My Interview with Nike Chillemi

Nike: FREEDOM IS NOT FREE has as it's main character, Houston Police Officer named Rashard “Stone” Williams, who is in an elite fugitive task force known as the “Ghost Squad." How did you come up with this storyline?


King James: I wanted to do a detective novel, but I wanted to put a twist on it. I felt that a member of a fugitive task force would have a lot of action to write about.


Nike: I like your hero's name, Rashard "Stone" Williams. What does the "Stone" stand for? And, are you planning a
series around this character?


King James: My character’s nickname came from his exploits on the gridiron. He was a star linebacker in high school and in college. The name actually stuck with him because of his tackling ability. Rival teams would often say being hit by Rashard was like running into a stone wall. The name just stuck with him. I do plan on having a series with this character. I am currently working on a new book with this character in it.


Nike: What draws you to the detective, police procedural type of story?


King James: As a kid growing up I would watch shows like Miami Vice, Spencer for Hire, and Magnum P.I. I enjoyed those shows and that is part of the reason why I like those type of stories. They are filled with suspense and action, which I love.


Nike: I noticed in your bio that you have a military background and that you became interested in writing while stationed in Iraq. Tell us about that?


King James: I kept a journal when I was in Iraq. After the journal keeping I decided to write stories. I decided to write my first book in Iraq, called Urban World. I got it printed a few years later after the war.


Nike: Describe a particularly compelling scene from FREEDOM IS NOT FREE and tell us what the point of the scene is and how it drives the story forward. A compelling point in the story is when


King James: Rashard gets the news of his father’s death. His death was totally unexpected and it pulls the reader into the story because they want to know what happens next.


Nike: Ultimately, what do you hope your readers will get out of FREEDOM IS NOT FREE?


King James: I want the reader to walk away thinking that everything in life is not perfect. There are things that we have to fight for in life and we have to stand up when something threatens that way of life.