BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Jungleland: White Hawk Aviation Stories [2]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with returning author M.T. Bass to talk about his latest release, Jungleland (22 October 2020, Electron Alley Corporation, 221 pages), an Adventure, book two in the White Hawk Aviation Stories series.

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to M.T. Bass; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

Here at BooksChatter we love music; do you have a music playlist that you used in Jungleland, or which inspired you whilst you were writing it?

"This playlist is one of my favorites of all time. It is actually the “score” for one of my earlier novels, called Crossroads."

What was the inspiration for Jungleland?

"In my very first book, My Brother’s Keeper, the main character is a former World War II fighter pilot, who is working as a movie stunt pilot in 1950 Hollywood. I always planned on it being the beginning of a series, with Hawk getting involved in different aviation adventures. Jungleland was the opportunity to get him back into flying military missions as a mercenary during the Congo civil war in the Sixties."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Well, I’m a Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor, so the story certainly reflects my deep interest in aviation. I grew up watching Sky King episodes on TV and wanted to recreate it in my own way."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Jungleland - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The cover fits in with a theme I decided upon with my very first book. I was searching for a particular visual style that would be immediately recognizable as mine, like the covers of Kurt Vonnegut, Carl Hiaasen, or Joseph Heller’s novels. Then the most important part is getting the front picture right.
I knew I wanted a T-6, which is what Hawk flies in Jungleland. It took me a while to get the right combination with the road and the church steeple. My girlfriend, Lora, is a photographer and I used her pictures."

Why should we read Jungleland and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I think if you like airplane stories, like Stephen Coonts (he was in my flying club in Colorado) or Dale Brown books, it’s a good fit for you. Of course, there is the possibility of a romance story with Ella, the missionary doctor, but the main theme was to get Hawk out of his comfort zone fighting in a strange land."

Can you tell us something quirky about Jungleland, its story and characters?

"One of my favorite characters is Sparks, who is based on a couple of men I know. One is a friend of Lora’s who is a crusty old country boy—about eighty now. He served in the Marines and, well, he’s just got a way with words. Our neighbor James is the other guy. He was a curmudgeonly guy who called everybody (including me, I presume) “Idiot.” Down deep, though, they were both marshmallows."

Who would you recommend Jungleland to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"The White Hawk Aviation stories are specifically written to be PG-rated for language and sexual content, but the novels deal with real-world issues—murder in the first book and a brutal civil war in Jungleland. The stories are definitely not Hallmark Channel material."

If you could / wished to turn Jungleland and the White Hawk Aviation Stories series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

Kevin Costner & Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham

"For a director, I’d definitely pick George Roy Hill, who filmed The Great Waldo Pepper. And actually, a young Susan Sarandon would be an excellent choice for the role of Ella. Robert Redford would be an okay pick for Hawk, but I actually think the dynamic between her and Kevin Costner in Bull Durham would hit the right note for their relationship."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I don’t read just one genre, so why should I just write in only one? If I get a good story idea or character, I go with it and see where it takes me. I have murder mysteries, suspense, romance, satire, young adult dystopian, and sci-fi stories."

What is your writing process?

"I get up in the morning and just start piling up words. Pretty funny how after a while you suddenly have a book."

What is in store next?

"I’m about halfway done with the rough draft of my fourth Murder by Munchausen sci-fi police procedural story, called Motherless Children. Then, I’m researching a follow-up book for Jungleland. It’s called Racing the Dream and follows Hawk as he flies Formula One planes in the Cleveland Air Races."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I have a Labrador-Catriever named Frank. He’s half dog and half cat."

Oh, yes, we remember Frank! Great to see him again. Lots of head scratches to you, Frank, from all of us at BooksChatter (which includes our 16 monsters - five blackies like you 😉).
Thanks again for sharing Frank with us, M.T.; we hope you are having a great tour!