Funeral Service Times August 2017 May 2019 | Page 20

20 PROFILE
From embalmer
to author
After leaving the trade in 2017, author Chris Wright speaks about his journey to becoming an author
and how he made the transition
D
uring the early stages of 2017,
north east embalmer Chris
Wright (who goes by the
pseudonym Max Flood) left
behind a career in the funeral service in
favour of chasing a dream. With writing
having always been at the forefront of his
mind, the release of his first novel Casey’s
Game was all that was needed to force the
novice author into making a life changing
decision. So as delighted as we are to
have finally pinned him down during his
busy schedule, this is what Chris had to
say when he spoke to us here at Funeral
Service Times.
Before we talk about your
latest release, can you tell us
what it was like to make the
leap from being an embalmer
to an author?
Scary, very scary. I suppose you could say
I’m still in my transition period, only now
instead of a mortuary I have a tiny office
to call my ‘workplace’ and a chair that I
keep meaning to replace. It’s comfy but the
wheel keeps falling off every time I reach
for the printer or lean back too far to look
at the clock. Anyway, for anyone thinking
of following in my footsteps consider this
a warning, writing is no easy task, if you’re
not being hit with rejection letters on a
Chris Wright
weekly basis or finding competition at
every turn… you’re doing it all wrong. This is
part and parcel of being an author so don’t
be discouraged. Now feeling like I’ve been
negative enough for one day, let’s get down
to the positives. Writing is like a boundless
energy that allows you to be creative on a
level that no other occupation will allow,
you get the chance to explore your passion
and reap the rewards you truly deserve.
So if you’re planning on trying a new
profession or just scribbling down a few
ideas, think carefully… then jump in with
both feet.
Tell us about Lundgaard.
Lundgaard is a fast paced action adventure
novel set in the fictional town of Harrington.
Following his retirement from the Special
Forces, Michael Lundgaard is shocked to
find himself at the centre of a huge military
MAY 2019
cover up that doesn’t just threaten to ruin
his unblemished reputation, but erase his
name from every military record… like
he never even existed. With his former
superior, the ruthless and notably psychotic
Colonel Rupert Mustoe hot on his tail along
with a few of his old comrades, it isn’t long
before the noose around Michael’s neck
starts to pull tight and he’s left with no
option but to call upon his extraordinary
skills for help. With two decades worth
of military knowledge crammed under his
belt, the former major sets out on a mission
of his own to bring down those sent to
turn his new life upside down, the kind
of mission that has the potential to bring
Harrington to a standstill. With everything
to lose including a future with girlfriend
Catalina Ramos, Michael knows this is a
fight he can’t afford to lose. The hunt is on.
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