Retiree Turned Novelist: Writing Becomes His Passion

Raised in Knoxville, TN, Bill Walker spent eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve and then enjoyed a long career with United States Gypsum Co. in various marketing and sales management positions. But now that he’s retired Walker seems busier than ever. 

Walker has many hobbies that he enjoys: fly fishing, photography, playing guitar and writing music. Lately, he’s added a new passion to his list and this time it’s one that we can enjoy with him. That is his venture into writing. 

Bill Walker, pen name Alex Walker, is the proud author of a new action/adventure book called Toltec, published by Deeds Publishing. This book is the first in a trilogy. The second is already written and being held by the publisher to come out at a later date. Walker is working on the third book now. 

On his website Walker describes his novel Toltec as “a fast paced historic adventure story about our two main character’s incredible action packed journey in search of a lost city and the vast treasures hidden within by Indians of the ancient Toltec civilization that once inhabited it. A startling discovery is made that leads our characters to a most improbable and explosive conclusion.” Sounds exciting. 

Walker enjoys working on this writing project. He thinks it’s important to, “keep yourself and your mind busy.” When I asked about some of his writing techniques he commented that, “I feel able to project myself into the scene I’m writing, so that I can visualize what will happen next.” His favorite thing to do is “keep the reader hanging at the end of a chapter.” That always makes me want to turn the page.

Walker likes researching the facts that he’s including in his novels. He works and writes about three hours a day. He likes to insert what he calls “shreds of truth” throughout his writing. He says that it helps the story “come alive and allows the reader’s imagination to envision reality as the tale unfolds.” 

Congratulations to Walker on the publication of his first novel Toltec. More information about Walker and his book can be found on his website www.alexwalkerauthor.com.