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Sunrise to Sunset:
Interview with Patrick Greenwood
By Carin Chea
Military veteran and information technologist Patrick Greenwood is that rare breed of writer who didn’t simply fall into writing one day. While many of his peers would say, “I’ve always been a writer,” Greenwood has truly been a professional writer for much of his adult life.
From authoring cyber security blogs to acting as a valued liaison for the FBI, Greenwood (who has enough material for many thrilling summer blockbusters to come) has now ventured into fictional work.
Contrary to his technical and fact-based career, the author has ventured into unexpected territory as a writer – romance.
Sunrise in Saigon (released this year) marries Greenwood’s expertise and life experiences. The result? A thought-provoking, wistful page-turner with enough suspense to hold the Golden Gate Bridge.
You’ve worked in the area of information technology for the past few decades. When did you start writing?
I’ve been in cyber almost 25 years. I was writing for people, writing their blogs, for the last few years. I’ve always loved to write.
I decided to create fiction writing based on my experiences cycling around the world.
Are you also a ghostwriter?
I write ghost blogs for cyber security startups. I write content and blogs and use case studies to convert their geniuses into something people will consume. While I’m writing my novels, I do enjoy getting my hands into the cyber technology stuff.
I also write a lot of keynote speeches. The FBI hires me to do speaking. The FBI has been more public in the last 10, 15 years about breaches because they want the public to be aware. I’ve seen the FBI and CIA being much more open with breaches and things.
That’s what motivates me in my writing to come out with this information from my past experiences. I tackle the bitcoin and hacking component in the next few books [following Sunrise in Saigon].
It seems you have always been a writer in the field of information technology. How was the transition to fiction writing?
Sunrise in Saigon was inspired by true events. It’s historical fiction, but also a thriller with suspense and romance.
It starts off with a young man seeing the end of the Vietnam War on the news. A lot of us growing up in the 70s remember the war, but we never knew why it was.
Jack (the protagonist) has this life journey, but it took him until his late 40s and 50s to go on this adventure to Vietnam.
By then, his life is like everyone else’s – challenging health, troubled marriage. He meets a very nice young lady online named Linh, and he becomes intrigued by her.
How much of Sunrise in Saigon was based on your life experiences?
In real life, President Ford in 1975 (along with Catholic nuns) organized Operation Babylift where they landed military transports in Saigon while the North Vietnamese armies were at the city gates.
The nuns rushed these children to busses to rush them to the safety. About 1500 children got out.
In the book, Jack always wondered about those nuns. What happened to them? Why didn’t they leave as well? Part of Jack’s journey is not only meeting Linh, but also meeting these nuns.
When he finally gets the chance to meet them, he sees how strong and passionate they are about their faith. He becomes inspired by their courage and says, “I’ve got to fix my marriage, I’ve got to fix things with my family.”
This journey ultimately influenced him to be a better person.
This book is also about getting people to support a great organization, Helmets for Kids. The proceeds of this book go towards getting helmets for children in Vietnam.
I’m an avid cycler, and while cycling through Vietnam, I saw how many children were going against cars and motor scooters and it was frightening. This organization helps provide helmets to children in Vietnam.
What inspires you as a writer?
Social issues. When I was in the water business in Vietnam, I remember looking into these children’s mouths and seeing black because they were drinking only sugar water. They couldn’t afford pure water.
Then, I’d cycle four kilometers away and people were eating caviar.
I took over a water plant in the worst district possible. It lasted a couple years until the bribes and everything became a problem.
What bribes?
It’s a 3rd world country. I was back in the U.S., not in Vietnam. The police kept coming by the plant and saying, “you don’t have the right part,” and this and that, and asking for money.
It got to be so much that I eventually liquidated it. I used the water money and gave it directly to the nuns.
Tell us about Sunrise in Saigon. You’ve given us a great synopsis, but what would you say your novel is about?
It’s about seeing that life journey that burns inside your heart, that you have to do. For Jack, part of that was seeing this sunrise with Linh while laying together, knowing that’s never going to happen again.
That sunrise happened on 12-12 of 2012, a moment they knew would never happen again. That was their peak. That’s why that picture [on the front of the book] was so critical.
It’s also about addressing the burning desire to see your journey through. If Jack had stayed and sat at home instead of visiting Vietnam, he would’ve died of diabetes, and probably end up divorced.
He really needed to take that journey and trust that it was the right thing to do. It was a very long road to recovery for both him and Linh.
Who would play the main characters if Sunrise were made into a movie?
Alec Baldwin. Jack was overweight, having troubles in his marriage, having bricks thrown at him. I see Jack as an Alec Baldwin.
Ms. Bui [a helpful hotel manager] would be Michelle Yeoh. She is actually a global ambassador for Helmets in Vietnam.
Her love in the book is Forest Adams. He would be played by Gene Hackman. Linh, because she’s in her 20s, could be played by any upcoming Asian actress.
Are there any upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?
I’m working on book 4, 5, and 6 of the series right now.
Oh my gosh! There are six parts?
There’s actually 7, but parts 4, 5, and 6 are the most immediate.
By the time Jack gets to part 6, Sunset in Paris, he’s a mess. His children have grown to be awesome people, but he’s lost women.
Parts 2 and 3 of this series are more fictional and more focused on cyber-hacking. There is a bit of bitcoin and cyber-hacking, but (obviously) also romance.
The next book deals with the modern-day problem of China hacking Taiwan.
What message do you want to send across with your book?
The journey of life needs to be taken. Do not be afraid of where you end up.
Sunrise in Saigon has a very strong ending. I think everyone has a Jack or Linh in their heart.
When you do decide to change who you are, you have to live with that consequence. A lot of people are scared of making that journey because they wonder what they’ll do afterwards. Don’t be afraid to take the journey regardless of the outcomes.
For more information, please visit https://CycleWriterLLC.com.
For information on donating to a great cause, visit https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/one-helmet-one-life/.
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