Interview with Rolf Hitzer, author of "Hoodoo Sea"

About the Author

Rolf Hitzer was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1959 and raised by his parents, Erna and Julius Hitzer.

Rolf attended Princess Margaret Elementary School, John Pritchard Junior High and Graduated from Kildonan East Regional Secondary School where he had majored in Culinary Arts.

Rolf is married to his wife Irma since 1997. Together they have a wonderful blended family with Rita and Clark Bodoano and Grand children, Alexandria, Patrick and Braeden. Jason and Leah Tutlies, and Grandson Easton. Mandel Hitzer, and the youngest Jessica Hitzer. Clearly the growth of his family is still a work in progress.

Rolf Hitzer has several passions besides writing, they include being at the log cabin on weekends. Spending time on the water with a fishing pole in hand. Wildlife viewing and especially Moose calling during the fall rut. Playing a range of Poker card games and a variety of board games.

Rolf is a Member of the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, The Manitoba Real Estate Association and the Canadian Real Estate Association. He is currently working on his second novel.

For more information on his book visit: http://www.hoodoosea.com/ .

About the Book

The government of the United States of America is on the verge of startling the world.

Billions of dollars had been invested in its space program.

And now, the moment of truth has arrived...

Scott Reed is the man for the historic mission. He is the Wing Commander chosen by the elite brass at NASA. The assignment to test flight the first speed of light craft, held top secret, was about to shock the world. The risk? Utter and complete failure. The reward? Being a part of the greatest human accomplishment ever known to mankind.

Major James Harrow, second in command of the four person crew, despised his Wing Commander. Harrow was a proud and patriotic American. What was NASA thinking when they selected a Canadian to pilot the voyage? There was no comparison as to who was the better skilled aviator. This was his time, his moment. Major James Harrow was about to prove to everybody they were wrong to bypass him as Commander.

The weather conditions were perfect and lift-off for the test flight was text book. The triumphant cheers from Mission Control in Houston were echoed all the way to Cape Canaveral. The silent fear of the first hurdle of the flight had been succumbed. All systems were go! That is, until the crew and SOLT-X1 entered the Bermuda Triangle...

Billions of dollars had been invested in its space program.

And now, the moment of truth has arrived...

Scott Reed is the man for the historic mission. He is the Wing Commander chosen by the elite brass at NASA. The assignment to test flight the first speed of light craft, held top secret, was about to shock the world. The risk? Utter and complete failure. The reward? Being a part of the greatest human accomplishment ever known to mankind.

Major James Harrow, second in command of the four person crew, despised his Wing Commander. Harrow was a proud and patriotic American. What was NASA thinking when they selected a Canadian to pilot the voyage? There was no comparison as to who was the better skilled aviator. This was his time, his moment. Major James Harrow was about to prove to everybody they were wrong to bypass him as Commander.

The weather conditions were perfect and lift-off for the test flight was text book. The triumphant cheers from Mission Control in Houston were echoed all the way to Cape Canaveral. The silent fear of the first hurdle of the flight had been succumbed. All systems were go! That is, until the crew and SOLT-X1 entered the Bermuda Triangle...

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to do an interview with me. This is what he had to say:

Where are you from

I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

When and why did you begin writing?

My writing began twenty years ago. Work had me writing numerous training manuals, in-depth proposals and website scripts.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

About fifteen years ago I came to the realization that I enjoyed the craft. Even though it was for business purpose, I began to have awareness of what words I would pen and how I wished to express the message. Even though I had no formal education or training, I believed in myself. It helped when the first article I had submitted was accepted and published. It was my first pleasure piece.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Turning forty I found myself staring into a mirror where I began to soul search my life to that point in time. I enjoyed writing, and so, my bucket list was born. At the top of my list, write a novel as a keepsake for our children.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I have a short attention span and this is reflected in my writing. The novel is at a fast pace, by design. And, simple plain English. I don´t enjoy reading wordy novels, I lose interest.

How did you come up with the title?

The novel begins in, Florida, and the plot takes a radical twist when the crew goes missing in the Bermuda Triangle. Hoodoo Sea is another name for this region and I was hoping curiosity and mystique with the title would entice people to try and give the book a read. Not sure if it worked out that way, though.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes, if you have faith, good will always triumph over evil.

How much of the book is realistic?

I did quite a bit of research on astronauts and had read countless interviews. This section of the novel is based on as much fact as I could gather in the plot. The one truth that stands out in my mind in the story is when one of the astronauts has an itch. When wearing a pressurized space suit, an astronaut isn´t able to scratch themselves for relief.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

The main character, also from Winnipeg, and the stories mentioned in the novel were real life events when I was growing up. Somewhat self-serving on my past.

What books have influenced your life most?

Louis Lamour, I can´t read enough of his books. I also enjoy James Patterson, Stephen King and David Baldacci novels.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

James Patterson, also a fast read with his style. I like it.

What book are you reading now?

Relentless, by Dean Koontz.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

This past winter I had read, Promise of the Wolves, by Dorothy Hearst. It´s her first novel and I can´t wait for her next book.

What are your current projects?

I´m working on my second novel at the moment. I hope to finish it by the end of next year, unless there is an agent out there that would like to sign myself up to a contract, I could kick my writing up a notch and finish sooner.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?

Geoff McCullough, he is the Executive Director at the Winnipeg Real Estate Board. He purchased six books just to hand them out to various people and has really chatted up the novel. I will always be grateful for his tremendous support of my writing.

Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, it would be a dream come true. I´m unknown, and like so many writers, maybe I´ll get that one break somewhere along this journey where financially I could dedicate my time to just write entertaining novels.

What do you think makes a good story?

Holding a reader´s interest where they want to turn the next page to see what is about to happen. When the reader finally finishes the book and they wish there was more to read. When a novel leaves me feeling this way, I was a slave to the story.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Hoodoo Sea, being my first novel and before I had started, I never had imagined how difficult, and dedicated, and consuming writing a book really is. I learned patience truly is a virtue.