William R. Park, Sr.

 

Columnist, teacher, lecturer, and consultant to some of America's largest and most successful companies, Bill Park has been blessed with forty-two years as a nationally known and respected advertising executive - including the writing of thousands of newspaper/print ads and tv/radio scripts. Winner of national awards in print and television, his popular 'Ad Pulse' monthly column appeared in Modern Retailer Magazine in the 70's and again for Publishers' Auxiliary in the 90's.

Originally from Providence, Rhode Island Bill's career has taken him from coast-to-coast, including Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Norfolk, Virginia, to the Kansas City area, to Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, to the Kansas City area, to Atlanta, Georgia, to Fort Worth, Texas and finally back to the Kansas City area.

After leaving Rhode Island, Bill spent four years in the Air Force (1952-1956)...finishing that stint with SAC (Strategic Air Command) as a Crew Chief on a B-47 Stratojet Bomber. In the fall of 1956, Bill's advertising career began as an Art and Film Director for a CBS Television Station then on to Department Store Corporate Advertising assignments, Ad Agencies, and Consulting. Bill lives in the Kansas City area with his wife, Genie. Bill Park was just featured in an artcile in The Johnson County Sun.

Visit Bill online at www.wrparkbooks.com

 

"The grand finale of Bill Park's 'Franciscan Trilogy' - The Missing Hair Shirt - is a hair-raising, fast-paced adventure through the mysterious and mystical Himalayas - and a surprising, satisfying conclusion to a uniquely conceived series."

"'The Franciscan' is a fascinating tale and has great reader appeal. Readers who like intrigue and mystery in a colorful historical setting will enjoy Park's effort and will certainly look forward to his subsequent offering." The Sun Newspapers:

"The dream sequences are so detailed, and richly illustrated, that I could envision them myself. And touches that seem so light, yet carry so much impact - are beautiful, and lend so much to the characters, bringing them to life." Senior Editor/EricaHouse

"It's very, very good. The narrative has more twists, turns and terror than a roller coaster ride through purgatory. It's a ride worth taking." Publishers' Auxiliary

 

Pageonelit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

William R. Park, Sr.: My first eighteen years were spent in Providence, Rhode Island. Since then, life has taken me halfway around the world, courtesy of Uncle Sam–-and from coast-to-coast in this great land practicing my chosen profession, advertising.

I have no early recollection of being influenced by any particular writer’s style. My mentors were all from the advertising profession. Creative endeavors in early years and as a teenager were more in the area of commercial art. However, my favorite novels were: Cyrano de Bergerac, Man of La Mancha, Iron Men (a young squire’s rise to knighthood), and the James Fenimore Cooper Leather-Stocking Tales.

 

Pageonelit.com: Why do you write?

William R. Park, Sr.: I’ve been writing ads for both print and broadcast for over forty-two years–- including writing, directing and acting in television commercials. I fondly remember acting in a commercial where the script (that I wrote) called for the actor to fall off a horse while coming down Mount Sandia in New Mexico. I fell off nine times to get the right shot. That’s dedication to your craft.

My last monthly column for Publishers’ Auxiliary was in September 1998. The headline said it all: “Old Ad Men Never Die, They Just Reinvent Themselves.” I merely chose to channel creative abilities into another media–-and enjoy this new profession.

 

Pageonelit.com:  Your new novel is Overlay - Please Explain the title as it relates to the plot. You have authored four novels, how is Overlay different from your previous three?

William R. Park, Sr.:When I was in the air force, I was with the Strategic Air Command and my aircraft was a B-47 Stratojet Bomber. We had 75% of our planes in the air at all times. Practice bombing runs were made over the United States. Certain cities were make-believe targets that when printed on an acetate Overlay---corresponded with targets on the map of Russia. An American practice target city would, using the Overlay, line up perfectly over Moscow. In essence, when we were bombing that designated American city, we were practicing bombing Moscow. Rance Colby's Overlay blanketed the Middle East---and targeted Defense Ministers in various key countries.

The first three novels of my Franciscan Trilogy ( The Franciscan, The Alpha Search, The Missing Hair Shirt ), combined suspense, Vatican intrigue and murder, plus an unexpected adventure---with a unique theological message woven throughout the trilogy.

Overlay is a novel of political international suspense, intrigue, murder, betrayal, loyalty, and discovery---entirely different in concept.

Pageonelit.com: Rance Colby, Dubbed The Shadow Master by a previous president, is a covert ops specialist and a very complicated character - Where did the inspiration for this character come from? How would Rance describe himself?

William R. Park, Sr.: The character of Rance Colby and storyline came to mind in the early 1980's. I developed a beginning, middle, and end---and filed it away. Two years ago I dusted off the penciled outline ---placed it on my computer---and the characters wrote the plot.

Rance is not a self-absorbed kind of guy. He has too much confidence in himself---but if pressured---would reluctantly answer that he's a patriot first, and a easy pushover for an perilous adventure.

