Charles Stewart

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Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I am 26-year combat veteran of Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror, with multiple deployments to the Middle East and Central Asia as a sniper. After retiring as an Operations Sergeant Major Charles continued to serve his country as a High- Threat Diplomatic Security Specialist with government agencies globally during that time I earned a degree. I retired in 2017 due to complications of previous wounds received while in uniform. I enjoy shooting, shooting instruction I am a Certified Instructor through USCCA. Wood working but I am at a novice level.

When and why did you start writing books?

In 2018 I was diagnosed with Severe PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), among a slew of other things, mentally and physically, due to wounds received in combat and Diplomatic Security. At one point in my life, I was in a dark place. I knew I had to do something to win this battle, or I would succumb to those demons. My wife, who, by the way, has been my best friend since 5th grade, and my daughter coaxed me into journaling to battle some memory loss and PTSD. My wife knew how creative I was with art growing up. She slowly got me to draw and paint. While I was doing that, I think she saw me journaling more. I knew as I wrote I was getting more creative. I genuinely believe it unlocks so much that I suppressed. When Covid hit, I thought I might write a book. To stay busy, I researched how to write a book, outlined it, and, within 90 days, finished my first novel, Cry of the Eagle. My New release, Sky Thunder, is the sequel.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

Allowing myself have the freedom of creativity. Once I wrote my first novel and started my second I could see my craft evolve and I was hooked.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Sky Thunder is my favorite published work. But I have one in the works that is really good. For characters I have a lot of strong women in my books. One character who is a bad ass that I introduce in Book 3 Rogue Vengeance her name is Railee Bowers she is a former Air Force PJ (Pararescue) Officer.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

The one I am writing now. The Price of Freedom the fourth book to the Colt Hawkins Series 100k words it is becoming a pivotal piece in the Colt Hawkins Series.

Who is your favourite author and book?

I have many, Tom Clancy for sure. I am a huge fan of W.E.B. Griffin when I was in the military I read his books religiously. It was his books that really got me to think about writing a book.

What book are you reading right now?

At the moment I am reading . Annie Jacobsen's Area 51 uncensored book. I am using a lot of her work as research for my 5th book Arch Angel

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

I have a sufficient amount of creative fairy dust in my head. The Colt Hawkins Series is made up with REAL people using for the most part their real names. Some of these people I worked with in the military or grew up with. So of my characters are true to life with most of their background intact. Then some are fictitious, I draw from real- life experiences from my career and my seven combat deployments. The beginning scene in my new release Sky Thunder, Colt is having a flashback that scene was a real life sniper mission in Iraq.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love watching and keeping up with my Tennessee Vols Football, Basketball, and Baseball. I like to build things novice woodworking that I want to expand on. I am a Shooting Instructor and have my own shooting range, I like to shoot. It is a perishable skill. I have worked too hard and long to lose it so I try to keep the rust off.

Do you have any new books in the works?

The 3rd book Rogue Vengeance is in final edit. I am about to finish the 4th The Price of Freedom, I am going to outline and get the first scene of my 5th book Arch Angel on paper then take a small break. At least that is the plan. But most of the time the next book is writing itself as I am finishing the current one.