A Conversation with Crime Novelist Mike Witzgall

with Michael E. Witzgall

We are delighted to welcome crime novelist Michael E. Witzgall to Omnimystery News today.

Mikes debut thriller is Sentinel's Choice (CME Publishing; December 2013 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had a chance to catch up with him to talk about it.

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Omnimystery News: Sentinel's Choice is your first novel. Is it also the first of a series?

Photo provided courtesy of
Michael E. Witzgall

Michael E. Witzgall: I want to eventually write some stand-alone stories with new and different characters. My preference for now, however, are the series type stories where I can evolve the characters gradually over time. For instance, in my recent book the protagonist, Ren LaFleet, loses his leg at the end of the story. Based on the loss (that I have personally experienced) LaFleet will have change in order to adapt to this new life. It would be almost impossible to do that in one book.

OMN: We characterized the book as a "crime thriller". Would you agree with this?

MEW: This would be both a murder mystery and a thriller. I personally like books/stories to cross-over into several genres. I think this keeps the reader interested and more importantly, guessing the outcome!

OMN: Give us a synopsis of Sentinel's Choice in a tweet.

MEW: An intense, and at times humorous, "who-done-it" mystery that crosses into the thriller genre.

OMN: You mentioned that you have personally experienced the loss of a leg, and incorporated that experience that into your character. Have you included any of your other personal or professional background into the story or character?

MEW: I'm a veteran of both the military (and combat) and law enforcement. That is what I enjoy writing about and that's why this story takes place in Dallas, Texas where I earned my badge.

OMN: Describe your writing process for us.

MEW: I develop my story conclusion first. That's the "where I want this to go" part. Then, based on the characters that I have created a biography for, I develop the story. I also write an overview/outline; but I have found that my overview/outline constantly changes. So I have to be very flexible in my writing.

OMN: How do you go about fact-checking the plot points of your story?

MEW: A lot of my writing is based on personal experience. But with that said, I spend a great deal of time doing research either on the Internet or calling friends that are still on the job. I personally dislike books that exaggerate to the point that they characters or their actions are not close to factual. I do not mind poetic license (that makes a book fun); however when a story crosses into the absurd, I lose interest.

OMN: You told us the story takes place in Dallas, where you earned your badge. How true are you to the setting?

MEW: I want my stories to be accurate in everything from geography to the policies and procedures of the Dallas Police Department. I want my characters to give the reader insight into the real world of law enforcement.

OMN: What is the best advice you've received as an author?

MEW: Best advice is that I have to keep trying. Don't get discouraged. If you need to take some time off from your story, do so. My goal is to write everyday — about 500 to 1000 words — but sometimes that is too difficult with my work schedule. I find when I come back to my story after a short break, I am refreshed and I have better focus.

OMN: What questions do you most enjoy hearing from your readers?

MEW: Did this really happen to you in the military or law enforcement? Are your characters based on real people?

OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?

MEW: I couldn't read or write until I was a senior in High School. My older brother would read to me what he liked. My favorites were books like Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan and the John Carter series. After I learned to read, I would read anything from any genre I could get my hands on! I still do. I chose the mystery/thriller genre to write in because it fits my background and experience.

OMN: Did any of your outside interests find their way into your book?

MEW: Definitely so! I am an avid jock! I work out every day (running, biking, swimming and weight lifting). I've also been involved in the martial arts since age 5, so of course all this finds its way into my books.

OMN: What's next for you?

MEW: Working on the sequels to Sentinel's Choice is my big work project. I am looking at retiring from law enforcement (training) in the next two years to free up my time for writing.

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The son of a career military officer, Michael E. Witzgall spent 12 years on active duty as a noncommissioned and commissioned officer (mostly carrying a rifle, rubber boat, and dive equipment running up and down the beaches of sunny California). While in the military, Mike served in the Marine Corps elite Force Reconnaissance teams and then later as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Infantry and Military Police Corps.

In 1988, after numerous deployments around the world, Mike left the military as a Captain and joined the Dallas Police Department. His career with Dallas ended after a severe line of duty injury forced him into early retirement. Currently, Mike is co-owner of Charlie-Mike Enterprises, which specializes in teaching courses such as Hazardous Warrant/Apprehensions, Basic and Advanced SWAT, Basic and Advanced Police Rifle, Hostage Rescue, and Counter Paramilitary Operations.

Mike loves a good mystery and Sentinel's Choice is his first novel. He lives with his wife and an assortment of large dogs just south of Dallas. For more information about the author and his work, please visit his website at MikeWitzgall.com or find him on Facebook.

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Sentinel's Choice
Michael E. Witzgall
A Crime Thriller

As a member of the elite U.S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance teams, Renee LaFleet learned hard lessons about survival. This is where he met the brother of his heart, Navy SEAL commander, Richard Shannon, under the harsh conditions of hand to hand combat. But nothing he experienced in Iraq prepared him for the evil he would face as a homicide detective in Dallas, Texas. At least in battle you know the enemy.

When bodies start turning up all murdered in the same manner, Ren is confronted with the unthinkable possibility that his best friend, Father Richard Shannon might be involved. Ren must decide where the bonds of brotherhood end and his duty as a Texas Peace officer starts.