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Author Revealed

William C. Dietz
Photograph by Joseph Walsh Photography

William C. Dietz

William C. Dietz is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including Halo: The Flood and the Legion of the Damned series. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the Navy and the Marines, and graduated from the University of... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Work hard and hope for the best.
Learn more about William C. Dietz
William C. Dietz Revealed
About William C. Dietz
  • What is your birthdate?:
    1/30
  • Previous occupations:
    I was a Navy medic, college student, TV news writer, TV director, college instructor, TV producer, corporate communications manager, and director of PR and marketing for a small telecom firm.
  • Favorite job:
    The one I have now.
  • High school and/or college:
    Lincoln High, Seattle, and the University of Washington, Seattle
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    Roy Orbison
  • Favorite movie:
    The Magnificent Seven (Seven Samurai)
  • Favorite television show:
    The Daily Show
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. I have been incredibly fortunate.
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Work hard and hope for the best.
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. My wife, a good book, and a beautiful beach. Oh, and a Corona too!
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Writing poorly.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. On my deck looking out over the water.
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. A man working in a rice paddy in Asia.
Q. Which living person do you most admire?
A. Muhammad Yunus
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. You know.
Q. What do you regret most?
A. My lips are sealed.
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. I wish I could draw.
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. Taking care of my family.
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. Impatience.
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. Loyalty.
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. Myself at age 18 knowing everything I know now.
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. My haircut.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Richard Sharpe
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. The Cardinal de Richelieu, The Three Musketeers
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. I would love to meet Winston Churchill. He would talk--I would listen.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. Hypocrisy.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. Travel.
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. Writer.
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Honesty, loyalty, and intelligence.
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. Pot roast!
Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
A. Amazing Grace (on bagpipes), Moonlight Sonata, Ring Of Fire, Unchained Melody, Running Scared
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. Mark Twain Robert Louis Stevenson Bernard Cornwell C.S. Forester Franz Kafka Douglas Reeman Rudyard Kipling Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. Treasure Island The Three Musketeers Huckleberry Finn Mr. Midshipman Hornblower The Trial
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. Write, write, and write some more.
Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. Variations on "thank you." Fortunately most of the people who don't like my books are too polite to say so.