First time author, former Naval Intelligence officer and Ponte Vedra resident Mike Green always aspired to be a writer.
How did you get to Ponte Vedra?
My parents moved here in the mid 70s. I kept coming back here. I kind of have an affinity for Ponte Vedra.
How would you describe your debut novel, Path of Thunder?
It’s kind of an onion — there are a lot of layers.
How did you get from Naval Intelligence work to writing a novel?
My father said I should write some of the stuff I experienced down. I’ve always aspired to be a writer. I always wanted to write a novel. I think there are a lot of messages in there that readers would enjoy.
What is your favorite thing about writing?
It’s a wide open road. I can write whatever I want and I like that. There are no rules in writing. If it works, then that’s the rule.
What is the most challenging part?
When you put together a 300 page book you have a lot of plots and subplots that have to move the main plot forward.
Is the book self published?
It is. I sent samples to some of the bigger publishing houses but I figured if I put my hopes in that the odds were pretty low. [Some people] see self publishing as the height of vanity — but I believed in the book.
Do you have a favorite scene in the book?
There is a lot of me in the book. When I was young I remember staring at the horizon on the beach and wondering what was on the other side. I was on the beach on the West coast of Africa and I looked from side to side and there was no sign of mankind and I remember thinking, this is what was on the other side. There are a lot of scenes [like that one] that come from my personal memories.
Where is the best place that you’ve traveled?
Two places I keep thinking about going back to are Garmisch, Germany and Sevilla, Spain. They were enchanting.
What about places you want to go?
There aren’t a lot of those. But I’d like to go to Japan and Australia.
What do you hope to accomplish with this book?
I want to give readers some food for thought on geopolitical situations. I hope that people will look at world events differently after reading this.
What is something people don’t know about you?
I used be an avid cavern diver.
What is the best thing about Ponte Vedra?
Aside from the wonderful weather, I’m around people that I can relate to and feel comfortable with.
What has the response been so far for the book?
The feedback has been so positive — it’s really exciting.
September 19th 2009 - 4:47AM