General Staff College.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Drive my ’85 Mercedes Benz 380 SL convertible roadster, Read, write, and snuggling with my dog, Levi.
Describe your work or business activities in which you are presently active.
Retired
Do you have hobbies? How did you get started in them?
Since my right shoulder has been replaced 4 times, I can no longer play golf, so I began playing the World Golf Tour (online). I have always enjoyed Texas Hold’em, so I play regularly on the World Poker Tour.
If you are a writer, are you an avid reader?
I am absolutely an avid reader, but mostly my reading is research related. I also am a Beta Reader for my friend, Author AJ Newman, who has 48 books currently in publication. Before I begin working on a new book outline board, I spend months in research.
What is your ultimate writing goal as you see it today?
Simply put, my ultimate writing goal is to write stories people will like.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I wrote my first SciFi book at age 9. It was terrible, but my mother was so supportive I continued to write outlines/notes for books to be written some 40 years later. It is difficult to find time to write a novel while in the military.
How do you decide on the title of a book?
Normally, the title comes to me near the end of the first draft, though I have changed titles just before publishing.
Have you developed a specific writing style, and why?
Most of my books are written in the third person, but my last two are my first jump into the first person.
What portion of your books are realistic and experiences based on someone you know or events in your life?
In my Vigilante series, I used much of myself in both my military background and specific actual events.
Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
I began reading Robert Heinlein from age 8. He put his hooks into me quite early. Nothing would honor me more than to be mentioned in the same sentence as Mr. Heinlein.
Do you remember the first book you read?
The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything, by John D. MacDonald. I was around 12 at the time. I devoured every book he ever wrote. I believe around 87(ish).
Is there an author, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
If you could not write, how would you express what you wish to convey through any stories? The highs & lows of being a professional soldier at every level, from Trainee to my terminal rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
When you see new authors struggling, what single piece of advice could you give them on a moment’s notice?
Write something every single day. You will get better with experience. Write the way people speak. Learn those dialects to become a dialectic writer.
How do you want others to see you or remember you? Is it important to you?
The way I want people to remember me is as follows: Cliff Deane loved his God, lived by the Commandments and was a good man who loved to help his friends and neighbors. How could there be a better legacy than that? Oh, wait, I should add that I am not a man who critically needs people, but must have a dog
Sadly, no one pays much attention to most authors until they are dead, so no, I write because I have stories to tell. My stories are there if anyone should want to read them.
Do you have a blog or website viewers can visit for updates, events and special offers? Include links to any and all of your sites.
Yes, but as I have not written anything new for a couple of years, the site needs much work before I am willing to share it.
Amazon Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/mrxschem