51726 hr2 cover art

51726 hr2

51726 hr2

Listen for free

View show details
In this segment of Eye on the Target Radio, host Amanda Suffecool interviews bestselling author Jack Carr at SHOT Show, discussing his background, writing process, and upcoming projects. Carr talks about returning to SHOT Show for the first time since 2020 and describes the event as a reunion filled with energy, creativity, and support from fans. Amanda shares how excited listeners were when they learned she would be interviewing him, with many sending questions and praising his books. Carr explains that he knew from the age of seven that he wanted to become a Navy SEAL. Growing up with a librarian mother, he developed a deep love for reading and storytelling. Influenced by thriller authors such as Tom Clancy, Nelson DeMille, and David Morrell, he unknowingly built a foundation in storytelling while also studying nonfiction books on terrorism, insurgencies, and military leadership. Carr explains that his combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan allow him to write fiction that feels emotionally authentic because the emotions and reactions in his stories are drawn from real-life experiences. Amanda describes reading Carr's novel Cry Havoc as an intense and emotional experience, saying she frequently had to stop reading and walk around because of the suspense. Carr reveals that much of the novel was inspired by interviews with MACV-SOG veterans from the Vietnam War. He explains the extensive historical research required to accurately portray 1968-era weapons, gear, and mindsets without accidentally introducing modern perspectives or technology. To immerse himself in the era, he surrounded himself with authentic Vietnam-era equipment, including watches, knives, and firearms while writing. The discussion then shifts to Carr's larger fictional universe and the multigenerational storylines woven throughout his books. Fans had asked whether he planned to continue exploring earlier generations of his characters, possibly even further back in history. Carr says he enjoys building family legacies into his stories, inspired in part by author Stephen Hunter and his Swagger series. While he does not currently plan to go as far back as ancient history, he hints that additional historical stories are possible. Carr also discusses his writing pace, explaining that he aims to publish at least one book per year and recently added nonfiction to his portfolio. He mentions his nonfiction work Targeted Beirut, focused on the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which earned recognition on the Marine Corps Commandant's reading list. Amanda asks whether Carr's publishers ever challenge the detailed firearm and tactical realism in his books. Carr says he has been fortunate to maintain complete creative control and that his editors and agent encourage him to continue emphasizing authenticity because readers deeply value accuracy, especially gun owners and military enthusiasts who immediately notice mistakes in other novels. Finally, Carr introduces his upcoming novel The Fourth Option, releasing in May. Unlike his previous books, this novel launches an entirely new series with new characters and a new universe. He describes it as a modern interpretation of the classic western-style "stranger comes to town" story inspired by the television series Have Gun – Will Travel. Carr explains that he begins every novel by outlining the ending and overall direction before allowing the story to evolve naturally as he writes. In this continuation of Eye on the Target Radio, host Amanda Suffecool continues her conversation with bestselling author Jack Carr before transitioning into an in-depth interview with firearms trainer and entrepreneur Kevin Dixie of "No Other Choice" firearms training. Carr discusses his creative process in greater detail, explaining that before committing to a book, he writes what amounts to a back-cover summary for himself. He then evaluates whether the idea is compelling enough to devote a year or more of his life to writing. If it passes that test, he develops an outline while always keeping the ending in mind. Carr says the villains are often the most interesting part of the process because each new book requires entirely new antagonists after the previous ones have been eliminated by protagonist James Reece. Amanda and Carr also discuss the importance of authenticity and reader engagement. Carr shares stories about secretly signing copies of his books in airport bookstores and posting clues for fans on social media. He says one of the most meaningful aspects of his career is hearing from readers who connect deeply with his work or rediscover reading because of his novels. Carr emphasizes that readers are trusting him with their limited time, which motivates him to approach every page with care and purpose. The conversation turns philosophical as Carr explains how fiction helps build empathy by allowing readers to experience the world through someone else's perspective. He argues that reading books develops emotional...
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet