Joe Clark Unveils His Journey From Engineer To Award-Winning Author

PHOTO: Joe Clark, an award-winning author, shares insights from his remarkable journey from telecommunications engineer to celebrated novelist.

Exploring Themes Of Resilience, Morality, And Complex Characters

Joe Clark discusses how his diverse experiences influence his writing, exploring personal challenges and societal themes through richly developed characters in his novels.

Joe Clark’s journey from a disciplined upbringing in Norfolk, Virginia, to the creative landscapes of literature is nothing short of remarkable. His incisive storytelling draws upon a wealth of experience—both personal and professional—that shapes the vivid narratives found in his novels. Award-winning and acclaimed, Clark’s works invite readers to explore the intricate interplay between personal challenges and societal issues, deftly weaving themes of resilience, morality, and the complexities of human nature.

Clark’s debut novel, Survive, introduces readers to Captain Lisa Maxwell, whose struggles to adapt after her service in Afghanistan resonate deeply in an era where the impacts of military life are increasingly scrutinised. Following this, The Walshes plunges into the enigmatic world of April Walsh, a suburban housewife who bravely navigates the murky waters of the sex industry. This bold exploration of taboo subjects showcases Clark’s commitment to unflinching honesty in his character portrayals.

Recognised for his exceptional writing, Clark’s novel “Demented” received long-list recognition for the Book Viral Millennium Book Award, affirming his status as a formidable voice in contemporary fiction. With each story, he crafts “deliciously flawed” characters who reflect real-world dilemmas, making his narratives not just relatable, but also profoundly impactful.

As readers engage with Clark’s work, they are invited to traverse the landscapes of his life—through the trials of military service, the rigours of a technical career, and the poignant reflections on loss and resilience. This interview offers a glimpse into the mind of an author whose dedication to storytelling serves as an inspiration for aspiring writers and a delight for literature enthusiasts alike.

Joe Clark is a masterful storyteller whose poignant narratives and complex characters captivate readers and inspire aspiring writers to pursue their craft.

How did your experiences serving in Vietnam and your subsequent career in telecommunications influence the themes and characters in yournovels?

Military service was a rude awakening for me. I had been raised in a strict Catholic family and attended Catholic schools. I even spent some time studying for the priesthood.

Army life was the exact opposite of that upbringing. It was crude and amoral. I was forced to become comfortable with a seamier lifestyle. April Walsh faces a similar awakening in The Walshes when she takes on an assignment to write an expose of the sex industry.

My career as a telecommunications engineer coincides with my life as a married man. I married my first wife just before graduating from college and starting my career with Western Electric. Engineers and marriage figure prominently in my stories.

April’s husband, Joe, is an engineer looking for a job after having been laid off, a situation I have dealt with several times. In Demented, Cindy’s husband, Eric, is a computer systems engineer.

Mac in MacGregor’s Final Battle is a retired engineer who had recently lost his wife of 40 years.

In “Survive,” Army Captain Lisa Maxwell faces significant personal and external challenges upon returning from Afghanistan. What inspired you to create her character and her journey?

Lisa Maxwell was inspired by then Congresswoman, now Senator Tammy Duckworth, who was injured when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq.

“The Walshes” delves into the life of April Walsh, a suburban housewife who embarks on an undercover investigation into sex work. What motivated you to explore such a complex and controversial topic?

While writing “Survive”, I discovered writing sex scenes is challenging. Like many other writers, I was squeamish about putting the details in print.

I decided to write a story in which my female main character would be routinely in situations that required detailed descriptions of sex. But I didn’t want her to be a prostitute with or without a heart of gold. April Walsh, suburban housewife and aspiring writer, takes on an undercover investigation of the sex industry in nearby Washington, D.C. and ends up working as an escort. She is an outsider learning about the business as she digs up information for her story.

Your novel “Demented” was long-listed for the Book Viral Millennium Book Award in 2020. How did this recognition impact your writing career?

The recognition means a lot to me. It shows an appreciation of my work by people who have never met me. That is a real boost to my confidence. It helps me continue writing.

It has not helped me find an agent or a publisher. I have not seen any evidence that it has boosted book sales.


After a 40-year career in telecommunications, what prompted you to pursue writing full-time, and how has your technical background influenced your storytelling?

This is a return to writing for me. I have been a writer all my life and a successful one in small venues. In 1984, I began working toward getting my stuff published. In January 1985, my wife died. Family responsibilities and a demanding job forced me to put my writing career on hold.

After I retired, I had time. I got involved with some writers’ groups. One encouraged me to write Survive, my first novel. Another helped me figure out how to publish it.

I steer away from deep dives into technology – I don’t think they belong in novels. My science and engineering did come into play in Survive when my characters got into working with radioactive materials. I had to keep reminding myself that the terrorists were building the bombs, not me.

I want readers to see and experience life through my characters.

Your characters often face moral and ethical dilemmas in challenging situations. How do you approach developing these “deliciously flawed” characters?

I seem to have a knack for developing relatable characters. I give them flaws that are exposed by the situations they find themselves in.

April Walsh has committed to the standard moral code for married women, but she is ambitious. Faced with a choice between violating that code or doing nothing, she ditches the code.

Bridget Allen was a normal, strong intelligent woman who loved her kids and her parents but married a weak, abusive man. After ending the marriage she discovered that sex work pays better than office work.

Adan Jackson is sadistic and rich. He gets his way too easily. He has no sense of limits.

Jack Edwards is guided by his sense of right and wrong more than by the law. When he meets Eve, he realizes what she’s doing is illegal, but he sees her as a good person. He believes Troy Mondale was railroaded, so he’s reluctant to pursue evidence that Troy committed a crime when he
met with the Jacksons.


Having traveled to your ancestral homes in Scotland and Ireland, have these experiences influenced any settings or themes in your books?

The travels have not influenced my writing so far.

What advice would you offer to aspiring authors who are transitioning from a different career into writing?

Be sure you’re in it for the long haul. Instant successes are rare. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Study the craft. Read some of the excellent books available. The Great Courses by The Teaching Company include some excellent videos that aren’t outrageously expensive.

Work with other writers – help them and get their help.