Pageonelit.com:   Many are already saying Overlay has "Hollywood film" written all over it -- If you can choose the actors who would you choose to play the parts and why?

William R. Park, Sr.: Well, if I were otherwise too occupied to play Rance, I would have to choose between Harrison Ford and Robert Redford. Of his two sidekicks: Arturo would be played by John Rhys-Davies and Al played by Sir Sean Connery. Both actors resemble the two men who were prototypes for both characters---and two of my best and most trusted friends.

Pageonelit.com: The Middle East, Greece and Russia play parts in Overlay - How did you research your settings for Overlay?

William R. Park, Sr.: I had limited experience in the Middle East via a tour of duty in North Africa. Traveled through Greece and Russia on the not-so-trusty Interned search.

Pageonelit.com: In your opinion and perspective what and should be attempted in the Middle East to bring peace to the rest of the world -- Currently do you think the US has started with Iraq and next up could be Iran as we work our way to China?

William R. Park, Sr.: Oh, what an evil web you weave. That's a loaded question. Perhaps Rance should field that one. As you learn from the novel, he could accomplish what troops on the ground could not---and disappear before anyone knew what happened. Rance is confident he could have accomplished Saddam's downfall without a hundred thousand innocent Iraqi deaths---over 1,500 brave American lives lost---and nearly 11,000 wounded and maimed men and women US forces.

Peace in the rest of the world? We don't have peace right here at home. Just pick up the newspaper, listen to the radio, or watch TV. We have battles going on all around us. The world has never known peace---and unfortunately it's a plague on humankind that must be collectively and continuously studied and addressed by all conscientious nations and people of this planet. And it will never be accomplished through warring threats and actions---especially overnight.

Iran? Perhaps from within. Have Bush call Rance to the rescue---and I'm not kidding here. China? China could bring America's financial downfall by refusing us any more loans and demanding immediate payment of trillions of dollars we owe. Wasn't that a smart move? We have met the enemy---and it's us!

Pageonelit.com: Will there be another Rance Colby book? What's next?

William R. Park, Sr.: As of today, there are three more Rance Colby novels in the works: The Dacian Resurgence---Sacrificed---Carpe Diem (Seize the Day). All the lead characters are back to entertain readers and whisk them away to colorful and foreign locations---and dangerous adventure, intrigue and suspense.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us about 'The Franciscan Trilogy' --- Volume I The Franciscan, Volume II The Alpha Search and Volume III The Missing Hair Shirt (to be released in 2002) -- How did this triology come about? Can each book be enjoyed alone or does one need to read the complete series?

William R. Park, Sr.: The Franciscan Trilogy documents the life of a courageous and inspiring man, his fearless best friend, Symon Carpenter, and their breathtaking adventures. As a book critic wrote of Volume I, The Franciscan: “It is an intriguing read–-weaving together two fascinating tales.” While the newly-elected and controversial Pope Francis struggles with fallout from his sweeping reforms, Vatican corruption, murder, assassination attempts–-his best friend, fresh from discovering an ancient manuscript (the second tale) that will profoundly effect the papacy, clandestinely enters Rome’s underworld to expose and stop the person who orchestrated the assassination attempts. As Pope Francis flees for his life amid Roman ruins, he makes a startling discovery of his own. The tale ends with an unexpected conclusion.

Our two protagonists step from the last pages of the first novel to Volume II, The Alpha Search. Another book critic’s early comment: “Great fun, and I’m only on page thirty-five.” proved prophetic as they are forced to confront one life-threatening exploit after another in their quest for the elusive ancient chronicles whose existence had been uncovered by Symon Carpenter. Miraculously avoiding plunging to their death from a monastery perched high above the Black Sea, held at gun-point by Turkish bandits, attacked at knife-point in a Cairo bazaar, shot at by assassins in a remote Ethiopian village, assailed by religious zealots in the Libyan desert–-are only a small portion of the ‘great fun’ the book critic discovered as she consumed the remaining pages. A dramatic and unforeseen turn of events shocks Symon and the Vatican–-and sets the stage for another surprise ending.

Volume III, The Missing Hair Shirt, opens as the preceding novel ended, transporting our characters to Beijing where they encounter a ruthless Chinese Security Colonel bent on their execution while pursuing them as they illegally enter mysterious Tibet. Action begins as their plane crash-lands in the Himalayas. Shocked at finding their old Franciscan mentor alive and teaching in a Buddhist Temple, they escape to a land where the earth moves under foot, and poison cult-tribes watch their every move. A breathtaking white water journey leads to a mind-boggling scientific discovery. The trilogy concludes with yet another unexpected surprise ending.

A reporter from a Catholic publication, extremely kind in his review, asked the same question. How did I come to write this particular trilogy? Upon reflection, I now believe it was the result of a thirty-three month long ‘spiritual-phenomenon’ that began in 1983 while residing in a monastery. The experience formed theological opinions that resulted in two productive meetings with an interested Archbishop–-consummating at the Vatican in August 1984.

