What's Your Story: Dr. Vincent Flynn

dr-vince-flynn.jpg

Background:
I am an Urologist in San Diego, CA.

When did you start reading Vince?
In about 2002, I noticed someone by my same name had a book published. I started reading them and am now hooked.

Which one of Vince's books is your favorite and why?
American Assassin.  It is Mitch Rapp at his best.

Do you have a favorite character and why?
Mitch Rapp , because he takes no advice and needs none.

Who do you envision when you read of Mitch and why?
The ultimate American patriot/hero. Even with John Wayne.

If you could be a character in a Vince Flynn novel, what would you be? 
Any doctor who patches up Mitch Rapp.

Is there anything else you would like to share relating to Vince and his novels?
Timely and accurate, catches the attention of even the Brass and those being written about.

What's Your Story: Vince Papale

Vince-Papale.jpg

Background
1976 was a time when Philadelphia fans were buried in 11 years of defeat, when Americans were battling the lingering effects of Watergate, the Vietnam War and a sweeping energy crisis. People needed a champion from their ranks, and a local schoolteacher answered their call. Vince Papale did the unthinkable and took on an insurmountable challenge…making the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 30-year old schoolteacher, who did not play football in  college, not only transformed himself into an NFL football play, but he was voted by his teammates captain of the special teams. He has since been selected by the fans as the best special teamer in the Eagles 75-year history. So incredible is his journey that Disney felt compelled to tell his story in the major-motion picture, “Invincible,” released in 2006.

Why did you start reading Vince?
I travel a lot for speaking engagements and I always have a book in hand; I am really into action novels. Maybe two or three years ago, at bookstore in an airport, I saw a book jacket for a political thriller, written by a guy named Vince that looked athletic in his photo. So, I picked it up. That is how my brain works. I guess that’s what happens when you take too many hits to the head.

Mitch Rapp jumped right out at me. 

I often think about what I would have done, almost as if what if I had another life, rather than teaching and football. I had thought about entering the Marines Corps or the Air Force after graduating from St Joseph’s University. I have always been very interested in espionage, Black Ops, Delta and the Navy SEALs. 

I meet a lot of those guys when I am speaking, and they make me think of Mitch Rapp, who is my favorite fictional character.

Plus, my daughter goes to Syracuse, and they have a tribute to the victims of the Lockerbie bombing.  I know in American Assassin Mitch’s girlfriend is portrayed as one of the victims.
All of these things combined, sometimes I can’t help but think Mitch Rapp is a real person.

Do you have a favorite book?
American Assassin.

I related to Mitch, coming out of college as a lacrosse star trying to make the CIA, just like I came out of college a track star and was trying to realize my dream of making the NFL.

Plus, Hurley reminded me of Dick Vermeil, who would break down guys down to decide who he was going to keep for the team and then he would build them back up. When the Eagles made the Super Bowl, a few years after he became coach, he had 12 guys left from the team he inherited and he called them the Dirty Dozen. When I read about Hurley it is Vermeil with a bit less sophistication, but that same drive. 

Who do you envision when you read about Mitch Rapp? 
I do see myself. We were two guys on a mission. Mitch was trying to make CIA with an advocate in Irene Kennedy and an apparent adversary that would become an advocate in Hurley. 

When I tried out for the Eagles, I had advocates in my father and high-school football coach, George Corner, and there was Dick Vermeil, who I thought at first was an adversary,  but who, in reality, was my advocate that was trying to drive me to the next level. 

I also see Mark Wahlberg when I read about Mitch Rapp. I was with him last week and I told him he should audition for the part for American Assassin. 

If you could be a character in a Vince Flynn novel, who would you be?
Definitely Mitch Rapp. Although, in The Last Man, I was a little freaked. It seems like he has aged so quickly and he has hardened. I liked it though. He has seen a lot, maybe too much. You see that happen in real life. 

Who do you want to win the Superbowl?
I was hoping for the Patriots. I am a New England Patriots fan to the max. I am such a fan of # 83 Wes Welker, Gronkowski and Tom Brady. I love the Patriots. So, if the Eagles are not in it, I root for the Patriots. 

What are you up to?
I was diagnosed with Stage I colon cancer around Memorial Day 2011. I had successful surgery, but March is National Colon Cancer month, and I will be attending conferences and participating in public service announcements.

I have a book out that I co-wrote with my wife Janet called, “Be Invincible... A Playbook For Reaching Your Full Potential”  aimed at helping readers reach their full potential. We all have things we have to overcome and decisions that were game changers. In a way, it is like “Chicken Soup For The Soul,” where there are stories of people that overcome incredible things. With each story, we provide an action plan for reaching your potential. Janet, who although she was portrayed as a bartender in the movie, was a world-class gymnast and is now a very successful realtor, entrepreneur, and she runs the Invincible show around here.

