Author Interview: Allen Cheesman
- Angel Ramon
- Nov 25, 2017
- 7 min read
It's been awhile since I've done an author interview, I just been that busy with my awesome adventures. However, after releasing my newest book I decided to catch up with some authors and meeting some new friends. I had the honor to bump into this U.S. Veteran, what makes this vet so special to me at least is that he's into Science Fiction, which is right up my alley. We introduced each other and began to get to know each other a little better. Allen Chessman is a retired vet, but also an avid reader of Sci-Fi. I should recommend my series to him, hehe. He also enjoys playing D&D as well. So sit back and enjoy as I interview Allen. He is working on an epic Sci-Fi series, by the way.
1. Why did you choose to be an author?
Great question. I’ve written military reports, documents, training programs, instructional material, and prepared command briefs for over 31 years during my career in the US Army into post-retirement, while working as a federal civilian employee at Headquarters, US Army Medical Command. As a history student, I’ve refined my research abilities and writing skills through preparing research papers. Having said this, when the concept for my story came to me about 4 weeks ago, it dominated my thoughts and I had to capture it within a document. I absolutely had to write the epic tale. Now that I’ve begun the journey, really enjoy developing the characters and the storyline. I am constantly seeking knowledge and wisdom from successful authors as I go. The creative possibilities for this new world are infinite, so I see 8-12 books or more that I will write.
2. What is your inspiration to write Science Fiction?
As a kid, I grew up watching the Apollo space flights, witnessed the broadcast of Neil Armstrong’s moon walk. I wanted to be an astronaut. I also loved watching great original science fiction shows, like Star Trek (the original series), the original Battlestar Gallactica, Logan’s Run, and of course, the first Star Wars. I was an avid reader of science fiction and player of Dungeons and Dragons. From then and through today, I love reading and watching anything that stretches the imagination beyond what is normal.
3. What will your series revolve around or in other words what is the premise?
It’s Thanksgiving morning, 2019, and the world is on the brink of all out nuclear war. Russia,
China, and North Korea have allied against the United States. Russia has massed troops and equipment along its borders with Belarus, Finland, and the Ukraine. Russia and China have massed the same along the Demilitarized Zone in North Korea. Russian long-range bombers are constantly “accidentally” flying into US airspace. The US increases its defense readiness to DEFCON 2.
Meanwhile, the Solar Dynamics Observatory at the Goddard NASA Space Center observes the sudden appearance of two sun spots triple the size of Jupiter. The magnetic properties for the spots are 3,100 times more than usual and growing. Eventually, the spots connect through a powerful magnetic solar plasma coil, and NASA scientist predict an imminent solar flare or worse yet, a coronal mass ejection (CME) 7-10 times more powerful than any known or recorded by man. The Carrington Event of 1859 seems miniscule by comparison. Information about the threat from the sun leaks to the press, causing worldwide panic and riots. Russia continues to press on with its agenda and NASA predictions come true. The solar plasma coil connecting the sun spots has grown significantly and now loops far out from the surface of the sun, thrashing violently. The spots and coil suddenly erupt is a CME that throws hundreds of tons of super charged protons hurdling towards the Earth, which only takes 8-10 minutes to reach the magnetic belts. The Earth’s atmosphere lights up a brilliant green while the solar storm fries some satellites and power grids. Scientists are worried that when the solar plasma reaches the Earth within 8-12 hours, it will rip away the atmosphere.
As the world remains in a panicked state, two large spheres of brilliant light blue plasma flash into existence 500,000 miles out from the Earth and in the path of the solar plasma. One sphere is the size of the Earth and the other is significantly smaller. Scientist cannot explain where the spheres came from. The sky is lit up by brilliant dancing green from the Aurora Borealis now visible all around the world. The solar plasma hits the spheres, deflecting away from the Earth. The world rejoices and believes the danger has passed, only to learn that two spheres are now moving towards the planet. The expected result of the impact is an extinction level event (ELE). The smaller sphere impacts Columbia, Brazil, and Panama in a bright flask of bluish-white light, but does not produce the effects predicted. The other larger sphere hits all of Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East, China and Southeast Asia, Australia, and all the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii, producing the same brilliant flash if bluish-white light.
