E. L. Crenshaw

 

E. L. Crenshaw has spent over three decades as an Aviation Electronic Technician with two different airlines. Born in North Carolina, and raised in Maryland, Crenshaw spent four years in the US Marines before embarking on his current career. After two years of work and hard research, Crenshaw has achieved two goals: publishing a mainstream action novel, and teaching readers about the need for passengers and crew to cooperate, especially in this time of air rage and highjackings. E.L. Crenshaw has spent over three decades as an Aviation Electronic Technician with two airlines, and has used this insider knowledge to craft ATC EMERGENCY CODE 7700. Although the book was written before the hijackings of September 11, Crenshaw believes that many people still take for granted the ease at which an airplane can be used as a weapon, and the huge responsibility the flight crew has in doing their job of transporting passengers to their destinations.I n his spare time, Crenshaw is an avid reader, and has been married to Linda for 16 years. They live in Washington State with their youngest son Kevin.

 

Page One: Tell us a little about yourself?

E.L. Crenshaw: I have been married to my wife Linda for some sixteen years. We live with our youngest son, Kevin who is now fifteen. In Federal Way, WA.I was born in Shelby, NC. At the age of five my family moved to Baltimore Md. Where I grew up. After high school I enlisted in the US. Marines, where I spent four years. The time I spent in the military prepared me for my long career in the Aviation field.

 

Page One: Why did you write ATC EMERGENCY CODE 7700? Was this written pre or post 9-11-01?

E.L. Crenshaw: One year after my discharge I landed a job with Eastern Airlines. For nineteen years I worked in the capacity of Airline Servicer, Customer Service, and then as an Aviation Electronic Technician. During the years I spent with Eastern I wrote several company slogans, once winning a regional award. As President of the BWI Chess Club, and Publicity Director for a short time with the Maryland Chess Association, I organized tournaments and wrote articles for the Local Chess Newsletter. In June of 1989 because of union and management problems, I left Eastern and started working for United Airlines as an Aviation Maintenance Technician in San Francisco Ca. Five years later I began to gather information and formed the idea's and the plot for my first novel ATC Emergency Code 7700. It was not until we moved to Federal Way, WA. In June of 1998, that I found the time and the right situation to sit down and pen my first novel. Although this book was written before 9/11/01, I think that many of the problems the flight crew has experienced with unruly passengers and air rage set the stage for something like this to happen.

 

Page One: At book signings, what do readers say to you about their interpretations of ATC EMERGENCY CODE 7700? What do they like about the book?"

E.L. Crenshaw: Many of my readers remark about how easy it was before 9/11 to gain access to a plane, and now that security is tighter, many don't seem to mind. I think the best way to stop a highjacking in the future besides having an air Marshall on board is to further isolate the pilots from the passengers and install camera's so the flight crew can see what's going on inside the cabin.

 

Page One: When you were in the Aviation industry was there ever much talk or concern with terrorist? Did you personally have any training in a highjacking situation?

E.L. Crenshaw: In the Aviation field today many of the employees have been given extra assignments in the wake of 9/11, to further secure the airplanes. Before the attacks happened all the employees acknowledged that it would not have been too difficult for a terrorist to strike. But now I think everyone in the aviation field is more aware and on the lookout for a bomb or terrorist attack.

 

Page One: What's the future of aviation control and security?

E.L. Crenshaw: I think as time goes on improvements in security and tighter controls by the FAA, will result in a little more of an inconvenience for the traveling public, but most people will accept the changes willingly.

 

Page One: What are your strengths as a writer? What was the most helpful writing technique/tool you learned as a writer while writing ATC EMERGENCY CODE 7700?

E.L. Crenshaw: As a writer I think I have developed over time the ability to research and organize information. This has proved very helpful when I have to go back and edit my work as every writer must.

 

Page One: To what writers' organizations do you belong? How have they helped you grow?

E.L. Crenshaw: A lot of my writing technique I learned from a freelance writer's course I completed last year through Harcourt Learning. I also would like to give a lot of credit to Kathy Ide, an Author herself for her tremendous help in editing my manuscript. I subscribe to and receive information from Booklocker.com, also Writer's digest. I occasionally attend book reading at the local Border's book store. The information I have received from talking and reading information from other writer's and enthusiasts helps me to continually refine my writing talents.

 

 

Page One: Tell me about your publishing experience -- You published independently with Trafford. Is it a difficult process to publish on your own?

E.L. Crenshaw: Publishing with Trafford has been a good experience all around. I Found that they worked with you on every detail, and were more inclined to let you use your own words. For new writer's I would say believe in yourself, and read books of other writer's, especially in the genre you like.

 

Page One: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing.

E.L. Crenshaw: Besides writing I enjoy reading, playing Classical guitar and Chess. I plan on completing at least one novel a year. And also trying my hand at some short fiction, or Sci-fi stories. To date I have completed two science fiction short stories. My inspiration for writing initially was Stephen J. Cannell. I also enjoy reading books by John Grisham, Tom Clancy, and a number of popular authors. I plan on taking more writing courses in the future, to develop and hone my writing skills and provide action packed page turners like my aforementioned contemporaries.