We will be publishing a “Born To Be Invincible” book targeted towards teens and young adults, with a similar structure as our previous book where we have role models and solutions, but geared towards topics ranging from bullying to nutrition.

We are in the creation stage of a new cable-weekly show called, “Born To Be Invincible.” Each week, I feature guests who have achieved the unthinkable and experienced what we call an “Invincible Moment.”

Plus, I am a tier 1 speaker and am presenting across the country, mostly to Fortune 500 audiences, but I really enjoy speaking at colleges and high schools as well. 

I am also working on a PBS special, but I cannot give too many details on that. 

Really, I am just trying to be a good dad and a husband. I have a teenage son, Vinny, who is a really good football player and wants to head to Stanford. He made an all-star team and came home with his jersey and it was my number, 83. I was getting all misty eyed so he busted my chops and he told me he chose the number because of Wes Welker.

I have a daughter, Gabriella, that is cheerleading at Syracuse and she wants to get into broadcasting.

Janet and I have been married for 19 years, and will celebrate our 20th anniversary in August. 

I call my family, my “why.” They are the reason why I do things and how I do things. They are my #1 motivation and we like to think that together we are an Invincible Team!

What's Your Story: Nick Searcy

Justified-Promo-Saison4-Art-Mullen.jpg

Background
Nick currently portrays Chief Deputy United States Marshal Art Mullen on FX's Justified, which Vince featured in the April 2012 edition of What’s Vince Watching?  His film credits include Fried Green Tomatoes, Nell, The Fugitive, Cast Away, Head of State, Runaway Jury, The Ugly Truth and Moneyball.

What did you think when you saw Vince recommend Justified to his fans?
It was exciting.  It’s exciting when you’re a fan of someone who is also a fan of the show.

A number of fans have thanked Vince for turning them on to Justified.  Do you have any insights on Season 4 for them?
Not that I could say.  They call us in about two months before the season starts and we have a long conversation with the writers about our characters and where the show could go.  We may get around to exploring my character more this season.

When did you know Justified was going to be a success?
I knew it would be a good show, because there were a lot good people that were involved.  After we did the pilot though, I thought it was going to be a hit.  It just had too many good elements.  Plus, any show that makes me the centerpiece will be a hit.

What type of books do you tend read?
I used to read a lot more books when I was younger, now it is more news.  I tend to read a lot of non-fiction, except for Vince.

Why did you start reading Vince? 
A friend turned me onto Vince about six years ago, and ever since then Amazon has me on speed dial and I get the books the day they come out and start reading.

What was the first of Vince’s books that you read?
Consent To Kill.

Do you have a favorite book or character? 
American Assassin.  I thought it was great, going back and getting the history of the Mitch Rapp.  It really deepened the character.  I really like every one of the books.  The characters are well written, the plot is interesting and the endings are satisfying. 

Who do you envision as Mitch Rapp when you read Vince’s novels? 
I guess I always envision myself.  I think everyone tends to put themselves in the role of the protagonist.  Although, I don’t see myself doing all of that running.  Because Vince’s picture is on all of his books, I also envision him as Rapp.

If you could be a character in a Vince Flynn novel, who would you be? 
Stansfield.

Who do you think should play Mitch Rapp in the movie?
My friends and I have chewed on that quite a bit, and to be honest we have not come up with anyone.  Mitch is a bit of a throwback, and he needs a Steve McQueen type of actor.

What's Your Story: Kate Spangler

kate-spangler.jpg

Background
I'm a Chicago native, but recently moved to Richmond VA with my husband. I have a background in biology (specifically in Molecular Weed Science), but currently work as a housewife and I love it! I enjoy running, gardening and the outdoors. 

Why did you start reading Vince?
I was on vacation with my boyfriend (who is now my husband) and his family in Aruba. His dad was reading Vince Flynn and brought along some extra books for the rest of us to read. I'm not usually a big reader, but I was immediately drawn in to American Assassin! I couldn't put it down! 

Do you have a favorite book?
I really enjoyed American Assassin because it helped me relate to Mitch Rapp and think of him as a normal person, not just a trained killer.

Do you have a favorite character and why?
Mitch is without a doubt my favorite! He is so smart and skilled at everything he does! He reminds me of my husband, however my husband is just a boring Emergency Room Physician-not an assassin! :-)

Who do you envision when you read about Mitch Rapp?
Maybe this is silly, but I envision my husband as Mitch Rapp! :-)

If you could be a character in a Vince Flynn novel, who would you be?
I would definitely want to be Greta because she's not only beautiful, but she's kind of knows how to kick butt too!