All communication with the affected areas dies. When the US sends recon aircraft to investigate by flying over Ireland and England, the pilots report the complete absence of infrastructure. No signs of civilization at all. In fact, old growth trees and vegetation covers this and all the other lands as well, but there’s more. Recon pilots report dinosaurs and indigenous peoples during further
exploration. Scientist hypothesize that the spheres caused a massive temporal displacement event that reverted the impacted areas back to the Pliocene Era. Exploration of Columbia, Brazil, and Panama reveals advancement in time to a post-apocalyptic period yet to be determined.
Canada and the US are now the dominate super powers on the globe and the countries agree to joint world exploration and reclamation. The representatives of the now non-existent countries at the United Nation protest that the lands still belong to them. The US and Canada decide to dissolve the United Nations, thus ending the protest claims. The race is now on between surviving countries of the Western Hemisphere to claim and colonize the “New World.” Corrupt and greed driven companies within the US make haste to claim the oil rich Middle East and the precious metals and stones deposits throughout the world, which the US and Canadian Armed Forces attempt to halt. The affected areas remain unstable, temporally, making exploration hazardous. The creatures, diseases, epic battles, scandals, life threatening adventures, new found loves, and more create unlimited new beginnings throughout the Phazed World Series.
4. What authors inspired you to start writing?
I have many favorite authors. The ones who truly inspired me are Stephen M. Stirling, Harry Turtledove, Terry Brooks, and Patricia Finney (aka PF Chisholm).
5. We spoke a little bit and you’re planning an epic series, will this be your bread and butter or do you plan to move to other genres?
Phazed World is only the beginning of my journey as a writer. The blank page is my canvas and the possibilities are infinite. I’m looking forward to sharing with the world.
6. What is your favorite part of writing?
The unlimited creative possibilities. Anything is possible, and I intend to see where this takes me.
7. What is your least favorite part of writing?
There never seems to be enough time.
8. I will always respect a veteran and I thank you for your service to this country. Did your experiences as a solider give you any inspiration to become an author?
I served primarily in air traffic control, air defense artillery, and in recruiting operations during my 25-year career. I served in all levels of leadership culminating in retirement as a Command Sergeant Major. Post-retirement I served as a Senior Management Analyst within the Strategic Communications Directorate at Headquarters, US Army Medical Command. It was both an honor and a privilege to have been able to serve. I intend to apply my experiences and the knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through my service.
9. Do you love reading sci-fi mostly or do you have other genres you love reading?
I read sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction.
10. Who was your inspiration to become an author from your personal life?
I have been married to my lovely wife, Tiffany for 31 years, we have four wonderful kids who are all grown now. My family is my inspiration for everything that I have done and continue to do. As a disabled and retired veteran, I now have time invest in writing.
11. When can we expect your first book to be out?
I am working hard and fast on the first book in the Phazed World Series, “A New Beginning.” Having said this, I anticipate releasing this epic novel in May of 2018, at which point I will press on with the second nook (title to be determined).
12. How do you plan to market the book and spread the word?
I am currently building my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I have a website that I am working on and will of course establish an e-mail list once I complete it. I will employ the skills I used while working in strategic communications for Army Medicine. I am also learning from other successful authors while making new friends and building a network. It is important to build the Phazed World brand while maintaining a personalized relationship with followers and fans of the series.
13. What would you say to anyone who wants to become an author?
Go for it! There is nothing stopping you. Write about your passion, your experiences in life, or whatever your heart compels you to share with the world. Let your voice be heard!
14. Finally, the stage is yours! Say anything you wish to say, even if it’s just thank you.
Many thanks for this opportunity to share information about myself and this epic new series! The support and the encouragement I have received from other authors, both new and established, and more importantly, from followers and fans of the series has been overwhelming. I am truly appreciative and grateful. I look forward continuing the journey. Hold on! The adventure is just beginning!
Follow me on:
Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/fantasywriterac/
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/FantasyWriterAC/
Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fantasywriterac/
Contact me at: fantasywriterac@gvec.net
Check out Allen's Bio by clicking here!