The first novel’s genre is mystery-suspense–-the second is suspense-adventure–-but the last is pure adventure. Although each novel will stand alone on its own merits–-I would suggest reading them in sequence. A FOX TV anchorman suggested that the series would make a great feature length movie–-or a three-part mini-series for television…if any producers are reading this. Sorry, but I just had to give this a plug. Once a marketing man, always a marketing man.

 

Pageonelit.com: When will Volume III The Missing Hair Shirt be available?

William R. Park, Sr.: The Missing Hair Shirt is now available. It can be purchased immediately on www.1stbooks.com or toll free at 1-888-280-7715 (ISBN: 1-4033-1999-5) and is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Wal-mart, and a host of other sites as well.

Pageonelit.com: 'The Franciscan Trilogy' takes the reader on an adventurious journey to far away places ---Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libyia, the Himalayas, Tibet and the twisting, snaking Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge -- As the author have you traveled these distant lands? How did you capture the landscapes and settings?

William R. Park, Sr.: The Vatican’s, Rome’s and Assisi’s descriptions were the results of my visit to Italy in 1984. At Uncle Sam’s expense, I lived in the North African desert and visited Libya–-so I could relate to my character’s experience in that location. Some of the harrowing events of my shooting the rapids down the Colorado River were used in my character’s Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge raft adventure. Depictions of history, landscapes, and people were enhanced by library and Internet research.

 

 

Pageonelit.com: One reviewer said you had created your own genre -- What's your thoughts? What genre do you feel 'The Franciscan Trilogy' would best represent?

William R. Park, Sr.: I don’t know about creating a new genre. That’s rather presumptuous. Although a different book critic seemed to agree when he wrote: “Give the author a round of applause for introducing a new type of action hero.” When asked, I say the trilogy is a combination of mystery-suspense-adventure.

 

Pageonelit.com: You are an experienced published author - What advice can you offer for those writers who are working on their first novel?

William R. Park, Sr.: First, have faith in your creative ability. Second, work on perfecting your craft. Third, don’t give up. Ever. Fourth, follow your bliss. I personally feel that outlining each chapter is limiting in nature. Some authors do, others don’t. I know the beginning and the end of the story in advance–-and some of what goes on in the middle. I let the characters take it from there. They seem to have a life of their own. At times I want them to go right, but they refuse and turn left. More times than not, their way proves to be more exciting. Often, they open up avenues I hadn’t even thought of.

 

Pageonelit.com: What has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of your books?

William R. Park, Sr.: I’ve been pleased with the novels’ reviews, but the enthusiasm displayed by readers has been most rewarding. Especially when readers come up to me at Book-Signing events and ask: “When’s the next novel coming out? I loved the first book (or the last two) – and can hardly wait to see what happens next to Dom and Symon.” They tend to talk about the books’ characters as though they were real.

 

Pageonelit.com: Who are your favorite writers and why?

William R. Park, Sr.: I’m partial to mysteries and suspense. There are several male and female authors that specialize in middle-ages mysteries, like Kate Sedley. I’m hooked on them. Elizabeth Peter’s Egyptian mysteries are a favorite (I wanted to be an archeologist when I was a kid)–-as well as novels by Tony Hillerman, Jake Page, Michael McGarrity, Rudolfo Anaya (I love the southwest)–-and of course there’s Christian Jacq, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum to name a few more. They’re always on my reading list.

 

Pageonelit.com: What's next?

William R. Park, Sr.: As of now, I’m over four hundred pages into an international-suspense-thriller called: OVERLAY. I’ve been playing around with the novel’s concept for about fourteen years. It’s written in an entirely different style. Tight. In fact, it was the novel I had planned to write first, until The Franciscan Trilogy popped into my head four years ago.

 

Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read?

William R. Park, Sr.: ‘Up Country’ by Nelson DeMille. It may not be true, but the author appears to me to use the novel’s fiction story as a vehicle to offer his opinion on the Vietnam War–-much like I utilized the trilogy to voice my opinion on the issue of what the Catholic Church needs to do to reform, and strengthen itself–-and broaden its reach to those Catholics who feel abandoned.

 

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

William R. Park, Sr.: When I was in the advertising field, it was my hobby. Now that I’ve invested my time as an author, it has become my hobby. I’ve enjoyed both professions so much, that I crave no other outlet. Through the years, friends have tempted me with golf–-but my answer was always: “I don’t want to do anything that will control me, like golf.” Come to think of it, that’s exactly what advertising and writing have done. I enjoy reading and watching NFL and college football on TV.

I find the best way to enhance my writing skills, besides ‘just doing it’, is by reading. There’s always an open book by my easy chair. The weakest element of my writing is grammar–-and my high school English-teacher wife, Genie, does her best to ‘correct’ my material. Note: She does not refer to it as editing. The teacher in her insists on referring to the effort as ‘correcting.’ And man, does she!