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

Clayton L. McNally: I grew up in Northern California until moving to Connecticut at the end of my freshman year in High School. Writing hadn't been important in my life until moving to Connecticut. My High School senior English teacher got me into writing and I haven't stopped since then. Reading has always been very important and a way of relaxation to me.

I have always been influenced by honesty and integrity; Not just the words but the value they impart into people willing to live by them as principles. Too much of our world has lost sight of them. I have watched countless men and women of good moral fiber lose their honesty or integrity.

Life is abundant with variety, beauty, and wonders to stagger the mind. Only the open minds of many people will see us "To the Stars". Our future -perhaps our legacy - is the frontier outside of our solar system. With the billions of Galaxies before us, how can mankind not rise to the occasion of exploration?

Space has been the strongest influence on my life since I first started daydreaming stories of space when I was in the second grade. There has never been a time when some thought of space wasn't in my mind. I grew up with Lost in Space, Stark Trek, Star Wars and Battle Star Galactica - my series Galactic Star Force is none of these and more.

Booksandauthors.net: Why do you write?

Clayton L. McNally: I write to relax. I found early in life that reading was a fun way to relax. It really didn't matter what I read when I was younger. Today I operate a software company (Knowledge Tree, Inc) and a Martial Arts school (East West Karate). Both keep me going from late in the evening until about 9 pm. Sitting down at the PC and writing off a few pages every night relaxes me.
It is exciting to create something from nothing, to build a Universe based on information available today. One day we will venture "To the Stars" and we will meet other species, I hope we can do so strongly, firmly and in peace.

Booksandauthors.net: Do you prefer to read and write in the sci-fi genre over others? Why or why not?

Clayton L. McNally: Typically I read mostly Sci-Fi over anything else, but I do read other works. I like mystery and suspense a lot. I really enjoy active, engaging Sci-Fi with lots of action. I like philosophy embedded but just lightly so I don't have to stop and think through something too deeply. It's not that I don't appreciate taking the time to challenge philosophical views, but after a very long day, I like to keep it simple and fun.

Booksandauthors.net: 'Tell us about your new novel 'Galactic Star Force - Battle Fleet To the Stars' - How is this story different from most in the genre?

Clayton L. McNally: First, it is not a one-shot book. Two years went into planning the Universe, and mapping it out based on known scientific facts about our Galaxy. I have mapped out a model of surrounding star systems that allows for the growth of the series based on scientific data that could suggest life in some star systems.

Second, the book begins in the very near future. In this future, that forces humanity is forced "To The Stars". It is realistically possible for the future in the book to take place. Readers will easily identify with the future and see that the need to move to the stars is at least possible.

Third, "To The Stars" jumps technology and time at two different points in the book. Readers have expressed excitement in their emails on how both technology and time advance. It is a unique approach and it works very well.

Fourth, "To The Stars" has two main characters, male and female. Both share equal billing, have opportunities to rescue each other and might just find out if they have a relationship between them. They are young adults in the Academy thrown into a conflict that will boggle their minds, even as they discover great things within each of them. I believe it is important for young men and women to see that role models can be equals even if different genders and that people can view the opposite gender from a different point.

Fifth, "To The Stars" is filled with 'Ingenious space battles' a quote from Gregg Bradley, a noteworthy Sci-Fi author. If readers enjoy epic battles that are not easily predictable, Galactic Star Force is for them.

Sixth, "To The Stars" has realistic hand-to-hand combat scenes very clearly depicted in words. I am a Master Instructor in Kenpo Karate and have incorporated some techniques of the system into the fight scenes. I have modified some from textbook techniques to make them fit the stars' personalities.

Seventh, "To The Stars" is meant to be fun as you read it, while it has a very subtle and light bit of philosophy. It's a book you can sit back, relax and read - people tell me they have a hard time putting it down. 

Booksandauthors.net: 'In Galactic Star Force - Battle Fleet To the Stars' humanity has left earth because of nuclear and biological war -- With our recent exploration of Mars, novels like yours don't seem to be far off do they? Do you think man will one day live on another planet?

Clayton L. McNally: I have done frequent talks and the one that particularly amazes my audiences is 'Science Fiction or Science Fact'. If you go back to Captain Kirk and his technology, you'll find that many of the items there exist or are under development - today. In 2010 we should be going to Mars and it may be fueled by a matter/anti-matter drive. Laser technology is appearing in many of our daily lives, especially the military. By 2016 our new naval vessels will likely carry rail guns (EM Pulse, Laser or Particle beam) of some sort.

The Theory behind a warp engine is understood. Can we build it today? No, but it will happen. Teleportation has been successfully accomplished in the US with a single photon; how long will it take to do a person? Probably less than 100 years.

I am a firm believer that man will visit the stars. I suspect that business will drive the desire to go to space. A government alone cannot foot the bill; combined it is realistically possible. Business will always find a way if there is a profit in it, and I am certain profit exists in space for the daring. Space will become the 'gold rush' of this century. 

Booksandauthors.net: If Hollywood called tomorrow and said they wanted you to cast 'the film version of Galactic Star Force - Battle Fleet To the Stars' - What stars would you pick to play your lead characters and why?