Is there anything else you would like to share relating to Vince and his novels?
My husband and I recently went on a relaxing honeymoon in Cancun and brought along some of Vince's books. The only night we stayed up past 10pm was when we were up until midnight finishing our books! (The picture attached is of me reading Kill Shot on the beach in Cancun!)

What's Your Story: Rick Barry

rick-berry.jpg

Background
Rick Barry is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, he was named to the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players list, and he is the only player in the history of the game to lead the NCAA, ABA and NBA in scoring for an individual season.

Why did you start reading Vince?
I started reading him several years ago, when someone told me I should be reading him.  

Do you have a favorite book?
I love all of Vince’s books. Mitch Rapp is one of the greatest characters of all time and I just pray they start making the movies soon.  

What book would you recommend to friends?
Every one of them.  They should start with American Assassin first and read each and every one. 

Who do you envision when you read about Mitch Rapp?
I envision myself.  I can’t stand bad people, and the fact the he goes out and kicks ass; I love it.

If you could be a character in a Vince Flynn novel, who would you be?
I would want to be a guy Mitch respected.  Someone he would come to for advice, and if he needed help, I would go along with him on assignments.

What’s your favorite aspect of Vince’s novels?
The other characters in the book are really cool, Stansfield and Kennedy; just exceptionally well developed.  It is fun to see how they have evolved.  Plus, the twists and turns in the stories are good; it is not all the same thing.  They are exciting books that you just can’t put down.

What’s next for you?
I am involved with a number of business ventures.  I am getting ready to launch a website and a blog about the basketball and the NBA.  Plus, I put together fishing trips to Alaska, where I know some of the best lodges.

What's Your Story: Brad Taylor

Brad-Taylor_credit_Rod_Pasibe_thumb.jpg

Background:
Brad Taylor, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.), is a twenty-one-year veteran of the U.S. Army Infantry and Special Forces, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta. He is the author of the NY Times bestsellers One Rough Man and All Necessary Force. He lives in Charleston, SC with his wife and two daughters. For more information visit him online at www.bradtaylorbooks.com.

With your military career, do you incorporate actual events you experienced into your writing? 
I shy away from including anything that has actually occurred to me, because most of that is classified. Having said that, it's impossible not to refer to things I've done or seen. It's the same as someone writing a scene in a grocery store. How would he or she do that? They'd think of a grocery store they had been in before and build the scene from there. It's the same with me. When constructing a scene, I use the knowledge I have. This leads directly to the next question, precisely because I do have a healthy appreciation for how the intelligence and military systems accomplish their missions, and sometimes this is classified. The last thing I want to do is give the enemy an edge, fiction or otherwise, so I do find myself studying a scene to make sure I haven't said anything I shouldn't. Sometimes I paint myself into a corner whereby I find that what I've written is inappropriate to describe to fans" simply because it's classified, and I'll go back and rewrite.

Why did you start reading Vince/What was the book? 
I was given the book Term Limits by a guy on my SF operational detachment while I was serving on Okinawa. Sorry to say it didn't give Vince any money, but that's when I began reading him.

Do you have a favorite book or character?
Obviously, it would be Mitch Rapp. Who wants to read about some milquetoast?

Who do you envision when you read about Mitch Rapp? 
No one. I let the author create the character, using what he envisioned. Certainly not me. Mitch Rapp can run a six minute pace for days, and has the call sign Iron Man. Definitely not me. 

If you could be a character in a Vince Flynn novel, what would you be? 
Ten years ago, it would have been Mitch Rapp, but that's pretty much been beat out of me. Now, probably Thomas Stansfield or a male Irene Kennedy. I'd want to be the one pulling the strings, the guy controlling the Orion team. 

As a writer in the political thriller genre, what makes Vince’s books compelling to you? 
Probably wish fulfillment. In reality, it's very, very hard to get missions accomplished, with a plethora of wickets to jump through. Make no mistake, the wickets are there for a reason, but it's nice to read about a guy that can be turned loose without any of the usual roadblocks. It's the same reason I write the series that I do, a sort of "if only they'd let this happen....". Having seen what I have, I wouldn't want Orion Team - or my own Taskforce - to exist in the real world, but it's fun to read about in fiction. More than that, though, it's because Vince gets it right on all of the little details. Nothing makes me put a book down faster than a guy shooting a .51 caliber sniper rifle or visiting the DCI on the fourth floor of the CIA. 

What are you working on currently? 
I just finished Enemy of Mine, the third book in the Pike Logan series, which will be out in January of 2013, and I'm currently pounding away on Book IV.