INTERVIEW: Author Rod Haynes Says Give Yourself & Others Permission to Err

Welcome to the Tuesday Author Interview with Christina Boyd for the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

CHRISTINA: One of the most exciting aspects of attending an author conference is the chance to meet a diverse array of authors from various genres! This past April, I had the pleasure of attending the Chanticleer Author Conference in Bellingham, Washington, where I met Rod Haynes, an author who resides right here in my own Whatcom County.

When did you first feel the spark to write a book, and how did you embark on that journey? 

ROD: I have been maintaining personal journals, old family letters, and stories for years. I wrote my first book in 2000, Rogues Island Memoir, with Free River Press of Lansing, Iowa. Throughout my life, I have written stories and letters without stop.

CHRISTINA: What is your current project or latest release?

Rod, Gaeta, Italy. Med cruise, 1983. Courtesy the author.

ROD: I have two separate projects scheduled for release this summer. One is Unauthorized Disclosures: A Navy Memoir of the 1980s. Ingram distributors will publish Unauthorized Disclosures on July 01, 2025. In January 1980, I was on the brink of homelessness in Seattle. Seven months later, I became a commissioned naval officer in the United States Navy. I spent the next ten years traveling the world on active duty. The second project is a second edition, or revision, of Before the Scramble: A Scottish Missionary's Story. A distant relative of mine left Scotland in 1880 as a missionary, traveling to present-day Malawi in Southeast Africa to serve as an evangelical missionary for the Free Church of Scotland. He kept a journal of his travels. The book is based on the journal.

CHRISTINA:  Oh, those sound intriguing. My husband, a former US Navy officer, would surely be interested in reading those.

What do you think makes a good story?

ROD: A good story is engaging and captivating for the audience. It should resonate with the reader or viewer, making them think, "This is really interesting." The narrative must tap into fundamental human emotions such as humor, fear, desire, love, or the realities of life. It should be clear, coherent, and appealing. Authenticity is crucial; the story should create an emotional connection and be well-structured, featuring a beginning, middle, and resolution.

CHRISTINA: How did writing your first book change your writing process?

Unauthorized Disclosures by Rod Haynes

ROD: I learned to accept well-intended, constructive criticism. Writers should be open to feedback and prepared to try different approaches. For serious writers seeking to market their work, a good editing team, a talented artist for the book cover, and an honest collection of critics who offer strict but helpful feedback are all imperative. 

CHRISTINA: Indeed. Such good advice.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

ROD: A teacher of United States History at the college or community college level.

CHRISTINA: I can see that.

If you could tell your 21-year-old self anything, what would you share?

ROD: I would advise him to significantly reduce his drinking and drug use, to love himself more, to make the most of his youth in a positive way, and to understand that life is fleeting; it is a precious commodity not to be wasted. I would also stress the importance of kindness to others. Life is a challenging journey, marked by periods of great joy and occasional significant obstacles. Give yourself and others permission to make mistakes and learn from them is crucial. We only have a limited time on earth. Make the very best of it for yourself and those around you. 

CHRISTINA: Ha! If only our younger selves would take the advice.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions. I wish you much success on the release of these ambitious projects.

Rod Haynes, author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rod recently retired after nearly 30 years of service at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with locations in Seattle and San Francisco. A former naval officer, Rod has taught U.S. History at the university and community college levels. Rod Haynes has written numerous non-fiction books. His latest work, Unauthorized Disclosures: A Naval Memoir About the 1980s, will be published by Ingram in July 2025. Haynes holds degrees from Boston University and Ripon College in Wisconsin. Rod and his wife Daria live in Bellingham, Washington. They share four adult children between them. You can connect with Rod via his website. Bookstore | Rod Haynes