Clayton L. McNally: Who would I like to see as stars? I am a strong believer in first, even fresh starts. We have kids at my school that had some trouble and working with them they have become great kids. I would like to find two relative unknowns (preferably who know Karate - Kenpo would be nice) and help them become future stars. What I expect the characters to act like will be critical to the role.
I have a set idea of each star and will look to find stars that can model the image I want.

If I had to choose for Jack L. Allan - I would look for a Harrison Ford or Mel Gibson, BUT much younger versions, at the age of 18-20 years old. Sam Stone is a tough one, only because there aren't a lot of "Action" women in movies out there. I would like to see a younger version of Renee Russo. These main characters are the kids next door, with lots of life and fun in them.

I have been in touch with a producer from NY, but I think this will be better served by an independent company with the capabilities to deliver not 1 but 3 movies over a 3-4 year period - a company that will see its potential. I believe that when you look at development and ROI, this book could bring investors upwards of 1 billion for each movie (including the after market). By the time any deal might emerge the first 3 books will be completed and the next 3 well along.

No man who sits idly by should expect great things to happen. If you believe in something you must commit your every action toward it. I hope to see Galactic Star Force on the big screen and I am working actively toward that goal.

Booksandauthors.net: What do you hope to achieve with your books? What do you hope readers will take away after reading your books?

Clayton L. McNally: I hope to provide a fun form of entertainment for my readers. At the same time I want to challenge their thoughts about the future and how it could be. I want the technology incorporated based on real capability. I want people to read it, put the book down and say "that could happen".

I also want to challenge views on how we should go into space. Do we go with hands open or with guns showing? It would be a shame for mankind to become the soldiers to the sentient peaceful beings of the Universe, but if we can't live in peace here, how are we going to live in space among really different species? I have a realistic concept of protocol an Earth based space program should follow for space travel and first contact, one that assures respect and peace.

 Booksandauthors.net: What has been your feedback from readers?

Clayton L. McNally: I have received numerous emails from readers and others can go to www.clmcnally.com to leave emails. People who don't usually read Sci-Fi have said it was very well written and they couldn't put it down. Avid readers of Sci-Fi have almost all asked the same question - when is the next coming out? Most readers tell me they finish the book in just a few days, they say it is too hard to put down.

I am most proud of the review Gregg Bradley gave my book (on BarnesandNoble.com), it is very pleasing as I have enjoyed his works immensely. In his review he said it was filled with "ingenious battles scenes and that it was one of the best Sci-Fi books he had read". Coming from an author I have read and very much enjoy it was exceptionally exciting for me.

Many readers have asked if any producers have contacted me as yet. I have spoken with one in NY and will see if it goes anywhere. I am actively seeking investors for enough funds to bring in a top Producer or Director. If I can achieve that, then further funds would be easier to come by for the first 3 movies, which could be ready for within 18 months to 2 years. 

Booksandauthors.net: What's next?

Clayton L. McNally: For the Galactic Star Force - Battle Fleet series:

"Surviving Behind Enemy Lines" is currently going through the edit process, if schedules are met it should be available by May 2008.

Book 3 - (the title will not be released at this time) is being written and if I meet publishing deadlines it should be completed by December 2007. At this time over 15 chapters are fully outlined and writing is proceeding nicely. Editing and final publication would be in 2009.

Book 4 -(title withheld) is in my version of "Story Board' setup. The Story board will be finished by September of 2008. Look for the book in 2010.

Books 5 through 15 are outlined at a high level, as I go through my process of writing, the outlines will become more detailed and Story Boards will evolve.

In my new series "Galaxy on Fire"  the first book is completed, and editing continues. A schedule hasn't been established for this series as yet. 

Booksandauthors.net: What was the last book you read?

Clayton L. McNally: The most recent books I am reading are two series; Vorkosigan Adventure by Lois McMaster Bujold and Honor Harrington by David Weber. I find both very interesting. They are different but with slight similarities for what interests me the most.

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

Clayton L. McNally: One of my jobs is my hobby. I own and operate East West Karate, located in Granby, CT. I have been studying Martial Arts for nearly 42 years and find the values learned are life skills that more people need to hear. Keeping physically in shape, enough to spar 15 minutes straight with people 30 years younger makes me feel good.

I teach by example to my students (ages 3 to 64) and hope to impact just a few lives with the life skills I teach. So much can be taught to young minds that will help them on the path of becoming the best they can be.

I have written a program called S.A.F.E. Kids which teaches children (4 to 17) how to deal with issues in their lives. Issues range from child abduction or abuse, Dealing with Bullies, Teasing and Peer Pressure to How to Handle Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco - keeping it out of their lives.

All of this has enhanced my writing in that I write exciting and fun space life including massive battles and I keep it clean. I have felt no need to incorporate bad language or graphic sex in my work. Each author will include or not include things that they feel ad value to their book, everything in life is a choice - I chose to exclude certain things. My stars may or may not have a relationship in any of the books, but if they do it will not be graphically represented.