WGI Writer Alan Mack wrote his book, “Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars” recounting his experience in an Army special operations force 20 years ago. Check out his interview and the link for the book below!
1. Tell us about your book:
The attacks of September 11, 2001, prompted the creation of a robust and deadly special operations force — Task Force Dagger.
Alan C. Mack, Callsign Razor 03, led one of two teams of MH-47E helicopters and armed MH-60s. Their two-fold mission – Personnel Recovery (PR) and Unconventional Warfare(UW) involved flying in terrain and weather previously not thought possible.
But, if that wasn’t enough, they pushed the flight envelope of their specially modified Chinooks to the limit and beyond.
Alan shares his behind-the-scenes perspective of the Horse Soldier’s infil into Afghanistan. He discusses the hunt for Usama Bin Laden at Tora Bora and describes his shootdown during Operation Anaconda. Years later, he chased Beau Bergdahl, rescued hostages in Iraq, and the Lone Survivor from the Kunar Valley.
Alan’s near-death experiences and frequent deployments not only affected him but pushed his wife toward prescription opioids. Her developing addiction led to friction as he kept her secret and continued to deploy.
He lived by his unit’s motto, Night Stalkers Don’t Quit! He wouldn’t quit on his unit – he couldn’t quit on his family. His story of success, tragedy, and ultimate happiness is as old as warfare itself.
• Every War has a human element — The untold story of a Night Stalker’s success, tragedy, and personal redemption.
• Ten years of deployments brought Alan monumental success and crushing sadness — both provide intriguing accounts of War, love, determination, and emotional resilience.
2. Tell us about the journey from idea to finished book:
My book idea started with an interview. Jim Defelice, a local author was writing a book and he needed information and perspective from me, a former Army special operations pilot. At the end of our talk, he suggested I write my own book, a concept I had been considering. You could say he planted the seed, but it didn’t take at that point.
Shortly after, I attended the movie premiere of TWELVE STRONG, written by Doug Stanton and produced for the theater by Jerry Bruckheimer. I enjoyed the company of the actors, writers, and actual team members for a pre-viewing icebreaker. But the after-party is what kicked me into gear. Jim Defelice once again suggested my stories would do well in a book or movie. That was it. The next day I started typing, not a memoir, but a thriller based on my history.
I couldn’t get an agent, but I wasn’t deterred. The experience of finishing a manuscript thrilled me. So I began anew with a memoir of my military experiences coupled with the challenges of my late wife’s prescription drug addiction.
I kept writing but still couldn’t land an agent. I reached out and found the senior acquisition editor for Pen and Sword Publishers and he loved my work. A contract followed shortly after and now I’m in the marketing phase as we wait for the publication process to end with a book launch.
3. How did participation in the workshops help you during the writing process?
My time spent writing was filled with self-doubt. Being a debut author is as close to being an outsider of the publishing industry as you can be. The WGI writing workshop helped confirm that my stories were worth listening to, and maybe even reading. My peer group was easy to talk to and supportive as they politely listened to my ideas. Listening to them describe and emphasize certain aspects of their stories helped me realize there are many ways to write and tell a tale.
4. How can people buy the book?
Amazon has a pre-order link and information will be updated on my website https://alancmack.com for more information.
5. What are you working on next?
I’m working on a thriller. I still think my original story, although originally poorly structured is a bestseller. I’m re imagining it and trying to rewrite it.
6. Do you have any ideas, advice or suggestions to share about writing?
My best advice is jot down the events you’d like to incorporate or produce a more formal outline if that’s your thing. All in all, just start writing. Don’t stop to correct grammar or structure, just finish the story. Walk away for about two weeks and go back and fix problems, don’t make it perfect, that’s not possible yet. Repeat and try again, each time polishing and repairing.
Attend a writing workshop.
While doing that, take time to read books in the genre and books on writing. I suggest Stephen King’s book, ON WRITING and THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, by William Strunk Jr.
Don’t quit.
